Services · Nicosia
Counselling sessions
You do not need something serious to talk to a psychologist. Counselling helps you get through a hard patch, sort out your thoughts and find your own strengths.
What counselling is
Counselling sessions are meetings with a psychologist where you talk about something that is on your mind right now. They often focus on one particular issue: a change, a decision, a relationship or a stressful time. The psychologist listens without judging, helps you see things from another angle and supports you in finding what works for you.
Counselling does not mean someone tells you what to do. It means having a trained person beside you who helps you think more clearly, so that you can make your own decisions.
Many people find that simply saying out loud what is weighing on them, to someone who is not a friend or relative, makes them feel lighter. The psychologist has no stake in your story and will not be hurt or annoyed by what you say. That gives you room to speak freely, hear yourself and notice what really matters to you.
Who it is for
Counselling is for adults, teenagers and parents going through a hard or uncertain time. Some examples:
- a big change, such as a move, a new job or retirement
- a break-up or a loss
- pressure at work or in your studies
- struggling to make an important decision
- low self-esteem, or a feeling of being stuck
- questions about your role as a parent
- settling into a new country or a new language
Counselling and psychotherapy
Counselling and psychotherapy are very similar, and one often leads into the other. Counselling usually focuses on something happening now. Psychotherapy can go deeper, into patterns that keep repeating or difficulties that have lasted a long time.
You do not need to know in advance which one you need. Tell us what is going on and we will look at it together. If it turns out that something else would help you more, we will tell you honestly.
How it works at our centre
Our team includes clinical and counselling psychologists, all registered with the Cyprus Psychologists' Registration Board. Sessions take place in person in Latsia or online, in Greek, English or Romanian.
About GeSY: at the moment only clinical psychologists are contracted, and you need a referral from a doctor. The inclusion of counselling psychologists has been voted through, but when this page was written it had not yet started. So, for now, sessions with a counselling psychologist are private. Please check what applies with your doctor or on gesy.org.cy.
Your first session
In the first session you talk about what brought you and what you hope to get from counselling. You do not need ready answers. It can help to think beforehand about why you are asking for support now and what you have already tried. It is also your chance to ask questions and see whether you feel comfortable with the psychologist.
What you share stays confidential, apart from the few situations set out in law.
If you need help right now
Counselling is not an emergency service. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 112 or go to the A&E department of your nearest hospital.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a counselling and a clinical psychologist?
Both are registered psychologists with postgraduate training. Counselling psychology puts more weight on the relationship and personal growth, clinical psychology on assessment and treatment of mental health conditions. In practice they overlap a lot.
Is counselling covered by GeSY?
The inclusion of counselling psychologists in GeSY has been voted through but had not started when this page was written. Please check with your doctor or on gesy.org.cy.
Can teenagers come?
Yes. For under-18s we need the parents' consent. We will explain how we work with teenagers.
Can I have counselling online?
Yes. You can have sessions online, in person or a mix of both.
See all our services
Sources and further reading
- NHS: Counselling
- Σύνδεσμος Ψυχολόγων Κύπρου
- Sigmalive: Parliament approves inclusion of counselling psychologists in GESY
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a psychologist or doctor.