Hello!
I’ve been struggling for some time now. I was planning on arranging remote meetings with a Psychologist from my country but I thought maybe I can find one here in Japan, how expensive is it?
Also, does Universities have Psychologists for Psychological support? I didn’t ask yet because I don’t know how to ask it, \[心理的なサポートが必要なのですが、本学には心理カウンセラーがいますか？\[Shinri-tekina sapōto ga hitsuyōna nodesuga, hongaku ni wa shinri kaunserā ga imasu ka?\]\] would something like this work?
If you’ve been to any Japanese Psychologists before, would you recommend it? My problems more related to Japan and future that’s why I’m hesitant on arranging a remote session with Psychologists from my home country, they might not get what’s going on and what makes me anxious.
I think, I will be able to explain myself in Japanese. And the problems I’m facing. Thanks for any help! As a note, for whole part of my life, I’ve been told that Psychological help is same as a good friend or family member that you can fully share your thoughts with. I’ve been doing that with a couple of good friends and family members. I’m aware of my problems, where they come from and how to beat them. I just can’t get rid of these negative feelings which pulls me down.
For example, I would feel down and hopeless for like a week, then call that close friend, talk about 1-2 hours, of his life and mine. Discuss what’s good and bad etc, great talk that makes me hopeful and happy again. Give it 4 days, I’m back in square one. Is visiting Psychologists going to be the same? I’m asking because I don’t know, and I have never been to one before.
Update:
I’ve read some comments and it seems going to a Psychologists doesn’t look like a good idea.
I’ve talked about my problems to a very intellectual senior of mine. He explained many things in detail and recommended me a book. I will start reading it and he said the things I’m experiencing is nothing that can’t be fixed with knowledge and understanding my current situation.
7 comments
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time. Japan can be a difficult place to go through mental health struggles, especially if your usual support network of family and friends are far away. Just know that you’re not alone— a lot of people go through what you’re experiencing.
Do you have a student support officer or medical/clerical staff at your university? If so, definitely talk to them about how you’re feeling and they may be able to direct you to any student psychologist or student counselling services on site. The student counsellor can probably also suggest mental health clinics in the area if you are hoping to see a professional psychologist for a diagnosis or medication.
If your university doesn’t offer any such service, you can always call the TELL helpline if you need someone to talk to in a crisis: https://telljp.com
They also have resources that will allow you to find psychologists in your area. They do also offer online counselling but their counselling style may not be for everyone. Try a session and if you feel it’s not a good fit for you, you don’t have to go again as they only charge per session. They do have a sliding price scale that they can adjust depending on your income (I think most clinics offering therapy do this though).
I’ve been going to therapy in Japan for a few months now and it’s been helping me a lot. I hope it will help you too. Wishing you all the best, and please hang in there. <3
/r/Japanmentalhealth might be a good place to check. All the best!
As much as possible avoid medical psychologists or 精神科. Their main goal is to hospitalize you for life can treat you like livestock and collect government money.
Never agree to go to hospital, once you sign you sign away your entire life. 1/3 of the global hospitalized psych patients are in Japan. The conditions are extremely poor as most patients are tied up in bed for months to years at a time with long term sedative effect anti-psycholic dosing.
The doctors will generally be prescribing benzodiazepines for the long term for pretty much anything, as the side effects from long term dosing could allow them to hospitalize.
Please be careful, they are not good people. I have friends trapped for years now!
https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/en/document/statements/211015.html
https://note.com/omh/n/n72868924bd1a
Most universities have 学生相談室 (student counseling center). It’s free of charge.
There is nothing wrong with the wording you wrote to ask. More likely, the university has an international student support office that will be able to answer your questions in English and other languages.
Please also refer to the links below. I personally consider those run by prefectures (such as [Tokyo Metropolitan Government](https://www.wakanavi-tokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/english/)) to be more reliable than those run by volunteers.
[https://www.waseda.jp/inst/hsc/en/information/counseling/consultation-list](https://www.waseda.jp/inst/hsc/en/information/counseling/consultation-list)
Avoid psychologist, find a psychiatrist instead but be warned, it will be expensive. And more so if you want it in English.
Best to find someone that has trained in a western county because the philosophy is often different here. There are many Japanese psychologists that have trained overseas and many foreign licensed psychologists that can work in Japan.
I recommend looking for English-speaking psychologists (not psychiatrists) in Japan, regardless of their nationality because they will understand Japanese society.
And as another comment said, going to [r/Japanmentalhealth](https://www.reddit.com/r/Japanmentalhealth/) is a good start.