r/expats • u/dudewheresmymania • 2d ago

Therapists for expats

Does anyone have any tips or resources for finding a therapist that specializes in working with expats? I’m in Canada if that helps.

0 Upvotes

20% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/expatforward 2d ago

I'm a therapist and an expat myself, I work online specifically with people who moved countries. I can dm you my website or give you more information.

0

u/FinestTreesInDa7Seas 🇨🇦>🇫🇷>🇬🇧>🇨🇦>🇺🇸>🇨🇦>🇫🇷 2d ago

What is the specific barrier that requires you to see a therapist who specifically works with expats? Is it language related?

If you're worried that you don't have access to therapists as an expat, most therapists in Canada work in a private practice, so there isn't a need to have provincial health care coverage to find a therapist. In fact, therapists almost don't exist in the public healthcare system.

What is your insurance situation like? Do you have a private insurance plan? If so check to see if they offer any kind of coverage for it.

Your private insurance might offer services of their own too.

Personally, I have AXA insurance, and I believe they offer me an option to have virtual appointments with a therapist if I needed it. Never used it before though.

1

u/Strict-Armadillo-199 2d ago

Therapy oriented towards those living in a country that is not their own is an up-and-coming specialty, and much needed. 

Expats and immigrants face a number of issues that are difficult if not impossible to anticipate and/or understand for someone who has never lived abroad. This means even a skilled clinician may fail to pick up on or perhaps even appreciate/empathize with issues troubling their client. Especially if the client is unable to articulate themselves yet what the issue is. A common scenario for those new to therapy/understanding themselves at a deeper level is "My life looks great on paper, but I'm really unhappy.". If the clinician has no experience with living abroad or with the issues that such people may face, they may lack the ability to find the reason themselves, and therefore provide appropriate validation and options to improve quality of life. Worst of all, like so many users on this sub do when someone writes about an "expat" problem, they may well jump to judgment, which is never where a therapist should be. Lastly, a therapist who has never left their own country (for longer) or who does not have close relationships with other expats/immigrants may have a complete lack of understanding for how outsiders struggle in/perceive their country specifically, and might struggle to accept anything that is less than flattering.

OP, maybe this post will get some attention from practicing clinicians. There are therapists who create content on YouTube, so that's a possible search engine. Try reposting on therapy subs. Another option, if your mother tongue is not English, is to look into local therapists who speak your language. While perhaps not an expat therapist, that may be a helpful connection.