Anxiety, depression, bereavement, or a lack of meaning or purpose in life can be extremely difficult to cope with alone. It can be just as hard to admit this and reach out for professional help. However, in Vietnam the task of finding a capable therapist can be complicated further by not knowing what criteria to look for, the limited pool of qualified practitioners here, and the lack of a proper Vietnamese professional or ethical regulatory body.
So, how do you find the right therapist for you?
I myself am a trained and qualified Psychologist and Counsellor from the UK with a Master’s in Psychology, and membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have over 12 years of active experience: 5 years in community mental health in the UK, and over 7 years of professional practice here in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
During my time in Vietnam, I have helped a great number of expatriate and Vietnamese clients facing many different issues. I have also worked with local and expatriate mental health professionals, medical clinics, international schools, embassies and NGOs. All in all, I have learned a lot about the mental health sector here in Vietnam, and how it works.
So, to make your search easier, I’ve written the following guide. In it, I’ve attempted to cover the basic requirements to look for, how to narrow down your choices, and finally: where to start looking. I hope you find it useful.
A note before I begin: the term ‘therapist’ covers any counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists or social workers who practice talk therapy. To simplify things, I will use the terms ‘therapist’ and ‘counsellor’, and ‘therapy’ and ‘counselling’ interchangeably in this post.
The Basics
Qualifications
A therapist in private practice should be qualified to at least a postgraduate degree level (for example, a master’s degree, postgraduate diploma or certificate, or a doctorate). So, look for the letters following their name that tell you this, such as, MSc, MA or PhD.
Anything below this, and you cannot be sure that your counsellor has the necessary knowledge, training, and skills to help you.
Professional Membership and Accreditation
Just as importantly, your therapist should be a current member of an established professional organisation.
For example, if they are from the UK this might be the British Psychological Society (BPS), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Generally, (in the UK) this means that your counsellor’s degree is also accredited by this organisation.
This not only shows that the degree they hold meets required proficiency standards, but that they also abide by a set of professional and ethical guidelines. These guidelines are there to protect your safety and confidentiality, and ensure that you are treated with respect.
To find out if your therapist is a member of a recognised organisation, look for more letters after their postgraduate qualification, such as, GMBPsS or MBACP. For example, Janak Vadgama, MSc Psychology, GMBPsS ([Post] Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society)
Experience
Look for a therapist with knowledge and experience of working with the specific issues that you are dealing with.
Although most counsellors will be able to help with depression or anxiety, not all are trained to work with suicidal thoughts or trauma, or with couples, families or children.
This is usually easy to check as most therapists will list their areas of expertise on their website.
The Counselling Contract
Once you have decided upon a therapist, always make sure that you have a written contract.
This should make clear what you can expect from your counsellor (e.g. confidentiality, ethical practice, cost, and cancellation policy), and what they expect from you (e.g. show up for sessions, and payment). This helps to avoid potential misunderstandings or disagreements later down the line.
Narrowing Down the Choices
Theoretical Orientation (Style of Therapy)
Essentially, this is the method that your therapist uses. There are many varying styles of counselling out there, and this can be rather confusing for a prospective client. Rather than describe each in detail here, I would suggest that you do a little independent research on these different approaches to see which might suit you best. It should help to make your final decision an informed one.
Here is a link giving a brief overview of styles to get you started: Types of Therapy
Some will find a counsellor with a more non-directive and unstructured approach more beneficial to them exploring their issues. On the other hand, others may wish for more structure and active guidance from their counsellor in order to feel comfortable and safe.
No one style is better than the other. As long as your therapist is properly trained, it’s just a matter of personal preference. The main thing is that the approach helps you, and that your counsellor is someone you can feel safe with.
Therapist’s Personality
It is my belief that the basis of any effective counselling is the quality of the relationship between a client and their therapist. This is mostly about the client feeling a sense of trust and safety in therapy, which to some degree will depend upon the personality of the therapist. However, what you need from a counsellor in order to feel safe will be specific to you.
Some therapists are more reserved and distant, while others are warmer and more interactive. So, as long as they remain professional and respectful, you just need to find one that you feel comfortable with.
Ask yourself what kind of therapist you would feel most at ease with, then see how the first few sessions with them go.
Gender, Sexuality, Ethnicity and Culture
It may also be important to you that your therapist can relate to your experience as a woman or man, or that they are from the LGBTQ+ community. Likewise, it might matter that they are from the same culture, ethnic background, or are of a similar age to you.
If these qualities are likely to make you feel more able to talk to them, then they are worth considering.
Cost
Counselling can be expensive. However, if you want someone who is well-qualified and experienced, then the chances are that they will cost more than someone who is not properly qualified or trained.
Ultimately, it is your decision how much you choose to spend, but remember that it is also a waste of money if you choose a counsellor who isn’t able to help you, just because they are cheaper.
Some counsellors do offer reduced fees depending on the client’s personal situation. This is on a case-by-case basis, so just ask your prospective counsellor if this is a possibility.
If you have health insurance, you might also wish to check if it covers counselling. Although there are often limits on how long or what you can claim for, insurance can still significantly reduce cost — particularly for longer-term counselling.
Duration
There is no set duration for therapy as it depends on what you need from it. So, it may be for a set number of sessions, or left open-ended.
Mild to moderate social anxiety is usually easier to overcome than chronic childhood emotional trauma. For trauma, personality disorders, or suicidal feelings, be prepared to commit for longer.
A good way to judge this, is to have 3-4 sessions with your new counsellor to help you both guess how long therapy might take, or how many sessions you feel you would like.
However, if you are only able to afford a limited number of sessions, then it is best to tell your counsellor this at the outset of therapy, and set realistic goals and expectations for what can be achieved within the time that you have.
Online or In-Person
Although many people prefer in-person counselling, in Vietnam this can restrict your options. It still only has a limited pool of qualified therapists. So, limiting yourself to in-person counselling may make your search more challenging. Do at least consider seeing someone online to expand your choices.
Online counselling can also offer a degree of convenience in that the client doesn’t have to travel, and can attend sessions from their own home. For some, it also helps to have a screen between them and their counsellor as this feels more relaxed.
Importantly, it also allows clients to continue counselling if they move away from Vietnam to study, work, or return to their home country.
However, if you strongly feel that online counselling is too impersonal or ‘distant’, then go with that instinct. Once again, it is about what makes you feel most comfortable. So, if sitting in the same room with your counsellor feels more ‘real’ or connected, then choose that option.
Remember, you can always move from online to in-person, or vice versa.
Where to Find a Therapist in Vietnam
Word of Mouth and Referral
Before searching online, try getting a word-of-mouth recommendation or professional referral. This helps to take much of the guesswork out of finding professional support. Ask around to see if any friends, colleagues or family can recommend someone that they have personally seen, or heard of.
If this seems too embarrassing, then ask your psychiatrist, psychologist, or doctor for a recommendation or referral. They often keep updated lists of trusted counsellors in the local area, and know what they specialise in.
Searching Online
If you are unable to find a personal recommendation from someone you know or trust, then searching online should be your next task.
To save yourself time and effort, it is best if you make your search terms as specific as possible. For instance: ‘counsellor in HCMC’, ‘psychotherapist in Vietnam’, or ‘couples counselling in Hanoi’. This will turn up far more accurate results than just searching for ‘therapist’ alone.
Don’t forget that if you do choose online sessions, then you don’t need to limit yourself to only counsellors who are physically based in Vietnam. You have the whole region or World to choose from.
Recommended Therapists
Apart from myself, Janak Vadgama, there are a number of other therapists out there. I will not include all, but here are some that I know and trust:
Groups:
Individual Therapists:
o Qualifications: MSSc Counselling
o Languages: English
o Theoretical Approach: existential, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural, narrative, and Gestalt.
o Qualifications: BA and MSc in Psychology
o Languages: English, German
o Theoretical Approach: CBT focussed with elements of ACT, and Gestalt.
Dr. Fae Frederick (US Citizens only)
o Qualifications: PhD Educational Psychology, MA Mental Health Counseling, BSc Psychology
o Languages: English
o Theoretical Approach: existential, narrative, solution focused, psychodynamic/object relations, cognitive behavioural, and humanistic
And here are some general websites you can use to find therapists in Vietnam:
Final Words of Advice
You should now be equipped to start your counselling journey. However, there are also a few other things worth bearing in mind.
Even once you’ve found a counsellor who seems suitable, there is really no way to be sure if the ‘fit’ is right until you have had a few sessions. So, remember that just because you choose to see a particular counsellor, it does not mean that you cannot change your mind.
If something isn’t working, or you don’t feel comfortable with your counsellor, then it is okay to stop and find someone else: you are in control, and deserve to find the right therapist for you. Don’t be afraid to try other counsellors if the fit isn’t quite right.
Use the initial session(s) as a guide before committing, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something or need clarification. You have every right to know these things.
Good luck!
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