Reviewed byAruzhan NurkenovaPsychologist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- a psychologist with a university degree in psychology and additional training in specific counseling methods
- Format
- in person at our clinic in Almaty or online; individual sessions, couples, parents, and separate sessions with teenagers
- Duration
- a session lasts 50–60 minutes, up to 90 minutes for couples; brief counseling is 3–6 sessions, in-depth work takes longer
- Confidentiality
- professional confidentiality; you can book without giving your last name; information is not shared with your employer, university, or relatives
- When it’s urgent
- thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm yourself — don’t wait for an appointment, call 112; for children and young people, call 150
- Outcome
- a clear goal, new ways of coping with difficulties, better relationships, and an understanding of whether you need a doctor’s help
What to know
The people who come to a psychologist in Almaty are most often those whose lives are, on the whole, “fine” — but living has become hard. An IT specialist drained by an endless sprint who no longer enjoys the work he used to love. A young woman from Shymkent who moved to study at KazNU and hasn’t found her place in the huge city. A couple from the Turksib district who only ever talk about the loan and the kids. The mother of a teenager who answers in monosyllables and spends his nights on his phone. These are all reasons to see a psychologist.
A psychologist is not a medical doctor: they don’t make diagnoses or prescribe medication. Their tools are conversation, psychological methods, and exercises that help you see a situation differently, understand your reactions, and try new ways of acting. This format is a good fit when the main difficulty lies in relationships, decisions, or emotions rather than in illness. If during a session the psychologist sees signs of depression, an anxiety disorder, or addiction, they will tell you so directly and suggest a consultation with a doctor at the clinic.
When to book a session with a psychologist
- you’re constantly worn out by work, and even a vacation doesn’t bring back your interest
- it’s hard to adjust to a new city, university, or team, and you feel lonely
- resentment keeps building up in your relationship, and conversations end in a fight or silence
- you can’t find common ground with your teenager, and there’s constant tension at home
- you’re facing a hard decision — divorce, a career change, a move — and you feel stuck
- you notice that you criticize yourself often and can’t stop
- you want to talk to a neutral person rather than to friends and family
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Where the difficulties people bring to a psychologist come from
Most requests are linked to overload and change. Almaty is a city people move to for study and careers, and along with opportunity come separation from family, rented housing, a high cost of living, and competition. In IT and the service industry, there’s also overtime, remote work without clear boundaries, and the feeling of constantly having to measure up. The body compensates for the strain for a long time, and then irritability, apathy, and relationship problems set in.
Other difficulties are rooted in past experience: how feelings were handled in the family, what relationship patterns a person saw growing up, and what is considered “right” in their community. Kazakh families often combine respect for elders with a desire for independence, and young people don’t know how to reconcile their parents’ expectations with their own plans. A psychologist helps you understand these patterns without blaming yourself or your loved ones.
How a psychologist consultation works at Akalam
When you book, you can briefly describe what you’re coming in with — that way the administrator can match you with a psychologist who works with that particular issue. At the first session, the psychologist explains the rules of confidentiality, asks about your situation, and helps you put into words what you want to achieve. They then suggest a format — brief counseling of 3–6 sessions or longer-term work — and agree with you on how often to meet. Often, by the end of the first session, you’ll be given a small task for the week: an observation or an exercise.
A psychologist consultation is not the right choice when medical help is needed: for severe depression with thoughts of death, psychotic symptoms, serious addiction, withdrawal, or eating disorders that threaten your health. In these cases, the psychologist will refer you to a psychiatrist or an addiction physician, and if life is at risk, call 112 or 103; for children and young people, 150. Online sessions are possible if you have a private space and a stable connection.
How we help
Brief counseling
Suited to a specific goal: making a decision, getting through a conflict at work, preparing for a difficult conversation. Over 3–6 sessions, the psychologist helps you structure the situation, see your options and their consequences, and draw on your own strengths. Sessions are focused on results, not on endless analysis of the past.
Working with stress and burnout
The psychologist helps you recognize early signs of overload, set boundaries between work and personal life, and put sleep and rest back on your schedule. Techniques include self-regulation, workload planning, and working on perfectionism. If burnout turns into depression, we bring in a psychotherapist (medical doctor). The work proceeds step by step.
Counseling for couples and parents
Couples sessions help partners learn to talk about difficult things without blame and to find compromise. Parents of teenagers get practical tools: how to negotiate about devices and schoolwork, how to respond to rudeness, and when to really worry. The psychologist can also work with the teenager separately, maintaining confidentiality within established limits.
Psychological assessment
On request, the psychologist can carry out testing of personality traits, emotional state, and cognitive functions, or career guidance assessment. The results are not a medical diagnosis, but they help you understand yourself better and choose a direction for further work. With your consent, the results can be shared with a clinic doctor if needed.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythOnly weak people go to a psychologist
FactAsking for help is a grown-up decision. Many psychologists’ clients are successful, active people who want to handle their workload faster and more wisely than by trial and error. It’s a way of taking care of yourself.
MythA psychologist will give you ready-made advice on what to do
FactA psychologist doesn’t make decisions for you. They help you see the situation more broadly, understand your feelings, and find a solution that fits you — not someone on the outside. Responsibility for the choice stays with you.
MythIf I go to a psychologist, it means something is wrong with me
FactPsychologists work with healthy people in difficult situations. Seeing one doesn’t mean you have a diagnosis. If medical help is needed after all, the psychologist will tell you honestly and refer you to the right specialist.
Prices: Psychologist consultation
| Psychologist consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Psychotherapist session (50 min) | 14 990 ₸ |
| Psychologist session (50 min) | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family session (80 min) | 25 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?
A psychologist has a degree in psychology and doesn’t make diagnoses or prescribe medication. A psychotherapist is a medical doctor who can diagnose a disorder and prescribe treatment. If you’re not sure whom to see, start with a psychologist or ask the administrator — you’ll be directed to the right specialist.
Can I bring a teenager who doesn’t want to come?
You can suggest it, but working with someone against their will doesn’t work. It’s often better if a parent comes first: the psychologist will advise you on how to talk to your teen. Many teenagers agree to a session once they understand the psychologist won’t repeat everything they say to their parents.
Which is better — in person or online?
Effectiveness is comparable if you have privacy and a good connection. Online is convenient for people who live in Kaskelen, Talgar, or Otegen Batyr, or who work long hours. In person is better for couples, children, and teenagers, and when there’s no way to talk calmly at home.
Will the psychologist tell anyone about my problems?
No. Psychologists are bound by professional confidentiality. The exceptions are situations of immediate threat to your life or to others and cases expressly provided for by law. At Akalam, these rules are explained at the first session. Sessions are never recorded without your consent.
How do I know if a psychologist is right for me?
After 2–3 sessions, you should feel heard and not judged, and that there’s some progress — even if small. If not, you can discuss it with the psychologist or ask for a different specialist. Changing psychologists is normal practice.
Do I need to sign up for a full course of sessions right away?
No. The first session is a trial: you get acquainted, define your goals, and decide whether to continue. The psychologist will suggest an approximate number of sessions, but the decision to continue is always yours. You can take a break and come back later when you’re ready.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy