Do I have to take medication if I see a psychiatrist?

No. Many psychiatric consultations do not lead to a recommendation for medication — particularly for mild conditions or where psychotherapy is sufficient on its own. Whether medication is recommended depends on the condition, its severity and your preferences. Your psychiatrist will explain why they recommend it (or why they do not) and you will decide together.

Do I need a referral?

For **CNAS-covered consultations** — yes, you need a referral from your GP or another specialist. For **private (paid) consultations** — no, you can book directly.

How long does treatment last?

It varies. For a first episode of depression or anxiety, the average length is between 6 months and 1 year. For chronic conditions, treatment is long-term — sometimes lifelong, as with any chronic illness (diabetes, hypertension). The duration is decided together with your psychiatrist, based on how things evolve.

Will I be judged for what I say?

At Acord Med we offer a safe space where you can open up without fear of being judged. We are with you, alongside you, at every step. Everything you share remains confidential, in line with medical confidentiality.

Can I keep working during treatment?

For most patients, yes. Psychiatric treatment is normally compatible with professional life. In severe cases, the psychiatrist may recommend medical leave for a period, but this is the exception, not the rule.

How quickly will I get an appointment?

Requests are processed within 24 working hours. For CNAS-covered consultations there is sometimes a waiting list, but we will let you know at the time of booking. For urgent situations, please mention this on the form or by phone — we will try to find the fastest option.

You can fill in the form on the Contact page or call us at +40 740 885 566.

Psychiatry — Acord Med

What a psychiatric consultation involves

Psychiatry is the medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Unlike psychology or psychotherapy, psychiatry is a medical specialty — the psychiatrist is a doctor who has completed 6 years of general medicine, followed by a minimum of 4 years of residency in psychiatry.

At Acord Med, our team of senior consultant psychiatrists offers consultations across the full spectrum of adult mental health conditions — from anxiety, depression and burnout, through to more complex conditions that require long-term monitoring.

Psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist — what’s the difference?

This is one of the questions patients ask most often, and the answer is not always obvious.

	Psychiatrist	Clinical Psychologist	Psychotherapist
Training	Medical doctor (6 years medicine + min. 4 years residency)	Psychology degree + clinical accreditation	Psychology or medicine degree + psychotherapy training
Diagnoses mental disorders	Yes	Yes, via psychological assessment	No
Can prescribe medication	Yes	No	No
Recommends medical investigations	Yes	No	No
Works with biological causes	Yes	Limited	Limited
Provides psychotherapy	Only with additional training	Not without additional training	Yes — this is the main specialty
Issues sick notes	Yes	No	No

In practice, what this means for you:

If you have new or severe psychological symptoms and don’t know where to start → see a psychiatrist. They will establish whether you are dealing with a clinical condition and which approach fits.
If you need an objective assessment (cognitive testing, personality assessment, a report for an official panel) → see a clinical psychologist.
If you need long-term therapy to work on thought patterns, relationships or emotional difficulties → see a psychotherapist.
Most often, the best approach is a combined one — the psychiatrist evaluates and sets a plan; the psychologist or psychotherapist works in parallel on the deeper layer.

At Acord Med, all three specialists work within the same team, so your treatment plan can be coordinated without sending you from place to place.

Request an appointment →

What the first consultation is like

The first psychiatric consultation lasts 45–60 minutes and is a structured conversation, not an interrogation.

What happens, step by step:

Opening discussion — what brings you in and what worries you most.
History of symptoms — when they started, how they have evolved, how they affect your life.
Medical and family history — past conditions, treatments, family history of mental illness.
Life context — relationships, work, sleep, eating, substance use, recent events.
Clinical evaluation — the psychiatrist assesses your mental state on the basis of the conversation.
Discussion of diagnosis and plan — what they have observed, the provisional diagnosis and the treatment options.

What to bring with you:

a list of the medications you are currently taking (if any)
relevant prior medical documents (test results, other consultations)
a referral from your GP or another specialist (if you wish to use CNAS coverage)
a list of your questions — many people forget what they wanted to ask once the consultation begins

How we continue after the first consultation

From here, we build a path that fits you — depending on the condition identified, the severity of symptoms, your history and what suits you. For some patients, the plan involves medication; for others, psychotherapy; most often, a combined approach, where medication stabilises acute symptoms while psychotherapy works on the underlying patterns. Follow-up consultations take place at intervals agreed together — every 2–4 weeks initially, then less frequently — to evaluate progress and adjust the plan.

The duration of treatment depends on the condition. For a first depressive or anxious episode, it usually runs between 6 months and 1 year. For chronic conditions (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), treatment is long-term. We stay alongside you for as long as you need.

Cost and CNAS

Consultations covered by CNAS — for patients with a referral from their GP or another specialist, psychiatric consultations are fully covered by Acord Med’s contract with the National Health Insurance Fund, within the available slots.*

*CNAS-covered slots are limited monthly; we will let you know when booking whether they are available.

Paid consultations — for patients who prefer to book directly, without a referral, we offer paid consultations. Current rates are on the Pricing page.

Specialists who provide psychiatric consultations

To see the full team, visit the Team page.