Medical Psychologist · Moscow & Online
Natalia Zentsova — Medical Psychologist, Doctor of Psychological Sciences
Support for addictions, PTSD, and complex combined cases. A second expert opinion and a personalized route through psychological care.
Professor, Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology, Sechenov University. Over 20 years of professional practice.
₽35,000 · 60 minutes
Where to Start
If you're not sure what kind of support you need, start with an initial consultation. In this session we'll go through your situation, clarify symptoms and goals, assess risks, and define the next step.
Sometimes individual psychological work is enough. In other cases it's important to involve a physician, a family specialist, or a specialized clinic. I'll explain which options fit your situation, and where a psychologist's competence ends.
Book an Initial ConsultationWhen People Come to Me for an Expert Opinion
When there have already been other psychologists, physicians, treatment, or rehabilitation, but no lasting result; when recommendations contradict each other; when several problems are present at the same time; when a family needs not another specialist, but a clear route to further support.
What I Work With
I work with adults, teenagers from age 15, and families when addiction or psychological symptoms affect health, relationships, studies, work, and the ability to make decisions. Each focus area has its own page on the site with a detailed description of the support available.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Consultation with an addiction psychologist in Moscow and online for alcohol, drug, and medication use: assessing the situation, motivating change, relapse prevention, and support for family members.
More on addiction support →Gambling Addiction and Risky Behavior
Support for gambling addiction, betting, trading, cryptocurrency operations, and other risky investments — when a person loses control, hides losses, or continues despite the consequences.
More on gambling addiction support →Combined Forms of Addiction
Working with several forms of addiction at once: alcohol and drugs; alcohol and gambling; psychoactive substances and other compulsive behavior. Each form's risks are assessed and a sequence of support is defined.
Discuss a combined addiction →Addictions in Teenagers from Age 15
Support for teenagers with alcohol, drug, vaping, and medication use, as well as gambling and other risky behaviors — taking age and family situation into account.
More on support for teenagers →PTSD and Psychological Trauma
A psychologist's support for PTSD in Moscow and online for the aftermath of traumatic events, avoidance, heightened vigilance, and recurring memories.
More on working with PTSD →Anxiety and Depressive States
Psychological support for anxiety, low mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, and difficulty returning to everyday life.
More on anxiety and depression →Codependency
Working with guilt, hyper-control, boundary violations, and exhaustion experienced by people close to someone with an addiction.
More on codependency →Burnout and Chronic Stress
Support for emotional exhaustion, reduced capacity to work, and prolonged tension that doesn't ease with rest.
More on burnout →Complex and Combined Cases
Working through situations where addiction, traumatic experience, anxiety, mood disorders, or a family crisis are present at the same time.
Get a second expert opinion →Disordered Eating, Overeating, and Weight Concerns
Emotional and compulsive overeating, repeated dieting and relapses, guilt after eating, constant preoccupation with weight, and a difficult relationship with your own body. Working with the psychological mechanisms behind eating behavior and self-regulation.
More →Psychological Support for Relocation
Adjusting after a move, anxiety, loneliness, changes in social and professional status, family crises, and life split between several countries.
More →Psychologist for Business Leaders and Business Owners
High responsibility, constant pressure, difficult decisions, lack of time to recover, and situations where your usual ability to stay in control of everything stops helping. Confidential psychological support that takes into account the real context of a leader's life.
More →If Previous Support Hasn't Given Lasting Results
Repeated relapses, conflicting recommendations, or the absence of a clear plan often call for a fresh look at the situation. A second expert opinion helps identify factors that may have been overlooked and outline a realistic path forward.
In the consultation we can review documents and previous recommendations, the course of your condition, your family situation, and risks. A psychological opinion does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment prescribed by a physician.
Get a Second OpinionHow the First Consultation Works
Introduction and Request
You describe the situation, what's concerning you right now, and the outcome you want to reach.
Assessing the Situation
We clarify symptoms, history of previous care, risks, support from family, and the factors sustaining the problem.
A Working Hypothesis
I explain how the problem may be structured and which forms of support match your request.
A Personalized Care Route
By the end of the consultation, you'll have more than general advice — a concrete action plan: the right format of support, a recommended frequency of sessions, a sequence of steps, and a list of specialists worth involving.
When needed, I'll recommend a trusted, highly qualified physician for your specific issue — a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, addiction specialist, neurologist, or another specialist. I can help arrange an appointment, including with an in-demand physician who normally has a long waiting list, when that's possible.
If treatment at a clinic, detoxification, diagnostics, or rehabilitation is needed, I'll help you find the most suitable facility in Moscow, elsewhere in Russia, or abroad. Where possible, I'll connect you directly with the clinic's director, chief physician, or the specialist in charge, and help pass on the necessary information — so you don't have to search for physicians on your own or sort through conflicting offers.
My goal is to help you choose not just a well-known specialist or clinic, but a solution that matches your condition, risks, goals, and the level of confidentiality you need.
- Professional assessment of the situation
- A personalized care route
- Recommendations on format and frequency of sessions
- Contacts of trusted physicians and clinics
- Help arranging appointments and professional communication
- Clarity on immediate next steps and the sequence of care
Consultation fee: ₽35,000 · 60 minutes
Consultation Formats
Individual consultation fee: ₽35,000 for 60 minutes. Terms for personal ongoing support are discussed after an initial assessment of the situation.
In Person in Moscow
Individual consultation at the office. Address and time are confirmed when booking.
Book an in-person consultation →Online
A video consultation in Russian for clients from other cities and countries.
More about the online format →Personal Ongoing Support
An extended format for complex cases, when coordinated support and alignment on the next step are needed between consultations.
More about ongoing support →
Natalia Zentsova
Medical psychologist, Doctor of Psychological Sciences. Professor, Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology, Sechenov University.
Over 20 years of professional practice. Main areas of work: alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction, combined forms of addiction, addictions in teenagers from age 15, relapse prevention, codependency, the aftermath of psychological trauma, anxiety and depressive states, and chronic stress.
In my work I combine clinical assessment, motivational interviewing, self-regulation methods, and cognitive-behavioral and systemic approaches. Specific methods are chosen after assessing the client's condition and goals.
Author of 5 books and over 60 scientific publications.
More on education and experience →How the Work Is Structured
- The situation and request are assessed first, then the format of support is chosen
- Goals and the next step are defined together with the client
- If medical risks are present, a consultation with the relevant physician is recommended
- Information about the consultation is not disclosed to third parties, except where required by law or safety rules
- The outcome depends on the starting situation, the regularity of the work, and the client's own involvement, so a guaranteed result cannot be promised in advance
A medical psychologist does not prescribe medication and does not replace a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or addiction physician. In case of a threat to life, suicidal intent, psychosis, overdose, or severe withdrawal syndrome, seek emergency medical help immediately — call 112 (Russia's emergency number) or the emergency number in your own country.
Work with teenagers from age 15 is conducted with the involvement of a legal guardian, to the extent necessary for arranging support and ensuring safety. The scope of the adult's involvement and the limits of confidentiality are discussed before consultations begin.
Russian-Speaking Psychologist Online for Clients Abroad
If you live outside Russia, the consultation can be held online in Russian. This format is helpful when it matters to discuss difficult experiences in your native language and to take into account the context of relocation, family, and your usual support system.
Before booking, we'll confirm your country of residence, time zone, and whether the consultation is possible within the scope of professional competence and applicable rules.
More about online consultations →Resources on Psychological Support
The knowledge base includes articles on alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction, combined forms of addiction, addictions in teenagers, codependency, relapse risk, psychological trauma, anxiety, depressive states, and recovery after prolonged stress. These materials help you prepare for a consultation but do not replace an individual assessment by a specialist.
Note: these particular articles are currently available in Russian only. English versions are in progress.
Gambling Addiction
Why We Want to "Win It Back" After a Loss
How to recognize a dangerous cycle of betting or gambling, and what helps you stop in time.
Supporting Loved Ones
How to Talk to a Loved One About Gambling Addiction
How to talk about gambling, betting, and debt without humiliation or total control.
Trading and Risk
Trading and Crypto Markets: When Risk Becomes a Problem
How to tell the difference between an interest in trading and crypto markets and problematic, risky behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reach out without an exact diagnosis?
Can a relative of someone with an addiction come in?
What counts as gambling addiction?
Do you work with teenagers?
Do you work online?
How many sessions will I need?
Can I get a second opinion?
Do you prescribe medication?
How is confidentiality ensured?
Let's Discuss Your Situation
An initial consultation will help clarify what the next step should be right now. You can choose an in-person meeting in Moscow or an online consultation.
₽35,000 · 60 minutes
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