Which kind of help do you need?
You do not need a diagnosis before asking for help. The first step is to distinguish an emergency from a request for a priority appointment.
Immediate danger
If there is immediate danger, an overdose or a suicide attempt, call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for a reply from this practice.
Urgent medical assessment
Sudden confusion or a major change accompanied by physical symptoms needs prompt medical assessment. Call 112 if there is danger or you cannot travel safely.
Priority appointment
When outpatient care is appropriate, you can ask about availability. The date and format must be confirmed. Immediate attention is not guaranteed.
When not to wait
Seek emergency help if someone cannot stay safe, has taken a dangerous amount of medicine or other substances, is severely confused, or is agitated with a risk to safety. If safe for you, stay with them while help arrives and follow emergency service instructions.
Calling for help
Explain where you are, what is happening now and whether anyone is injured or at risk. Emergency services will advise on the appropriate response. Whether hospital admission is needed requires professional assessment.
Spain's 024 line
024 provides support for people with suicidal thoughts or behaviour and their families and loved ones. It is national, free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. It does not replace in-person care when needed. Call 112 in an immediate emergency.
Before the first appointment
You can start with the change that concerns you most. You do not have to arrive with a diagnosis or choose a treatment beforehand. The assessment is an opportunity to discuss options and ask questions.
What a priority appointment can offer
A prompt review may be appropriate when distress or changing symptoms require attention before a routine appointment. This private practice complements other healthcare services. Emergencies need services equipped to respond immediately.
Reasons to request a review
Repeated anxiety episodes, persistent sleep difficulties, worsening depression or concerns about medication may warrant assessment. Sudden psychotic symptoms need prompt evaluation and may require hospital care.
When a scheduled appointment may be appropriate
A stable treatment review or second opinion can often be arranged as a routine appointment. If there is a significant change or uncertainty about waiting, contact a healthcare service. This practice's availability does not determine clinical urgency.
Physical symptoms and sudden changes
Do not assume that new chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness is anxiety. Confusion or a behavioural change with fever also needs medical assessment. A hospital emergency department may be the appropriate service.
From enquiry to appointment
- Ask about availability. Call the secretary's office on 672 472 847, Monday to Friday, 10:00–19:00, Spanish time.
- Outside office hours. You may send a WhatsApp message to 638 073 131. This number is for messages only. Immediate reading or response is not guaranteed.
- Confirm the arrangements. Availability, format and fees must be confirmed before booking. An appointment within 24–48 hours is not guaranteed.
A first message can simply ask about an assessment. Avoid sending detailed medical information or reports through this channel.
Video appointments
A video appointment from Spain may be suitable if the clinical situation allows it. You need a reliable connection and a private space. It is not suitable for immediate danger or when an urgent physical examination is needed. If you are abroad, check the arrangements beforehand and use local emergency services.
Before your appointment
Do not wait for a booked appointment if the situation becomes an emergency. Call 112 for immediate danger. Do not change doses on your own or take another person's medication. Contact someone you trust if you need support; 024 is also available for suicidal thoughts.
What the assessment involves
We review what has changed, the history, current treatment and present circumstances. Bring a medication list and existing reports if available. The next steps are explained after the assessment; further information or another healthcare service may be needed.
If you have run out of medication
Contact your prescriber or a healthcare service for advice. A prescription or dose change requires an appropriate assessment and cannot be guaranteed through a message. Seek medical help for severe or concerning symptoms.
If you are worried about a relative
You can describe the changes you have noticed and offer support. A family guidance appointment may help clarify options, but it does not replace an assessment of the person. Seek emergency help if there is immediate danger.
The practice and fees
Appointments take place with Dr. Cristóbal López Martín in Marbella or by video when appropriate. The published priority assessment fee is €200. Confirm the conditions before booking and see the fees page in Spanish.
After the assessment
Depending on your needs, the next step may be follow-up, coordination with your usual team or referral. Ask what changes to watch for and whom to contact if your condition worsens.
Finding the practice
C/ María Auxiliadora 1, 1º A · 29602 Marbella · Málaga. See contact details and directions or the practice information in English.
- Psiquiatra urgente en Marbella y onlineThe same information in Spanish, with the local contact line.
- Anxiety: symptoms, types and treatmentThe full guide for the area, if what has escalated is anxiety. In Spanish.
- Depression: when it stops being able to waitSigns of deterioration and what to do about them. In Spanish.
- Bipolar disorder and destabilisationHow an episode is recognised before it runs away. In Spanish.
- Psychiatry in later lifeAcute confusion in an older person is almost never "just old age". In Spanish.
- Online consultation: booking and how it worksHow an ordinary video consultation is arranged when there is no emergency. In Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I be seen?
The date depends on clinical suitability and availability and must be confirmed. Neither an immediate reply nor an appointment within 24–48 hours is guaranteed.
Which number should I use?
Call 672 472 847 Monday to Friday, 10:00–19:00 Spanish time. Outside those hours, send a WhatsApp message to 638 073 131. That number is for messages only.
Is this a 24-hour emergency service?
No. For immediate danger, call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department. In Spain, 024 provides support for suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
What is the published priority assessment fee?
The published fee is €200. Confirm the conditions before booking; follow-up visits follow the ordinary fees.
Further information: Ministerio de Sanidad · Línea 024.
Ask about a priority appointment
The secretary can explain the available options. If there is immediate danger, call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department without waiting for a reply.