Psychiatrist or psychologist in Greece? Who to see, and when

Both can provide psychotherapy, but only a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, so only a psychiatrist can rule out a medical cause, prescribe medication or write a medical certificate. If you mainly want to talk things through, you can start with a psychologist or with a psychiatrist who provides psychotherapy. Start with a psychiatrist when symptoms are severe, medication may be needed, or you are not sure what is going on.

What each one is, in Greece

The psychologist

A psychologist holds a degree from a university psychology department and a licence to practise. Without the licence, nobody may practise or use the title (Law 991/1979) [1]. Psychologists carry out psychological assessment (for example psychometric tests), counselling and, with the right training, psychotherapy. They do not make medical diagnoses or prescribe. Their code of ethics says they do not give medical advice and refer you to a doctor when the problem needs one [2]. That is not a weakness of the profession; it is a clear division of labour.

The psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who then trained as a specialist. The Ministry of Health sets a minimum of five years of specialty training in psychiatry [3]. Because they are doctors, psychiatrists can look for medical causes of your symptoms, prescribe medication, and issue medical certificates after examining you [4].

What psychologists do that psychiatrists usually do not

Some work belongs mainly to psychologists. Giving and interpreting psychological tests is a professional activity of psychologists under their code of ethics [2]: for example intelligence tests, neuropsychological testing of memory and attention, and the assessment of learning difficulties such as dyslexia. At this practice, when dyslexia is suspected, we refer you to a psychologist for that assessment. Many psychologists also work with couples, families and children, which this practice does not offer. A good psychiatrist knows when the right next step is a psychologist.

Psychotherapy: who may offer it

The Ministry of Health told Parliament in April 2026 that psychotherapy is a therapeutic act that neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists may practise. The titles «psychotherapist», «mental health counsellor» and «life coach» are not protected by law [1]. So when someone calls themselves a psychotherapist, ask which profession they belong to, what training they have in the method they use, and whether they have supervision. Good professionals answer these questions without difficulty.

When to start with whom

Seek help when worry, low mood or shyness systematically gets in the way of your relationships, your work or your daily functioning – not only when you feel uncomfortable. You do not need to reach that point to talk to a psychologist or a psychotherapist; it is the point at which a psychiatric assessment matters. Then look at the two lists below.

If you mainly want psychotherapy, a psychologist or a psychiatrist who provides psychotherapy is a good first step if

• you are under stress, going through a loss, a breakup or a big change, and still function most days;

• your low mood or worry is mild to moderate and you want a place to talk and learn practical skills;

• you do not want medication. A psychiatrist does not prescribe automatically either; psychotherapy without medication is often the first choice.

For less severe depression, current guidance advises starting with the least intrusive effective option and not offering antidepressants routinely as the first step, unless you prefer them [5].

A psychiatrist is the better first step if

• you have thoughts of harming yourself, or you cannot keep yourself safe;

• you are barely sleeping, eating or working, or this has lasted for weeks;

• you have periods of very high energy and little need for sleep, hear or see things others do not, or feel strongly that people are against you;

• you already take psychiatric medication, or you think you may need it;

• alcohol or drugs have become part of the picture;

• you suspect a medical cause, or you need a medical certificate. Physical conditions, such as thyroid problems, can bring mental fog and anxiety and can mimic or worsen ADHD or an anxiety disorder; the physical problem is treated first, and the rest of the picture is read afterwards;

• you want an assessment for adult ADHD. At this practice it is done by the psychiatrist, with the structured DIVA-5 interview, usually over two 45-minute sessions.

If you do not know, do not wait to know

Many people stall on this exact question. Two traps are common. One is black-and-white thinking: «I am either bad enough for a psychiatrist or not worth anyone’s time.» The other is waiting until the worry goes away before booking. When avoidance keeps a problem alive, waiting for the anxiety to pass does not help. A small, concrete step does. When energy is low, action comes before mood. Book first, feel ready later.

And if you walk through the «wrong» door, is that a failure? No. A good psychologist or psychiatrist will tell you so and point you to the right one.

Medication or therapy? It is not either-or

A visit to a psychiatrist does not mean automatic medication, and a visit to a psychologist does not rule it out. For major depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a meta-analysis of 52 randomised trials found that adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication worked better than medication alone [6]. So when medication is used, it is worth asking about therapy alongside it.

Options are laid out and decided together. Often a psychotherapy attempt comes first, with medication as an alternative if therapy alone is not enough. If medication is chosen, side effects are discussed with a timeline and a trial period, and we check together how it is going. Guidelines say the same in principle: discuss the options so that they match your needs and preferences [5]. After the appointment the doctor decides what is appropriate; nothing is promised in advance.

For adult ADHD, the therapy side is CBT that is structured and short, focused on skills for the present rather than on the distant past. And the order is clear: assessment first, then treatment, so that the diagnosis guides the choice between therapy, medication or both.

When the two work together

This is often the best arrangement. The psychologist sees you every week or two for therapy. The psychiatrist sees you less often to review the diagnosis and, if needed, the medication. With your consent, they share what matters. If you see a psychiatrist who also provides psychotherapy, as I do, both can happen in one place.

When it is urgent

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 112, the European emergency number, free of charge [7], or the ambulance service EKAB on 166 [8]. The 24-hour Suicide Intervention Line 1018 is anonymous and confidential, and you can call it from any phone in Greece [9]. Do not wait for an appointment.

If you are a foreigner or a tourist in Greece

Language matters in this work. Sessions at this practice are in English or Greek, in person in Trikala or online anywhere in Greece. Psychiatrists can prescribe in Greece through the electronic prescription system, which can send the prescription to you by SMS or email instead of printing it [10]. If you have no Greek social security number (AMKA), the doctor can still issue an electronic prescription with your passport and email. There is no EOPYY reimbursement, so you pay the full price at the pharmacy. A code arrives by email and you give it to the pharmacist. This also applies to tourists and to controlled medicines. Whether a prescription is appropriate is decided by the doctor after the appointment. Read the full guide on prescriptions without AMKA.

What it costs here

A session at this practice costs 130 €. An adult ADHD assessment usually takes two 45-minute sessions. I cannot speak for the fees of other professionals, so ask each one before you book.

How to book

If you are unsure which of us you need, say so when you book. If I am not the right person, I will tell you. See psychiatric evaluation, psychotherapy and adult ADHD, or book an appointment. Trikala, Karditsa, Kalambaka and online across Greece.

Sources

1. Ministry of Health, reply to Parliament, Protocol No. 9969, 28/4/2026 (Law 991/1979; Presidential Decree 157/1991 on psychotherapy; «psychotherapist», «mental health counsellor» and «life coach» are not legally protected titles). https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/67715b2c-ec81-4f0c-ad6a-476a34d732bd/13278530.pdf

2. Code of Ethics for Psychologists, Ministerial Decision Γ5β/Γ.Π.οικ.42984, Government Gazette B’ 2344/18.6.2019, article 4 (referral to a doctor; no medical advice). https://dsanet.gr/Epikairothta/Nomothesia/YA%202344_2019.htm

3. Ministry of Health, “Training in the medical specialty of Psychiatry”, Ministerial Decision Γ5α/Γ.Π.οικ.48900/27.6.2019, Government Gazette B’ 2745/3.7.2019 (minimum duration 5 years). moh.gov.gr (11615)

4. Code of Medical Ethics (Law 3418/2005), articles 1 and 5 (medical act; medical certificates after examination). https://isathens.gr/images/nomoi/kodikas_iatrikis_dentologias_2025.pdf

5. Kendrick T, et al. Management of depression in adults: summary of updated NICE guidance. BMJ 2022;378:o1557. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1557

6. Cuijpers P, et al. Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis. World Psychiatry 2014;13(1):56-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20089

7. General Secretariat for Civil Protection, European emergency number 112. https://civilprotection.gov.gr/sites/default/files/syskepsh_gia_112.pdf

8. Ministry of Health, “166 EKAB – Useful telephone numbers”. https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/citizen/xrhsima-thlefwna-amp-dieythynseis/196-166-ekab

9. Ministry of Health, Suicide prevention – Intervention Line 1018 (KLIMAKA). moh.gov.gr (12793)

10. IDIKA, Paperless electronic prescribing of medicines (announcement 28/3/2020, last modified 14/12/2023). https://www.idika.gr/ayli-ilektroniki-syntagografisi-farmakon-ilektroniki-syntagografisi-farmakon-se-chronios-paschontes/