Psychotherapy advice and tips needed

November 10, 2008 7:04 AM

Do you have any tips for finding a psychotherapist in a country other than my own? I'd like to find a therapist, mostly to try to deal with a low level of depression that crops up from time-to-time. I am an expatriate, which complicates things for me. I will be paying for this therapy out-of-pocket.

My general practitioner directed me to a group of psychoanalytics (Freudian). I went for a first consultation last week, but was floored when they recommended 2-4 sessions per week, at 2 hours per session. When I asked if that was a long-term commitment or just an introductory period, I was told that good things are worth waiting for.

I'm not an acute case, and I don't really have the time or monetary resources to devote to that level of therapy. Does that seem extreme? I was hoping for an hour or two per week, but I have absolutely no idea about this kind of thing.

Any tips or advice on finding a therapist, or on therapy in general, would be appreciated.

posted by Strumpf Marionette to health & fitness (4 comments total)

psychoanalytics psychoanalysts
posted by Strumpf Marionette at 7:09 AM on November 10, 2008

I've had experience with friends in acute mental distress (unable to fuction, work or attend school on an on-going basis) and they weren't getting eight hours a week of care. That is an extreme amount. Ask your GP for another recommendation. Do you hav ethe option of referring yourself to a psychotherapist in your country? If you mention your country someone may have more detailed information.
posted by saucysault at 7:18 AM on November 10, 2008

I'm in Freud's homeland (Austria).
posted by Strumpf Marionette at 7:22 AM on November 10, 2008

When I was looking for a counsellor I was pointed at the national association for that branch of counselling (TA) and it had a directory of counsellors in the area. There should also be some general directories of therapists and counsellors for you local region online. And if one therapist is unable to help you they'll usually recommend some others they know about in the area, that's how I found mine and it's worked out quite well.

I've found that a single one hour session a week works quite well for me, your therapist or counsellor should sit you down at the start and work out a contract for how much you're going to pay and how often you're going to have a session. In my experience they're usually very understanding about what people can afford and will tailor their recommendations accordingly.
posted by invisible_al at 7:58 AM on November 10, 2008