Zdravotní pojišťovna terapie: Jak získat hrazenou psychoterapii v ČR

When you need help with anxiety, depression, or burnout, zdravotní pojišťovna terapie, právní možnost získat psychoterapii hrazenou z veřejného zdravotního pojištění v České republice. Also known as hrazená psychoterapie, it allows you to access professional mental health care without paying full private rates—usually with a small co-payment. Many people think it’s hard to get, but in reality, it’s just a matter of knowing the steps.

Most people start by visiting their lékaře obecné praxe, první bod kontaktu pro psychické zdraví, který může vydávat doporučení pro psychoterapii. They don’t need a psychiatric diagnosis—just a clear explanation of how you’ve been feeling for weeks or months. The doctor writes a recommendation, and you take it to your pojišťovna, organizace, která rozhoduje o hrazení služeb podle zákona o veřejném zdravotním pojištění. VZP, OZP, and other insurers all cover therapy, but each has slightly different rules. You might get 10–20 sessions covered per year, depending on your diagnosis and the therapist’s contract with the insurer.

It’s not magic. You still need to find a therapist who accepts your insurance. Not every private practitioner does—many work only privately. But there are hundreds in Liberec and across the country who do. You can ask your doctor for a list, check the pojišťovna’s website, or use our directory here. Some people wait months. Others get an appointment in under two weeks. It depends on location, time of year, and how many people are seeking help.

Don’t assume you need a serious diagnosis to qualify. Stress, relationship problems, grief, and burnout all count. If your doctor sees that your mental health is affecting your sleep, work, or relationships, they can and should help you get started. You don’t need to be ‘broken’ to deserve help. You just need to be tired of being tired.

Some think it’s cheaper to pay privately. But if you’re in it for the long haul, hrazená psychoterapie saves you thousands. A single private session costs 800–1500 Kč. With insurance, you pay 100–300 Kč per visit. That’s a big difference over 12 sessions. And if you need more, you can often extend coverage with a follow-up recommendation.

What you won’t get: instant access. There’s paperwork. Waiting lists. Maybe a phone call or two. But none of that changes the fact that this system exists to help you. And if you’ve been struggling, you’ve already done the hardest part—you asked for help. Now it’s time to take the next step.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve walked this path. How to write that first email to a therapist. What to say to your doctor. How to handle rejection. What to do if your pojišťovna says no. And how to make sure you get the right kind of help—not just any help.