About behavioral problems
Tantrums, defiance or aggressive behaviour that are frequent and intense can strain family life. Interventions usually involve the parents, with practical strategies for routines, limits and communication, and work with the child adapted to their age.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Yemen
Public health system · Ministry of Public Health and Population
Public specialist care is limited to four government mental hospitals (Sana'a City, Taiz, Al-Hodeidah and Aden) and outpatient mental health clinics in some public hospitals, which may be suspended because of staff and budget shortages. Ministry figures put the number of psychiatrists at about 59 in 2020 for around 30 million people. A National Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026 was finalised with WHO support. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Yemeni Supreme Medical Council. The Supreme Medical Council, created in 2000, is the official body that grants medical practice licences after a licensing exam. Because of the conflict it currently operates from both Sana'a and Aden; ask the doctor for their council licence.
Urgent help in Yemen
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: emro.who.int, emro.who.int, newarab.com, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Signs to look out for
All children test limits and have tantrums at times. It may be worth seeking help when defiance, aggression, intense tantrums, lying, breaking rules or destructive behaviour are frequent, last for months, happen in several settings such as home and school, and cause problems with family life, learning or friendships. Sudden changes in behaviour can also signal stress, anxiety or difficulties elsewhere.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Parent training programmes based on behavioural principles have strong evidence for children’s behaviour problems. Family therapy and cognitive-behavioural approaches for the child or teenager, including emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, also help. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists, family therapists and educational psychologists usually lead the work. An assessment can identify contributing factors such as ADHD, learning difficulties or anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager is seriously hurting themselves or others, has a weapon, is missing, or talks about suicide. Seek urgent help too if you suspect drug use with signs of intoxication. If you feel you might lose control and harm your child, step away safely and seek support immediately; asking for help is responsible.
What you can do in the meantime
Notice and praise specific good behaviour, and spend a little one-to-one time each day doing something your child enjoys. Keep rules few, clear and consistent between adults, with calm, predictable consequences. Avoid shouting and physical punishment, which tend to worsen behaviour. Look after your own stress and sleep, and talk to the school to work together.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Yemen cover psychological care?
Public specialist care is limited to four government mental hospitals (Sana'a City, Taiz, Al-Hodeidah and Aden) and outpatient mental health clinics in some public hospitals, which may be suspended because of staff and budget shortages. Ministry figures put the number of psychiatrists at about 59 in 2020 for around 30 million people. A National Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026 was finalised with WHO support.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Yemen?
Yemeni Supreme Medical Council: The Supreme Medical Council, created in 2000, is the official body that grants medical practice licences after a licensing exam. Because of the conflict it currently operates from both Sana'a and Aden; ask the doctor for their council licence.