How many psychologists have you seen on social media or online in the past month? The psychological services market in Kazakhstan is growing rapidly — with both benefits and risks. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to hh.kz, from January to October 2025, the number of vacancies for psychologists increased by 11.6% compared to the same period last year, and the number of resumes by 23.7%. The scale of consultations is also growing: regional psychological support centers conducted over 48,000 in-person consultations per year. In July 2026, the field received separate legislative regulation — Kazakhstan adopted the Law "On Psychological Activities."
However, market growth does not guarantee quality growth. Some specialists spend years getting education and mastering professional methods, others start consulting after short courses, and still others pass off Tarot cards, herbs, and their own everyday ideas as psychology. How to distinguish a professional psychologist from someone who can aggravate a problem? Practicing psychologist Katrin Reshar, a specialist in anxiety disorders, explains:
"You still need to find your psychologist. Don't keep going to a specialist just because 'you have to.' I often meet people who say, 'It doesn't help much, I don't really like it, but I keep going.' In my opinion, this is the wrong approach. Good therapy should give a feeling of moving forward. It doesn't mean that after every session you will feel light. Sometimes, on the contrary, very painful topics come up. But gradually there should be more clarity and understanding that you are moving in the right direction. Then the light at the end of the tunnel will really be an exit, not an oncoming train."
— Could it be a train? That is, can a psychologist cause harm?
— Unfortunately, yes. Psychology is a field where the result cannot always be measured as objectively as in medicine. Much depends on the specialist, the client, and how well they fit each other. Today, many people come to the profession after retraining. Among them are truly strong specialists, and there are those who have completed a few months of training and already start consulting. But having a specialized education itself guarantees nothing. You can graduate from university, have extensive experience, and still work inefficiently or even cause harm. Therefore, you need to look not just for a psychologist with a diploma or extensive experience, but a specialist who can really help you.
— The law on psychology was adopted — can it change anything?
— Of course, legislative regulation is a step forward. But I don't think it will completely solve the problem. Most likely, some people will simply stop calling themselves psychologists and continue working under other titles, such as coaches, experts, or consultants. Moreover, having a license or even twenty years of experience does not guarantee safety either. A psychologist is also a human being, may be going through a difficult life period, emotional burnout, or professional crisis. That is why personal therapy, supervision, and the ability to recognize in time that you are not in the right state to work with clients are so important in the profession.
— How to find your psychologist? Everyone now has certificates, diplomas, thanks on the wall, and many positive reviews on Instagram…
— The simplest criterion for choosing a psychologist, in my opinion, is the body indicator. Because the body never lies. If anxiety gradually decreases near the specialist, more clarity appears, and after the meeting there is no feeling of internal tightness, most likely this person can be trusted. Just listen to yourself: what is my body feeling now? Where am I calm, and where does tension appear? However, it can be unpleasant even with a good psychologist. Sometimes we come to very painful topics. You can cry, get tired, leave with heavy thoughts. But inside there should be an understanding: yes, it's not easy now, but I understand what we found and why we went there. Over time, tension decreases, and a feeling of moving forward appears. In general, a psychologist is not just a conversation, and certificates on the wall themselves are not an indicator of competence. A professional specialist uses certain methods and tools.
— How to understand that a psychologist uses correct methods? Now some prescribe herbs, some lay out Tarot cards, calling it psychology. Is this acceptable?
— If we are talking specifically about psychological help, a psychologist should work with methods of psychology. Herbs are prescribed by doctors, Tarot cards can be used as a tool in other practices, but they are not related to scientific psychology. Therefore, I recommend choosing a psychologist much like a doctor. Do not be afraid to ask what approach the specialist works in, what methods they use, and why they consider them effective. A good psychologist will calmly answer these questions in simple and understandable language. I do the same. If the question is really important, I can get the opinion of two or even three specialists before making a decision. Why should it be different with a psychologist? The first meeting is an opportunity to understand whether this person suits you and whether their approach resonates with you. Sometimes two good specialists can give completely different results simply because contact is established with one, but not with the other. In modern language, sometimes it's just "not the right vibe."
Separately, the level of a specialist can be seen in online work: this format requires the ability to maintain contact and adapt methods to the screen. The format seems to take you out of your comfort zone — online requires more skill because it is harder to hold the client's attention, build contact, and use psychological methods through the screen. This is where the specialist's level is clearly visible. An experienced psychologist is not limited to conversation; they often use different tools and can adapt them for online work.