Guide
When to seek help
Not every hard time needs a professional, but danger to life needs help straight away. This page sets out the options in the Czech Republic so you can choose the one that fits.
This guide helps you decide where to turn: when the support of people close to you may be enough, when it makes sense to see a psychologist or psychotherapist, when a doctor or psychiatrist should come first, and when to call a crisis line or emergency number right away. It lists services that operate in the Czech Republic.
When people close to you may be enough
A difficult week, a hard conversation, a loss you are grieving, a decision you keep turning over. Often the first help is a friend, a partner or a family member who listens. Sleep, time and ordinary routines also count.
If talking it through helps and things slowly get lighter, that may be all you need. If the same weight keeps coming back, or you have no one to talk to here, a professional is a reasonable next step.
When to see a psychologist or psychotherapist
It makes sense to see someone like me when:
- what you feel has lasted for weeks and is not easing
- it gets in the way of work, sleep or relationships
- you notice the same patterns repeating and can't get out of them
- you start avoiding places, people or tasks because of how they make you feel
- a doctor has examined your physical symptoms, found no clear cause, and stress seems to play a part
You don't need a diagnosis or a referral for my practice. You can write to me directly.
When a doctor or psychiatrist should come first
See a doctor, or a psychiatrist, when:
- you have physical symptoms that have not been examined yet
- you are thinking about medication, or have questions about medication you already take
- your sleep, appetite or ability to function has changed sharply
- you can't manage daily life at all
A psychologist, me included, does not prescribe medication. Your GP (praktický lékař) can examine you and refer you on. Therapy can run alongside medical care.
When to call right away
If you or someone else is in danger, don't wait for an appointment or a reply to a message.
- 112, the EU emergency number. Free and available 24 hours a day. Operators are also prepared to communicate in foreign languages. Call it if anyone's life is in danger.
- 155, the medical emergency service (Zdravotnická záchranná služba). Call it for a medical emergency.
- 116 123, the First Psychological Aid Line (Linka první psychické pomoci). For adults in crisis and the people close to them. Free, anonymous, 24 hours a day.
- 116 111, Linka bezpečí. For children and students up to 26. Free, anonymous, 24 hours a day.
- 116 000, the Family and School Line (Linka pro rodinu a školu). For families, parents, children and teachers, including when a child is missing. Free, 24 hours a day, on standby at night.
The details of 112 and 155 come from the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic (hzscr.gov.cz).
Where to turn: a summary
| Situation | Where to turn |
|---|---|
| A hard period that slowly eases when you talk about it | People close to you |
| Low mood, anxiety or stress lasting weeks and affecting daily life | A psychologist or psychotherapist |
| Physical symptoms that have not been examined | Your GP or a specialist |
| Questions about starting or stopping medication | Your doctor or a psychiatrist |
| Worry about a teenager | A consultation for you as a parent; for the teenager, a child and adolescent psychologist; in crisis, 116 111 or 116 000 |
| An adult in acute crisis, or someone close to them | 116 123 |
| Danger to life | 112 |
| Medical emergency | 155 |
Last updated 1 October 2026
Questions and answers
Do I have to be in a crisis to start therapy?
No. People start therapy for all sorts of reasons, including a sense that something keeps repeating or that life feels heavier than it should. You don't need to wait until things get bad.
Do I need a referral to see you?
No. My practice is self-paid and you contact me directly. A referral from a doctor is not needed.
What if I am not sure my problem is serious enough?
You don't have to settle that question alone before you get in touch. A first session is a reasonable way to find out what kind of help, if any, would make sense for you.
Someone close to me is in crisis. What can I do?
If their life is in danger, call 112. The First Psychological Aid Line on 116 123 also supports people close to an adult in crisis, free and around the clock. For worries about a child or teenager, 116 000 is the line for families and parents.