I’m an immigrant.  I moved from the UK to live in France and as anyone who has done the same, particularly in recent years the process can be stressful and complex.  Administration and bureaucracy can be overwhelming and the difficulties of settling into a new life as an ex-pat, a new community, work, friend circles, along with perhaps missing family all take their toll on what was often a move to access a “better life” for many people.

Finding a GP can be tough in some areas of France and one of the things that I think is quite similar here as it is in the UK is the misconception that mental health care must be sought through referral from a GP.  Perhaps the fear that cost will be preventative if seeking privately or perhaps the fear of not really knowing where to look and what to look for.  The additional fear of failing to be understood when you may not be fluent in the language of your therapist could be a barrier to seeking help.

Cost can be an worry for some and it is likely that seeking a private therapist might exclude insurance and certainly CPAM reimbursement.  But actually, the reality is that often counsellors don’t charge a high fee and some, like myself, offer a sliding scale or concessions for lower income earners.  Thinking about your mental health as being an important part of your living experience and as important as your physical health needs might help to put into perspective how different things could be if some of the issues that have been affecting you emotionally and mentally were processed and diminished.

English-speaking therapists in some areas of France are more common than others so how can someone go about finding a suitable counsellor/therapist when the choice may be somewhat reduced.  A google search often doesn’t give much joy but you might come across counsellinginfrance,which is a lovely little directory run by an ex-pat that lists counsellors and therapists in all the different parts of France (and Spain on a sister site).

What is most important when looking for a counsellor is that you connect with the person you’re working with and sharing very personal and sometimes painful information with.  If you can’t find a local counsellor who speaks your language or connects with you in a way that feels right you can always consider working with a counsellor online, usually over secure video call.

Often the things that need the work aren’t the aspects of living abroad but these aspects can present a barrier in seeking help for the things that you really need help to explore.  Feeling alone and sometime quite isolated can add to feelings of hopelessness and being stuck.  Knowing that there are ways to find what you need as an ex-pat – that it is often affordable and that you can have a way forward can encourage you take that step and reach out for help and the new life you deserve.