Question 1

Who are the therapists?

Accepted Answer

The therapists  are qualified therapists consisting of Psychologists, Counsellors, and Psychotherapists. Every therapist is required to submit a detailed Application s confirming their identity and qualifications.

Question 2

How can I tell if I really need therapy?

Accepted Answer

Your symptoms or difficulties don’t have to be of a particular severity for you to benefit from reaching out. Therapy sessions can also help you to simply gain more clarity on an issue, change some difficult behaviors or thought patterns, or even embark on a journey of creative self-discovery. You may seek therapy as a result of recent life changes, or because of a crisis, or you may be encouraged to seek therapy by family members, friends or colleagues.

It is important to realise that, though some people have distinct issues i.e symptoms — such as panic attacks or insomnia— many clients simply feel a lack of meaning and seek a sense of purpose in their lives. Also, it’s good to think of symptoms as signalling that an underlying problem exists and needs to be addressed.

Question 3

What happens in a therapy session?

Accepted Answer

What happens in a session very much depends on the approach of the therapist and the style of therapy.  Your therapist will be trained in listening and in asking questions to make you reflect around certain themes, and of course in providing a safe environment in which to explore your issues. With most types of therapy you are free to discuss what you wish, from everyday events, dilemmas, feelings, and thoughts, to regrets, aspirations, memories and dreams.

Often, shorter-term forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy, can be more structured and provide practical exercises to help you understand your thoughts and actions. Psychodynamic therapies and psychoanalysis explore how childhood experiences and trauma affect patterns of behaviors today. By a process that often also includes working with the unconscious (such as dreams, fantasy, play) a person can help to gain access to their feeling life as well as finding an ethical compass in life. This process is often longer and can involve a year of work or more.

Question 4

What issues can therapy help with?

Accepted Answer

Clients come with a wide range of problems, including:

addiction and substance misuse
anxiety (generalised anxiety problems, panic attacks, agoraphobia, social anxiety, claustrophobia)
bereavement/grief/loss. 
abuse (including physical, verbal, and sexual abuse)
depression (including suicidal thoughts, low mood, social withdrawal)
eating problems (including bulimia, binge eating, negative body image)
low self-esteem and lack of confidence
obsessive-compulsive disorder
phobias and fears
relationship issues (breakups, divorce, affairs, loneliness, life adjustments, marital problems, arguments, jealousy, wedding and premarital issues)
sexual problems (impotence, internet/pornography/sex addiction, loss of desire, infertility)
trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder from accidents, rape and other attacks/incidents)
workplace issues (stress, work-life imbalances)

Question 5

Can I speak to a therapist before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the therapist and you can look specifically for a therapist who will offer a free consultation before you meet.

You will be able to see on a therapists profile page if they offer a free trial 'Discovery Call'

Question 6

Does my doctor need to refer me for an appointment?

Accepted Answer

No. You are free to refer yourself to any of the therapists displayed on Expat Therapy Hub. The only exception is if your insurers require you to have a doctor referral in order to gain coverage for treatment.

Question 7

Can a therapist prescribe medication if I need it?

Accepted Answer

Therapists are not eligible to prescribe medication.

Question 8

Will my therapist be available for me in a crisis?

Accepted Answer

Your therapist will be available to you at your scheduled appointment time only.
In the case of an emergency please refer to your local emergency services.  Expat Therapy Hub provide a list of emergency contacts in many countries here.

Question 9

When are therapists available?

Accepted Answer

Our therapists are located across the globe covering many time zones.  The therapist will be able to let you know their availability.