Finding a psychologist abroad can be hard because of language, waiting lists and unfamiliar systems. Learn your options and what you can do while you wait.
You have not been feeling well for a while, and you have finally decided to get support. But you do not know where to start. Should you see your family doctor or look for a therapist directly? What does your insurance cover? When will you be offered an appointment? On top of that, the idea of describing your feelings in a foreign language feels daunting. Finding a psychologist abroad can become an exhausting process for many people from Turkey, because of an unfamiliar healthcare system, the language barrier and long waiting times. In this article, we look in plain language at the difficulties you may meet when seeking mental health care in the country where you live, the general options available, and what you can do for yourself while you wait.
Why Can Finding a Psychologist Abroad Feel So Difficult?
For someone who grew up in Turkey, the route to a psychologist or psychiatrist is usually clear: you apply to a hospital or call a private practice. Abroad, the system may work quite differently, and that difference can be confusing at first.
Common difficulties include the following:
- Not knowing the system: In many countries, you may first need to see a family doctor or general practitioner to access mental health services. In others, you can go directly to private therapists. Which route applies varies from country to country, and sometimes from region to region.
- Waiting times: For psychotherapy offered through the public health system, waiting times can be long in some countries. This wait places an extra burden on someone who is already going through a hard time.
- Insurance and cost: Which services are covered, how much is reimbursed and what conditions apply differ enormously depending on the country and the type of insurance.
- Language: Even people who are comfortable with a foreign language in daily life may struggle to talk about their emotions, childhood memories or family relationships in that language.
- Cultural context: Having to explain concepts such as ayıp (what is considered shameful or improper), family honour, hospitality or the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law relationship at length can be tiring.
These difficulties do not mean that the services in your country of residence are poor. Many countries have high-quality, attentive mental health care. The difficulty usually comes from the system being unfamiliar to you.
Signs That You May Need Support
Before you start looking for support, getting a little clearer about what you are going through makes it easier to knock on the right door. The following signs may suggest that a professional assessment could help:
- Unhappiness, lack of motivation or a feeling of emptiness lasting longer than two weeks
- Anxiety you cannot control, or panic-attack-like symptoms
- Marked changes in sleep and appetite
- Being unable to concentrate on work, school or household tasks
- Constant conflict or a sense of distance in relationships
- A past event coming to mind again and again, or nightmares
- An increase in alcohol or substance use
These signs on their own do not amount to a diagnosis. However, noting how long your symptoms have lasted and how much they affect your daily life will also help the professional you see. Try to remember when the symptoms began and what was changing in your life at that time; events such as moving, changing jobs, a loss or a relationship problem make the picture easier to understand.
General Ways of Finding a Psychologist Abroad
Every country's system is different, and the information here offers only a general framework. For definite answers, you need to check official sources in the country where you live, your family doctor and your insurance company.
Family doctor or general practitioner
In many countries, the first step is the family doctor. They can assess your symptoms and, if necessary, refer you to a psychologist, a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. Writing down what you have been going through in short bullet points before the appointment can ease the language barrier a little.
Psychotherapy through the public system
Psychotherapy services offered through the public system are often covered by insurance, but waiting times can be long. You can register on a waiting list and consider other options in the meantime.
Private therapists
Some people prefer therapists who work in private practice. Waiting times may be shorter, but the cost and the conditions for insurance coverage vary.
Employer and university support programmes
Some employers provide employee assistance programmes (EAP) offering short-term psychological counselling. Universities also often have counselling services for students. You can find out whether such services exist from your HR department or student affairs office.
Online therapy in your mother tongue
Finding a Turkish-speaking professional in the country where you live is not always easy. In that case, online therapy in your mother tongue can be an option. It can be used alongside local services, or during the local waiting period. When considering this option, it helps to ask about the therapist's training, their way of working and how the online sessions are conducted.
Barriers Linked to Language, Culture and Family
It is not only the system that makes it harder for Turks living abroad to seek support. Cultural and family factors play an important role too.
The thought "I'm not bad enough to see a psychologist" is still common. In some families, talking about emotional difficulties may be seen as shameful or as a sign of weakness. In communities living far from home, the worry "What will people say if they find out?" can be even stronger, because the community is small and everyone knows everyone. We explored this topic in more detail in our article on stigma in the diaspora.
For first-generation migrants, the language barrier can be significant. When their children or grandchildren act as interpreters, a person may not be able to express their own feelings freely. Second and third generations may speak the local language fluently, yet find that they need Turkish words when describing their experiences within the family. It is not easy to find exact equivalents in other languages for concepts such as gurbet (life far from home), hasret (deep longing), ayıp and kısmet (fate or fortune).
Seeking support for children and teenagers
If you are looking for support for your child or teenager, the process may be a little different. In many countries, school counselling or guidance services, paediatricians and family counselling centres are among the first points of contact. Even if the child is bilingual, it is a real advantage in family sessions for parents to be able to speak in their mother tongue. Parents can most comfortably describe the difficulty their child is facing, and the dynamics within the family, in their own language. In this case, parent sessions in the mother tongue can be considered alongside local child services.
Imagine a woman in her thirties living in Switzerland who has been to her family doctor for years because of sleep problems. She can describe her symptoms in German, but when it comes to talking about her relationship with her mother, the experience of migration in her childhood and the pressure to marry, the words fall short. In this situation, she might consider a mother-tongue therapist alongside her local support.
What You Can Do for Yourself While You Wait
Even if the wait is long, you can use this time to look after yourself.
1. Keep a record of your symptoms
Keep short daily notes: sleeping hours, your mood, your level of anxiety and the situations that challenge you. This record helps you understand yourself, and it also allows the professional to see the picture quickly at the first session.
2. Build a daily routine
Simple steps such as getting up at the same time each morning, going outside during the day, eating regular meals and limiting screens in the evening can support your mood. The routine does not need to be followed perfectly; what matters is that it is small and sustainable.
3. Move your body
Short walks, light exercise or stretching can help reduce anxiety and tension. Choose a form of movement that you enjoy, without forcing yourself.
4. Practise simple breathing and relaxation techniques
When anxiety rises, slow and steady breathing can calm the body. For example, you can breathe in through your nose for four seconds and breathe out slowly through your mouth for six seconds, repeating this for a few minutes.
5. Activate your support network
Tell a friend or family member you trust that you are going through a hard time. You do not have to tell them everything; even just feeling that you are not alone can help. Planning regular video calls with your loved ones in Turkey can also be supportive during this period.
6. Gather information
Make a note of which options exist in the country where you live, what your insurance covers and which routes your family doctor suggests. Information reduces the anxiety created by uncertainty.
7. Prepare your questions for the first session
When deciding which professional to work with, it helps to write some questions in advance: the professional's training and which therapy approach they use, how often and for how long sessions take place, how confidentiality is protected, what you should do in an emergency, and the fees and cancellation terms. Asking these questions is entirely normal, and a good professional will answer them openly. You also have every right to approach another professional after a first session where you did not feel comfortable. Trust and fit in the therapeutic relationship are an important part of the process. For more tips on choosing a professional, see our article on how to choose a psychologist.
The waiting period does not have to be a passive one. Observing yourself and taking small steps are also part of the healing process.
When Should You Seek Professional Support?
If your symptoms last longer than two weeks, or clearly affect your work, your relationships or your daily self-care, it may be time to seek professional support. It is also important to act without waiting in the following situations:
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life
- If you feel your grip on reality is weakening, you hear voices, or you are showing marked behaviour changes that others have noticed
- If you have barely been able to sleep for several days
- If your safety is at risk
In emergencies like these, call the emergency number of the country where you are: 112 in EU countries, 911 in the US and Canada, 999 or 112 in the UK, and 000 in Australia. Online therapy is not an emergency response service; in cases of serious risk, local emergency services and local psychiatric services are essential. In situations where a medication assessment may be needed, it is also recommended that you see a psychiatrist where you live.
How Does Online Therapy in Your Mother Tongue Work?
Online therapy in your mother tongue is not a rival to the mental health services in the country where you live; it is an option that can be used together with them. Some people begin sessions in their mother tongue while they are on a local waiting list, and others continue therapy alongside local psychiatric follow-up.
A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based approach generally follows these steps:
- Assessment: In the first sessions, we talk about the difficulties you are facing, how long they have lasted, your migration story and your sources of support.
- Goal setting: Concrete and achievable goals are set in areas such as sleep, anxiety, relationships or working life.
- Skill building: We work on thought records, behavioural planning, relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills.
- Coordination with local services: When necessary, and with your consent, you are encouraged to consult a local psychiatrist or your family doctor.
One advantage of working in your mother tongue is that less energy goes into explaining the cultural context. Behind a sentence that begins "I don't want to hurt my mother, but...", there is a mixture of loyalty, guilt and love, and it may not take long explanations to convey it. Still, everyone's needs are different; some clients find it easier to talk about certain subjects in the language of the country where they live. Switching between the two languages during sessions is also perfectly natural.
Sessions are held by video call, and a suitable time is arranged with the time difference in mind. A quiet room, headphones and a secure internet connection are enough. Payment is made online; fees are in Turkish lira (TL), and payment by international card is possible. You will need to check the insurance terms in your country of residence regarding reimbursement. For details, see our page for Turks living abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I apply first when finding a psychologist abroad?
In many countries, the first step is the family doctor. However, because the system differs from country to country, it is best to check the official health resources where you live, as well as your insurance company.
Can I see another therapist while I am on a waiting list?
In most cases, yes. However, it is wise to check whether there is any obstacle in terms of insurance coverage and local rules. If you are working with more than one professional, informing each of them helps ensure consistent support.
Does therapy in a foreign language work?
Many people benefit from therapy in a foreign language. However, for people who express their feelings more comfortably in their mother tongue, therapy in that language can make the process easier. On this subject, you may want to read our article on the difficulty of therapy in a foreign language.
Can online therapy replace local treatment?
That depends on the difficulty you are facing. For many mild to moderate problems, online therapy alone may be appropriate. For severe symptoms, situations that require medication and the presence of risk, local psychiatric services are essential.
Bu yazı genel bilgilendirme amaçlıdır; tanı veya tedavi yerine geçmez. Yaşadığınız güçlükler için bir ruh sağlığı uzmanına başvurmanız önerilir. Acil bir durumda lütfen 112'yi arayın.
Eda Erkan Alapala
Klinik Psikolog. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Klinik Psikoloji Tezli Yüksek Lisans mezunu; bilişsel davranışçı terapi, çocuk merkezli oyun terapisi ve çocuk-ergen psikoterapisi alanlarında eğitimlerini tamamlamıştır.
Eğitimler