FAQS
Take a look at our Therapy in Barcelona FAQs, you might find the answers you are looking for
Have a look, click on the question about therapy in Barcelona
Can you prescribe MEDICATION
Therapist GENDER
Explain THERAPY APPROACHES
Is ONLINE or IN OFFICE better
Are ONLINE sessions cheaper
Does therapist AGE matter
Are more EXPERIENCED therapists better
Why can’t you DIAGNOSE
Where are the therapists LOCATED
Can I be on two therapist WAITLISTS
begin
How can I book a session at Therapy in Barcelona?
The quickest way to a therapy appointment is to complete our intake form so we have all the info to match you to a therapist. Alternatively, you can book a free discovery call if you prefer to chat with someone.
Therapy in Barcelona’s Intake Coordinators will usually respond to you within 24 hours Monday – Friday (except national holidays).
Depending on the volume of requests we receive we can offer online and in-office therapy appointments as soon as you and the therapist have availability, usually within a few days to a couple of weeks.
If the appropriate therapist at Therapy in Barcelona has a waitlist we will give you referrals in-house, the option to go on their waitlist, or referrals out in the community if you cannot wait.
When you reach out to Therapy in Barcelona, we offer two options: you can book a free discovery call to ask questions and discuss your situation, or you can fill out an intake form that helps us understand your concerns and preferences.
The intake process isn’t a hassle; it’s an essential step toward effective therapy. We ask about what’s bringing you to therapy, how long you’ve been together, whether you’ve tried therapy before, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This information allows us to match you with a therapist who has relevant experience with your specific concerns.
Some potential clients find this information-gathering tedious and just want to book an appointment. We understand that impulse, but taking time to match thoughtfully increases the likelihood that therapy will actually help. It’s worth the extra few minutes at the beginning.
What happens in therapy sessions?
Read this article for a rough road map of starting therapy in Barcelona with our English speaking therapists in Barcelona or online. Preparing for your first session is important; consider your goals, your concerns, or, if you are unsure, then come as you are. Your and your therapist will collaborate on how to move forward.
In your first sessions, we’ll be clarifying your concerns and mapping out a plan to achieve your goals. You will have completed the intake form before starting therapy in Barcelona and your therapist will be familiar with the information you provide.
Later consultations allow you space to explore, perhaps giving you appropriate coping skills.
Your therapist will tailor the therapy to your needs and goals. Your therapist’s tailored therapy approach to helping will depend on the therapeutic framework they use, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused, Person Centred, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Existential, Psychoanalytic, Somatic Therapy, EMDR, Art Therapy and many more.
If you don’t feel a fit with your therapist in Barcelona, just get back in touch with our Intake Coordinator and we can organise a new match, no problem.
What to expect
free session
Is the first session free?
The first therapy session is not free. It’s an initial session that is 50 minutes long to get to know new clients and begin to assess goals and needs to enable tailored therapy approaches.
You can see our therapists’ current fees on the therapy fees page.
Why don’t you meet our team of qualified English speaking therapists in Barcelona and find out who you’d like to work with?
Do you take insurance?
Therapy in Barcelona is a private and confidential service. You must pay your therapist directly and then submit the invoice to your insurer for possible reimbursement.
Your therapist can provide invoices for your sessions. However, we cannot guarantee that your insurer will reimburse you. Please check your policy before booking, including:
• Whether therapy is covered
• The percentage or amount reimbursed
• Whether the therapist needs a Spanish colegiado number
• Whether you need prior authorisation or a medical referral
All our therapists have training in psychology or psychotherapy. However, they do not all practise as registered healthcare psychologists in Spain. This means only some can include a Spanish colegiado number on their invoices. Please ask us for more information.
VAT may apply depending on the therapist’s professional status and the type of service provided. If you are self-employed and wish to claim therapy as a business expense, please check your eligibility with your gestor or tax adviser.
Payment methods vary by therapist and may include bank transfer, Bizum, WISE, or cash. We will confirm your therapist’s preferred payment method before your first session.
therapy payment and insurance
i need to cancel
What if I need to cancel a session?
If you want to change or cancel an appointment, we require two working days, or 48 hours* notice to give us a reasonable chance to fill that appointment time.
If you don’t keep an appointment we will charge you the full fee for it, as it could have been given to another client in need.
Please note, we reserve the right to move in-office sessions online if a therapist or client is ill, quarantined, or a lockdown is in force.
*Each of our therapists’ policies may differ and they will let you know this in the first session.
What if I am late for a session?
If you let us know you will be late, then we will wait until you arrive and complete the remainder of time left in your session with you.
If you do not let us know that you will be late, then we will wait 20 minutes for you before counting it as a missed session and charging you full fee for late cancellation*.
*Our therapists’ policies may differ and they will let you know this in the first session.
i'm late
Therapy
packages
Are there any therapy packages?
We prefer not to offer packages upfront* so you can change therapist or service freely.
However, some of our therapists offer packs of sessions only if you feel there is a fit. Ask your therapist if they offer packages once you start working together.
Do you offer fee reductions?
Sometimes trainee therapists offer reduced fees. Please contact us to see if we have any interns currently collaborating with us.
Some of our therapists offer a sliding scale to accommodate changes to their fee structure if you are unable to afford the fees and are in genuine need. However, these places are in high demand and usually taken.
Take a look at what clients that have seen one of our therapists from Therapy in Barcelona say.
discounts
We don't
What we don’t do
DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS
PRESCRIBE MEDICATION
We can offer referrals to appropriate services.
Can I speak to someone urgently?
Our sessions are by appointment only.
We are not a crisis service and cannot guarantee immediate response to contact outside of booked sessions.
If you are in crisis, see our resources page for hospitals and helpline numbers.
EMERGENCY
discovery call
Why isn't the discovery call with a therapist?
The goal of the free, no-obligation discovery call is to explore the next steps with you and match you to a suitable therapist.
Our Intake Coordinator will call you via Whatsapp to understand your concerns and find the best fit for you or recommend an external referral.
Can I book two therapists at once?
No, we allow only one booking at a time, to allow other clients in need to be able to also see one of our qualified therapists in Barcelona as soon as possible.
You can book a session with one therapist and then if you feel there is not a fit, you can easily change professional!
2 Therapists
waiting room
When should I arrive for my first session, is there a waiting room available?
No, there is no waiting room available, but there are several cafes very close to our office on Carrer de Parìs.
Please buzz just minutes before your session and your therapist will attend to you.
Please note that your therapist will likely be in session just before seeing you, please be patient and wait for them to open the door.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Once you get in touch, our Intake Coordinators will respond to you within 24 hours to advise you of the next steps or a match.
It will depend on the availability of the most adequate therapist from Therapy in Barcelona for you.
We won’t just match you with any available therapist if they do not offer a fit with your needs. We will try to find you the earliest available therapy session with the therapist/s whose experience and skill fit your needs and goals.
We offer the opportunity to be on the waitlist of the most appropriate therapist for your concerns.
Alternatively, we’ll offer an external referral if you, or we, assess that you cannot wait.
Your care is always our priority.
waiting list
longer sessions
Can I have the first session longer than 50 minutes?
The first session is generally always 50 minutes but some collaborators prefer to offer 90 minute sessions, especially with couples.
Ask the Intake Coordinator about session length when booking the appointment.
Can I book more than one therapy session in advance?
Yes! After your first therapy session with your therapist it is best to arrange 6-8 subsequent therapy sessions in advance directly with your therapist.
It is recommended to book 6 to 8 sessions in advance as good therapeutic outcomes come from consistent therapy attendance.
Read more about why weekly therapy sessions matter.
Advance sessions
holidays
If my therapist is on holiday can I see someone else in the meantime?
Yes. You can see another therapist our team for a fill-in therapy session, just reach out to us to organise this.
Can I have a first therapy session with a couple of therapists to see which one would be the best fit?
We can book appointments with only one therapist at the time.
If after the first couple of therapy sessions of starting therapy in Barcelona you feel that your therapist is not the right fit, please contact us so we can facilitate a new match to a more suitable therapist.
various therapists
online therapy
How do online therapy sessions work?
Online therapy sessions in Barcelona are just like in-office therapy sessions in Barcelona, except that online therapy can present technological challenges that we cannot control at times.
For your confidential teletherapy session to remain private, it is important for you to choose a time and place that enables you to fully engage in the online therapy session without the possibility of interruption. Please remove any other distractions and use headphones to prevent unwanted sound feedback.
The link to join your therapist online in the online therapy session will be in your booking email or your online therapist will send you a link.
You will need to schedule an online therapy appointment at a time that suits both our time zones if you are not in Barcelona, Spain. Our time zone is CET [Central European Time].
Please check The World Clock Time Zone Converter to determine the difference in time between your location and Barcelona. Missed online therapy sessions will be charged if you have not attended to the time difference when scheduling appointments.
How do I pay for my therapy session?
You will pay for your first therapy session via direct deposit, Wise or Bizum, whichever method your therapist prefers.
You will need to pay at the time of booking to confirm your session. This is to ensure therapists’ time is used effectively as it reduces no-shows.
We will provide therapy payment details in the booking email.
After the first session, your therapist will tell you their preferred method of payment which may be cash, direct deposit, Bizum, Wise transfer or some other method that works for you both.
You can see all therapists’ fees here
Therapy Payment
gift certificates
How do gift certificates for therapy sessions work?
A Therapy in Barcelona Gift Certificate makes for a great gift. Gift Certificates delivered by email include a unique 8-digit code.
A Gift Certificate is valid for online or in office sessions. Contact info@therapyinbarcelona.com to organise your sessions.
Let us know the unique Gift Certificate code and complete an intake form so we can match you to a therapist for your sessions.
There may be a wait time if the best match therapist for you has a wait list.
Your Gift Certificate will be valid for three months after the date of purchase. The exact expiration date will be included on the Gift Certificate.
Which type of therapy is right for me?
There might be several types of therapy styles that are a good fit for your needs!
Our team of qualified therapists in Barcelona offer different therapies and tailored therapy approaches. We will make a match but the final choice is yours.
Keep in mind that all of our collaborating therapists use a combination of techniques from different types of therapy tailored to suit you and your needs.
It’s OK to try one approach, find that it doesn’t work for you, and try a different type.
We offer Internal Family Systems (IFS), Existential, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We also offer Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Attachment Therapy, Interpersonal, Psychodynamic Therapy and Body-Centered, or Somatic Therapy approaches.
Further we offer REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy), Relational Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Schema Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) MiCBT, Positive Psychology, and Third Wave Cognitive Therapy approaches, including Mindfulness.
Therapies
number of sessions
How many therapy sessions do I need?
We usually recommend at least 6-8 weekly sessions to start with. However, the number and frequency of appointments you will need depend on many factors.
It has been found that weekly online or in office therapy sessions for 12-16 weeks are most productive, but that varies depending on the client and the concerns.
You can speak with your therapist about it during the first therapy session.
Remember, if you don’t feel a fit with your therapist, you can always come back to our Intake Coordinator and request another match.
What is the general goal of therapy?
Overall the goal of therapy is to improve your well-being.
Whether that is helping you to achieve your potential, improve relationships, deal with anxiety or depression, or learn strategies to cope, the goal is usually to feel better.
Therapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Getting better calls for an active effort on your part and takes time. For therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things talked about both during sessions and at home.
Our English speaking therapists in Barcelona will do their best to assist you. However, therapists cannot offer you a guarantee you will find the outcome you are seeking, particularly if you are attending relationship counselling.
Goals
homework
Will I have therapy homework?
Some of our therapists at Therapy in Barcelona include homework as a part of the therapeutic process.
Homework can make therapy more effective and clients who do it consistently may have better outcomes.
You can speak to your therapist about this during the first session.
If I have less frequent therapy sessions (biweekly, monthly), does it mean it won’t work as well?
If you go to the gym infrequently will you get the same results as if you attend consistently?
Therapy is like the gym in this respect. Starting therapy in Barcelona requires a consistent weekly commitment for the first 6-8 sessions at least. Read more about the importance of weekly sessions when commencing therapy.
Depending on the severity of your concerns and your needs, in some cases moving to biweekly or monthly sessions after the initial period is sufficient for a client to maintain their well-being.
You can speak to your therapist about their recommendation of the frequency of your sessions.
session Frequency
Telling People
Should I share with my family/ friends that I go to therapy?
It is your decision whether to share with your family and friends that you go to therapy.
Of course, we think therapy is great and we are all for breaking mental health stigma!
Why do therapists have different fees? Is the therapist with a higher fee better?
Our therapists set their own fees.
You can see the current fees by clicking here.
It is not an indicator of one therapist being better than another.
It is true that less experienced therapists may charge less but some therapists keep their fees lower to make therapy more accessible.
Therapist Fees
Sharing Therapists
Can I see the same therapist as my partner, family member or friend?
In our care for clients, we suggest seeing a different, unbiased therapist from the one your partner is seeing.
This provides a safe environment and no conflict for a therapist due to the unintentional influence of work with one client on work with another.
If your friend or family member’s therapy is not about your relationship, it is possible they can see the same therapist.
Please ask our Intake Coordinator or your therapy therapist at Therapy in Barcelona for more guidance.
My partner doesn’t want to go to therapy, but might join later on.
Can I start individual therapy sessions, and have my partner join in couples therapy sessions? OR Can my individual therapist also be my couples therapist?
We recommend seeing a separate therapist for individual counselling sessions and a couples therapy therapist for couples therapy sessions.
Once you start seeing your therapist you develop a relationship of trust and safety: it’s your confidential therapy space.
If your partner is keen to join couples therapy, it’s best to find an unbiased couples therapy therapist to see you together.
You can see two different therapists at the same time (one for individual, and one for couples therapy sessions).
Unbiased
Medication
What if I need medication, do you have a doctor?
We don’t have a doctor or psychiatrist on our team, but we can refer you to English speaking doctors or English speaking psychiatrists in Barcelona.
Is it better to see a male, female, or non-binary therapist?
The most important thing is that you are seeing a therapist who provides confidential therapy services in a private and non-judgmental space for you.
There might be a preference of seeing a male, female or non-binary therapist depending on the concerns that bring you to therapy and, ultimately, the choice is yours. The fit between you and the therapist is key to successful therapy.
Gender
Approaches
What are the different therapy approaches?
Different therapies take different approaches. Different therapeutic approaches are effective for different issues and clients. Therapists often combine therapuetic approaches to tailor therapy to each unique client. Our English speaking therapists offer tailored therapy approaches.
Third Wave and Cognitive Therapies are more goal-focused and work on thoughts and behaviours. Homework and concrete strategies for changing your relationship to thoughts, feelings and situations are standard.
Psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and humanistic therapies seek to change behaviours, thoughts and feelings by exploring the past, interactions in the therapeutic relationship, and unconscious motivations.
Humanistic therapies emphasise free will and your ability to make decisions for yourself. Themes of self-responsibility, meaning, and respect for your lived experience are paramount. Deep discussions or creative interventions are common.
Your previous experience of what was useful in therapy and your preferences are important.
You can switch therapists at any time and try a new approach if that feels right for you.
Online therapy vs in-person therapy in Barcelona? Which is better?
Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. Online therapy sessions are just like in office therapy sessions in Barcelona, except that online therapy can present challenges that we cannot control at times.
In-person therapy is a unique experience that cannot be replicated by online therapy so we do recommend in-office therapy sessions if you are in Barcelona and able to take the time to come to the Therapy in Barcelona offices.
Online therapy or in office therapy
Online Fees
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy in Barcelona?
Online therapy sessions are the same price as in-person therapy appointments in Barcelona. Fees for therapy range from 85 Euros to 100 Euros per 50-minute therapy session in 2026. Check out our fees page for more detailed information.
Online therapy requires the same expertise, preparation, care and commitment from our qualified therapists in Barcelona who will be seeing you.
Is therapy as successful with a young therapist?
A therapist’s age is not an essential factor for a successful therapeutic outcome.
Research* suggests that over 80% of the positive outcomes of therapy are due to the relationship between a therapist and client. The therapist’s warmth, empathy, and respect for the client are key to the therapy relationship.
*Sharpley, Jeffrey and McMah (2006)
Therapist Age
Therapist Experience
Is a more experienced therapist better?
Although some clients feel better and prefer to work with a more experienced therapist, or with a therapist of a certain age, research* has not shown experience as an indicator for a successful therapy process.
Our team are experienced, highly qualified, psychology-trained professionals who offer their services as therapists in Barcelona.
*Goldberg, S., Rousmaniere, T., Miller, S., Whipple, J., Nielsen, S., Hoyt, W., & Wampold, B. (2016).
Why can't you provide a diagnosis? Does it mean you are not a psychologist?
All of our therapists in Barcelona are psychology-trained in their home countries, so yes! they are all psychologists.
However, most of them offer their services as therapists and counsellors in Barcelona or Spain and not under the title of psychologist in Spain, so they do not provide formal diagnoses or psychological assessments while working in Spain.
If you are looking for a diagnosis, we can offer you a referral outwards.
We can also let you know which therapists on our team offer their services as Clinical Psychologists in Barcelona or Spain, as they can provide formal diagnoses or psychological assessments while working in Spain.
Diagnoses
Location
Do all therapists work in the same office or do they have their own offices?
Therapy in Barcelona has a beautiful and inviting office located in a stunning Modernista building in the beautiful Eixample Esquerra neighbourhood in Barcelona.
Our whole team of therapists in Barcelona work from Carrer de Paris 162, 3o, 1a 08036 Barcelona.
Daniela offers services in office in the Ibiza neighbourhood in Madrid.
You can see a link to a map and info about parking, public transport and bicing for our Barcelona therapy offices on our contact page.
We also offer online counselling too.
Can I be placed on a waitlist for more than one therapist?
Yes. We do offer the opportunity to be on the waitlist for more than one therapist if they are both a suitable fit for you.
The wait can be from 2-6 weeks and we will update you on the waitlist about once every 2-4 weeks, depending on how much movement there is.
When a new time slot is opened you will be notified immediately. Due to the high demand of intakes received it is crucial to hear back from you within 24 hours from when the appointment is offered. That way it is not offered to another client in need.
Please respond to our appointment offer even if you are not available. If we do not hear back from you we will remove you from the waitlist.
Make sure our email address is whitelisted (add info@therapyinbarcelona.com to your contacts) so it does not go to spam and you can take advantage of our latest updates!
Your care is always our priority.
Two Waitlists
Double Session
Can I book a double session?
You can book only one therapy session for the first counselling session with your therapist.
Speak to your therapist about having more than one session in a row for subsequent meetings.
Can I book two therapists at once?
No, we allow only one booking withe one therapist for either online or in office therapy at a time, to allow other clients in need to be able to also see a therapist as soon as possible.
You can book a session with one therapist at Therapy in Barcelona and then if you feel there is not a fit, you can easily try a session with another professional!
Two Therapists
Practitioner Type
What is the difference between psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and coaches?
In Spain, these titles do not all have the same legal or professional status.
Psychologist
A psychologist has completed a recognised university degree in psychology. A psychologist practising in Catalonia will be registered with the Col·legi Oficial de Psicologia de Catalunya, known as the COPC, and have a colegiado number.
However, a psychology degree and COPC registration alone do not qualify someone to provide healthcare psychology services. Psychologists may work in non-healthcare areas such as education, organisations, research, community support or personal development.
General Health Psychologist
A Psicólogo General Sanitario is a psychologist who has completed the official Master’s degree in General Health Psychology or holds an equivalent legal authorisation.
They can provide psychological assessment and treatment within private healthcare settings in Spain. They must be appropriately registered.
Clinical Psychologist
A Psicólogo Especialista en Psicología Clínica holds Spain’s official specialist qualification in Clinical Psychology, usually obtained through the competitive PIR residency programme.
Clinical Psychologists can work within the Spanish public health system, hospitals and specialist mental health services, as well as in private practice. “Clinical Psychologist” is a protected specialist title in Spain and should not be used simply to describe any psychologist who provides therapy.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialist training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication and provide medical treatment. Some also offer psychotherapy.
Psychotherapist or therapist
Psychotherapist and therapist describe the type of work someone provides rather than one specific state-regulated profession in Spain.
A psychotherapist may originally have trained as a psychologist, psychiatrist or another professional and then completed additional psychotherapy training. Because backgrounds vary, you should check the person’s original qualification, specialist training, professional registration and scope of practice.
Counsellor
A counsellor provides structured emotional support for concerns such as relationships, grief, adjustment, stress and life transitions. Counselling is not a regulated healthcare profession in Spain. Training standards therefore vary, and a counsellor should not present themselves as a psychologist or provide regulated healthcare psychology services unless they also hold the required qualifications.
Coach
A coach usually helps with goals, decision-making, performance, habits or professional development. Coaching is not a regulated healthcare profession in Spain. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions unless they separately hold the appropriate healthcare qualification.
At Therapy in Barcelona
Our team primarily includes internationally trained psychologists and psychotherapists with different international qualifications and professional registrations. Not every therapist practises as a registered healthcare psychologist in Spain or holds a COPC colegiado number and they will not work outside of the legal limits applied around their work, so they won’t offer diagnoses or formal psychological assessments.
Our Intake Team will explain each therapist’s qualifications and help you choose someone whose training and scope of practice fit your needs. If you require a Psicólogo General Sanitario, Clinical Psychologist, COPC registration or a colegiado number for insurance purposes, please tell us before booking.
You can read more in our blog post: The Difference Between Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Psychotherapists
