What language for my psychotherapy?

February 3, 2008 9:01 AM

What language for my psychotherapy?

I am French but I have been living in England for more than two years. I am bilingual. I still know French better than English but I am more comfortable talking in English maybe because that's the language I speak the most, and probably because as it is my second language, I feel more distance between myself and what I am saying, therefore it is easier to talk about personal stuff in English for me.

I want to undergo a psychotherapy. Should I be looking for a French-speaking or English-speaking shrink? Would my subconscious express itself in English or French? I know that language is very important and that you can find meaning in slips of tongue etc.

So what language should I use for the most efficient and thruthful psychotherapy?

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (9 comments total)

If you look, in England, for a French-speaking psychotherapist, she or he will most likely also speak English (in the US, when one looks up doctors in directories, there are often parenthetical notations about additional languages spoken, but English is always assumed.) In your case, finding someone who speaks both might be best, just in case you do slip into one or the other.
posted by cobaltnine at 9:14 AM on February 3, 2008

I would suggest getting a French speaking therapist. Living in England, i assume that a French speaking therapist would also be fluent in English which would allow you to shift back and forth. There are two big advantages to be able to work in French. First, your vocabulary will be better so it will be easier to find the right word for what you are trying to say. Second, when you are talking about important events, and especially emotional-laden events, it is easier to get in touch with the experience if you are speaking the same language that it happened in. The distance that makes it easier for you to use English now will be a disadvantage when you get further into therapy. On the other hand, if your therapist is bilingual, you can start in English and slip into French when you need to.
posted by metahawk at 9:18 AM on February 3, 2008

I imagine you'd find it a lot harder to find a French-speaking therapist in England. If you're in doubt, probably best starting out in English.

I think the classical Freudian style of therapy where there's a lot of attention to wordplay and slips of the tongue, is pretty rare and out of fashion now. I doubt it would be a serious nuisance.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 9:24 AM on February 3, 2008

I second looking for someone who can speak both languages. I'm currently undergoing therapy in a foreign country as well, and I specifically looked for someone. Although I'm currently speaking primarily in German, it's important that I be able to express myself as clearly as possible, and sometimes that means switching languages.

Furthermore, if you're nervous about the language issue, I'd tell your (bilingual) therapist everything you told us. They can help you figure out what language to start out with, or simply keep an eye out and see if one language or the other works better for them.
posted by ubersturm at 9:30 AM on February 3, 2008

French speaking.

This is precisely the time where you don't want to be putting distance between yourself and your words. Also, i'm sure you'll want to be able to express yourself as subtly and clearly as you can, and if you're not speaking in your native tongue, it might frustrate you that you can't express the difference between, say, 'i was very angry' and 'i was livid'.

Might as well allow your words to flow as easily as the thoughts you're trying to express.
posted by Kololo at 9:37 AM on February 3, 2008

I am bilingual as well. I think a therapist who spoke both would be invaluable. I know that I tend to, if allowed, drift between my two languages and that is how I express myself the easiest. And if you find one in England who speaks French, then by default they must also speak English (I would think).
posted by DrGirlfriend at 9:53 AM on February 3, 2008

What kololo said. And, although I don't like askme answers that are too certain, this one--as asked--is almost no contest. You will struggle to articulate ideas that you can barely express in your first language--they'll disappear if you try to translate them.
posted by Phred182 at 11:10 AM on February 3, 2008

I disagree with phred182 and Kololo, if you think you can express yourself well enough in English, there's no reason to assume otherwise.

What I would consider is that there are probably more English-speaking than French-speaking therapists, so you have a better pool from which to find someone you're compatible with. If you're comfortable with your English level, I think finding someone you click with would be far more important than the language issue.
posted by !Jim at 11:38 AM on February 3, 2008

I wonder whether the cultural difference is more important than the language difference... someone who has at least spent time in France (or wherever you grew up) might have a better understanding of the context for some of the events you relate or personalites you describe that could be helpful.
posted by carmicha at 1:19 PM on February 3, 2008