Find Licensed Psychologists in Brazil

Our directory helps you search for and connect with psychologists across the country.

Qualified psychologists must be registered with their local Regional Council of Psychology (Conselho Regional de Psicologia – CRP) and follow the guidelines set by the Federal Council of Psychology (Conselho Federal de Psicologia – CFP). This registration ensures they meet the required professional standards, giving you confidence in their qualifications.

We verify that all featured psychologists (our Pro members) hold a valid and active CRP registration.

You can easily filter your search by location (state or city), the types of issues they address (such as anxiety, depression, or relationship concerns), or use identity filters—such as male or female—to find a psychologist you feel comfortable with.

• Psychologists by Gender in Brazilian Cities
• Types of Psychologists in Brazil
• Qualifications to Look For
• Key Tips for Choosing the Right Psychologist

Psychologists by Gender in Brazilian Cities

São Paulo

Rio de Janeiro

Types of Psychologists in Brazil

Thinking about finding a psychologist in Brazil? It's helpful to know a bit about how they might differ.

The most important thing first: all practising psychologists in Brazil must be registered with their regional council, the Conselho Regional de Psicologia (CRP). This registration number is your guarantee they have completed the required university education and are legally allowed to practice.

Beyond this essential registration, psychologists might focus on different areas or use different approaches. It's less about strict "types" with different licenses, and more about their chosen area of focus or specialisation after their main degree.

Here are some common areas you might encounter when looking for therapy:

Clinical Psychologist (Psicólogo Clínico):

This is perhaps the most common area people think of for therapy.

• These psychologists work directly with individuals, couples, or families to help with emotional, behavioural, and mental health issues.
• They assess and treat concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, grief, and more.
• They might work in private practices, clinics, or hospitals.
• Often helps with: Personal therapy, managing mental health conditions, improving well-being.

Health Psychologist (Psicólogo da Saúde):

These psychologists focus on how psychological factors affect physical health and illness.

• They often work in hospitals or healthcare settings.
• They might help people cope with chronic illness, manage pain, prepare for surgery, or adopt healthier behaviours (like quitting smoking).
• Often helps with: Coping with illness, managing health-related stress, changing health behaviours.

School/Educational Psychologist (Psicólogo Escolar/Educacional):

These psychologists work within educational settings.

• They support students' learning, social, and emotional development.
• They might help with learning difficulties, behavioural issues at school, or provide guidance to students, parents, and teachers.
• Often helps with: Learning challenges, school-related behaviour issues, student well-being.

Neuropsychologist (Neuropsicólogo):

This is a specialised area focusing on the relationship between the brain and behaviour.

They often assess and help treat cognitive or behavioural problems resulting from brain injury, stroke, dementia, or developmental conditions (like ADHD).

Often helps with: Cognitive assessment after brain injury, understanding learning disabilities related to brain function.

Different Therapeutic Approaches:

It's also good to know that psychologists, especially clinical ones, often use different therapeutic approaches (methods or theories). You might see terms like:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental - TCC)
• Psychoanalysis (Psicanálise)
• Gestalt Therapy
• Humanistic Psychology

These approaches guide how the psychologist understands problems and works with you. Many psychologists list their primary approach on their profiles.

Qualifications to Look For

When you choose a psychologist, you want to know they have the right training and are accountable. In Brazil, the system is clear and designed to protect you.

Here’s the most important thing to look for:

CRP Registration Number: This is essential.

• Every psychologist legally practising in Brazil must be registered with their regional Conselho Regional de Psicologia (CRP) – the Regional Council of Psychology.
• They will have a unique CRP number, often followed by the region (e.g., CRP 06/xxxxx for São Paulo).

What CRP Registration Means:

• It confirms the person has completed a full university degree in Psychology from a recognised institution (usually a 5-year program in Brazil).
• It means they are legally authorised to practice psychology.
• It shows they are bound by the Code of Professional Ethics for psychologists, ensuring responsible and ethical care.

How to Confirm Registration:

• Psychologists usually display their CRP number on their professional profiles, websites, or practice information.
• Don't hesitate to ask for their CRP number if you don't see it. It's standard practice.
• While direct online public verification might vary by region, the psychologist should readily provide their number. Being registered is a mark of professionalism.

"Psicólogo" is a Regulated Title:

Similar to other countries, the title "Psicólogo" (Psychologist) is protected in Brazil.

• Only individuals with the required university degree and active CRP registration can legally call themselves a psychologist and offer psychological services.

Key Tips for Choosing the Right Psychologist

Finding a psychologist is more than just checking their CRP number. It's about finding someone you feel comfortable with and who feels like the right fit for you. This connection, often called the therapeutic relationship, is crucial for therapy to be helpful.

Here are key tips to guide your choice in Brazil:

Think About What You Need Help With:

• What brings you to therapy? (e.g., anxiety, relationship issues, feeling down, work stress).
• Look at psychologists' profiles (like on therapyroute.com). Do they mention experience with the issues you're facing?
• Some psychologists might highlight areas like "ansiedade," "depressão," "relacionamentos," "estresse."

Consider Their Therapeutic Approach (Abordagem):

• Psychologists in Brazil often work from different theoretical perspectives (e.g., TCC - Cognitive Behavioural, Psicanálise - Psychoanalysis, Humanista - Humanistic, Gestalt).
• You don't need to be an expert on these! But sometimes reading a brief description might resonate more with you.
• It's perfectly okay to ask a potential psychologist: "Qual a sua abordagem de trabalho?" (What is your working approach?).

Focus on Feeling Comfortable (O 'Fit'):

• Do you feel you could talk openly with this person?
• Read their profile. Do they seem empathetic and understanding?
• Trust your initial feeling – often called intuition (intuição). Feeling safe and respected is vital.

Check the Practical Details:

• Format: Do you prefer sessions in person (presencial) or online (online/remoto)? Is their office (consultório) easy for you to get to?
• Availability: Do their appointment times (horários) work for you? Is there a waiting list (lista de espera)?

Cost (Valor da Sessão):

• What is the fee per session? Can you afford this regularly?
• Ask if they offer a 'social price' (valor social) or different fee options if cost is a barrier.
• Important: Check carefully if your private health insurance (plano de saúde) covers psychotherapy sessions and what the conditions are (e.g., reimbursement, specific network). Coverage varies widely.
• The public health system (SUS) may offer psychological services, but availability and access can be limited and vary by location.

Use the First Contact:

• Some psychologists might offer a brief initial phone call. Use this to ask basic questions.
• Pay attention during the first session (primeira consulta/sessão). How do you feel during and after?
• Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask about:
• Their experience with your concerns.
• What to expect from therapy with them.
• Confidentiality (sigilo).
• Their cancellation policy (política de cancelamento).

It's Okay to Change Your Mind:

• Finding the right therapist can sometimes take more than one try.
• If after a few sessions, you feel it's not a good fit, it's okay. You have the right to find someone you feel truly comfortable and connected with.

Choosing a psychologist is an important step in taking care of your mental health. At TherapyRoute.com, we’re here to help you find the right professional for your journey. Understanding the basics can empower you to take that first step with confidence.