I need a T but can't find one! :(

Hello,

I just moved from US to another country where I'm having the hardest time finding a T. I'm 26 and whenever I approach a doctor asking for referrences to a T, he practically laughs in my face.

The most recent thing I was told was "OH cmon! why are you depressed, you have a masters in finance!!"

Its such a stigma to have depression here, I dont know what to do. My family is not supportive either.

One therapist I found online, when I went to her, I found out she was a social worker without an MA in psych or even a BA in psych, I didn't feel comfortable with that so left...

Now, I'm majorly depressed, I dont lik edoing anything, no interest in anything, lots of thoughts of bleak future, hopelessless, and helplessness... HELP!

My social worker therapist has a masters in social work and is licensed by the state. I think that's the most typical degree for US therapists, and the masters programs are intended to prepare for doing therapy. A licensed psychologist in the US will have a PhD. A therapist with a masters degree other than MSW will have a another type of license, and you should investigate to find out the level of formality in that program.

My job offers an Employee Assistance Program. I can call there, get a referral to a counselor. Your employer may offer this as well, it is a very common benefit.
One approach is to contact a local university, the psychology department may have a clinic where graduate students work. Consider calling a local women's or families center, non-profit, to ask if they have counselors on staff. Finally you might want to ask the leader of your religious congregation, if you belong, for a suggestion of a counselor. You can say you are having some challenges getting adjusted after your move?

Sorry the doc said that to you - geez, don't they get the news about Wall Street and the mortgage industry?

I have learned through having therapists with different credentials that it isn't the letters after their name that matter.

I found my therapist by calling a psychoanalytic institute in the nearest large city and getting a referral. This is where I started: http://www.apsa.org/

Hi thanks! Where I'm at, They don't have any of the above.. its actually seen as a stigma for a 26 year old to have depression here, they find it really odd... The lady I went to who was a social worker actually told me that she didn't have any training in psych but she'd taken a few short term courses here and there and she learnt some from her patients.. but when I mentioned black/white thinking and CBT, she was clueless.. so I got a little wary. I'd prefer someone who atleast has an MA and have done some clinical work..

thanks echos, But I'm not in US...

How about looking in the phone book? Many countries still have those. Maybe just bypass the doctor recommendation to a T and try stuff like the phone book, googling, etc. Or ask at a university in the department that trains therapists. They may not have their own clinic, as was suggested earlier, but they may be able to tell you where the people they've trained are practicing. If you think none of those will work, I wonder does it mean that your new country does not have therapists? It's hard to know the culture without more to go on.

Here is a site that therapists belong to from different countries and you can search for a therapist near you. They have a range of countries:
http://www.goodtherapy.org/international-search.html
I tried Canada, France, and Argentina and there were therapist listings. I tried Switzerland and Mexico and found none (in the therapist division).

Good luck.

Maybe you have the same kinds of professional organizations where you are, I don't know.

Could a local hospital help by letting you know where to look?
Or a university's student services might be able to help.

OH! Somehow I switched that around, to US from another country - doh!

If you are a student abroad, then get yourself connected to some of the other students in your program. I was most certainly depressed when I studied abroad - it was so much harder than I expected.
I found that going to an American-language (vs. British) church gave me a place to connect to other expats. My roommate and I sort of suffered together - we are still great friends over 20 yr later. And if this is a work assignment, stay in touch with friends at home, connect with the new people around you. Don't be afraid to say "I am still adjusting to living here!" Until you find a therapist, the connections you make in your new location will help sustain you.

There are US-based therapists who do sessions via Skype - in major metropolitan areas like Boston, NY, LA, Seattle, San Fran, Dallas, Chicago, DC, etc, you can look at listings for those areas. That may work well for you if you are in a place where the language may be a challenge.

As for the stigma on therapy where you are - hey, give yourself a break! YOU know it's a perfectly normal thing for a person to do, just like seeing a dentist or taking statins -- you have to take care of yourself in the best way you know how.

Is there an ex-pat community where you live? you might ask there.

I'm really glad BlackCanary just said this - I was going to suggest getting in touch with your old T and asking about doing therapy via skype. From what you're experiencing, sounds like Skype might be your best option.

I'm so happy but so sad a time my haert is hurting I don't know what do r how to talk to without be judge so I keep al my feel battle up inside