Taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health.
This directory lists a range of qualified therapists in Buenos Aires. Find professionals who offer counseling and mental health support for individuals, couples, and families dealing with a variety of personal challenges.
Buenos Aires offers a robust mental health care landscape for expats, with the city having one of the highest concentrations of mental health professionals per capita in the world.
The Argentine capital has a strong psychoanalytic tradition, and therapy is widely accepted and utilized across all social classes.
Expats will find numerous English-speaking therapists and psychologists, particularly in neighborhoods like Palermo, Recoleta, and Belgrano, where international communities are concentrated.
Like Argentina’s general healthcare system, mental health services are available through both public and private sectors. Public hospitals offer free psychological services, but waiting times can be lengthy and finding English-speaking professionals may be challenging.
Most expats opt for private therapy, which is significantly more affordable than in North America or Europe. Private sessions typically cost a fraction of what you’d pay in the US, making regular therapy accessible even without insurance coverage.
The private healthcare system includes both independent practitioners and therapists working through prepagas (private health insurance plans) or obras sociales (social security health insurance).
Many private health insurance plans cover a certain number of therapy sessions per year, though coverage varies by plan and may require copayments.
Buenos Aires has a substantial community of bilingual mental health professionals, many trained abroad or specializing in working with international patients. Many therapists maintain private practices in professional office buildings throughout Palermo, Belgrano, and the city center.
When searching for therapists in Buenos Aires, consider asking about the therapist’s theoretical orientation, as Argentine therapy culture leans heavily toward psychoanalysis and psychodynamic approaches. If you prefer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other modalities, specifically inquire about this during your initial consultation.
Key terms to know include psicólogo/a (psychologist), psicoanalista (psychoanalyst), terapeuta (therapist), sesión (session), consultorio (office/practice), and obra social (social security health insurance). Understanding these terms will help when navigating appointments and insurance coverage.
Most therapists in Buenos Aires work on a weekly session model, with 45-50 minute appointments.
Initial consultations help determine fit and approach. Don’t hesitate to try multiple therapists before committing – finding the right match is important.
Many practitioners offer video sessions, which became more common after 2020 and remain a convenient option for expats with busy schedules or those living in outer neighborhoods.
