Couples Therapy

[Trev]

Does anyone know of a good and reputable couples therapist? The person would preferrably be fluent in both English and Thai, however English is a necessity.

In a place such as Bangkok it would surprise me if there wasn't a whole host of people offering their services. If there isn't anything available then I would guess that this is a huge area of opportunity for some would be therapists.

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

You had better discuss this carefully with the spouse as believe most Thai would consider such a visit as marking them as crazy. Do not believe you will find much in the way of mental health facilities in the forms we may be accustomed.

Are you trying to say something about us Bangkok folk?

[Trev]

Not a comment about Bangkok folk at all... on the contrary actually. Given the number of ill-fated farang who find themselves in difficult relationships it would seem that there would be a buck to be made trying to soothe their misery. Not even to mention the altogether normal people who just need a little help bridging the lingo/cultural divide... which is the category I would place myself.

[toastwars]

First rule...never mention any problems in front of anyone else...face and all that...

Edited March 3, 2005 by toastwars

[Abandon]

Psychology is slowly taking off in Thailand. It has been studied now by many asians and there are now regular conferences and courses for training. It had suffered before from being so Western in its outlook and most councellors and psychologists were western. But these days with a shift away from the traditional Freudian analysis methods (which were never so applicable to Asians), and with lots of qualified and skilled asian therapists of all schools, it is taking hold, and mental health/unhealth is being recognised for the importance it has.

Last year a national hotline opened for the Somdeth Mental Health hospital

Freephone 1667

It's a good number if you know people who are contemplating suicide, are drug addicts etc... They have mostly asian workers, but are able to offer services in English. Also all the therapists, being mostly Thai, are aware of particularly 'Thai' problems and are well trained in overcoming the 'face' issue. It would be a good place to start looking for couples therapy, though their emphasis is mostly crisis orientated at the moment. Still they can always refer you.

I should add that I have met and worked a little with some of the therapists/psychologists there and found them to be top notch. The Asain/Thai approach is somewhat warmer than harsh analysis approach (which admittedly has been tempered in the West also in recent years)

[girlx]

the therapists, being mostly Thai, are aware of particularly 'Thai' problems and are well trained in overcoming the 'face' issue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i need help with this desperately. i simply don't understand my partners reactions to things. he thinks i am too "straight" - or too direct when i am talking to him. i love him but i don't think we will last if someone doesn't help us talk to each other in a way that is satisfying to both. if anyone finds a good counselor, please post it here. maybe someone could start a site with advice on this?!

[andy50]

hi girlx its me again,your pains may be due to stress ,my friend had the same thing after his wife left him ,he lost a stone a week and became extremely ill with pain in his joints as well,

get out of that stressful situation !!

[Abandon]

girlX - you can start a thread about your situation if you like - it might help especially if your bf is Western.

But unfortunaltely you will be exposed to some of the unsympathetic and unkind views of a few people.

I'll try and get a number, but you can ring the freephone number 1667 and listen to the options they give for contact about various different situations. Certainly they could refer you to someone qualified.

[John K]

I deal in this area, in fact it is a special area. However I don’t speak Thai yet. If you are interested in more reply and I will send you more information. There is a article in The Big Chilli on me March 2005 page 61 and also on Page 98.

John Krukowski, C.H.

[Mike West]

On 3/9/2005 at 12:06 AM, girlx said:

i need help with this desperately. i simply don't understand my partners reactions to things. he thinks i am too "straight" - or too direct when i am talking to him. i love him but i don't think we will last if someone doesn't help us talk to each other in a way that is satisfying to both. if anyone finds a good counselor, please post it here. maybe someone could start a site with advice on this?!

what happened in the end? you find one? 

[ThaiPauly]

The OP has not visited the forum for 5 years so it is unlikely you will get a response from him unfortunatley

[Sheryl]

Since this thread is 13 yrars old you are unlikely to get a reply from the OP.

There is a pinned thread in this forum with list of counselirs/therapists etc. Please see that. (Mental health resource list).

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Mike West]

Yes I saw when it was posted,  I still thought it was worth a shot and intrigued me more since it was more than 10 years old.