Is there a western trained psychologist or psychiatrist in CM?

[Saan]

I have a young friend whose mental state is disturbing me greatly. Does anyone know of a western psychologist or psychiatrist who works in Chiang Mai? I am asking about a western practitioner as I think he or she may have better insight into problems of a European man. But if anyone knows of a Thai that they think has this insight please let me know.

[anto]

I know a retired German one here ,but he is drunk %100 of his waking life . lol

[Saan]

I know a retired German one here ,but he is drunk %100 of his waking life . lol

Thanks for your concern in what is a every serious matter.

[uptheos]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

[scorecard]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

With total respect for the post from uptheos, can I encourage you to check carefully into qualifications and experience before using anybody for counseling or psychiatric assessment, etc.

I strongly respect and admire your concern for your friend, and Good luck.

[anto]

I know a retired German one here ,but he is drunk %100 of his waking life . lol

Thanks for your concern in what is a every serious matter.

I was trying to make the point that quite a few psychologist have severe mental problems themselves .The German man i know is just one example . Your friend would be better off talking to a mature relative or other person that he can trust 100%

[harrry]

http://www.chamlongclinic-psych.com/

Dr Chamlong seemed pretty reasonable when he saw a friend of mine. At that time the appoitment was made at Sripat and cost 500 baht and we were with him for 45 minutes.

He is or was head of CMUs Psychiatry Dept.

He speaks good english

[uptheos]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

With total respect for the post from uptheos, can I encourage you to check carefully into qualifications and experience before using anybody for counseling or psychiatric assessment, etc.

I strongly respect and admire your concern for your friend, and Good luck.

http://ccfthailand.org/counselors-and-staff/professional-staff/william-hoppe/

He's the real deal and a nice man too. Completely non judgemental and won't push any religion.

I admit to seeing him four times and we talked through many issues, to my satisfaction.

[hellodolly]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

With total respect for the post from uptheos, can I encourage you to check carefully into qualifications and experience before using anybody for counseling or psychiatric assessment, etc.

I strongly respect and admire your concern for your friend, and Good luck.

Not exactly sure of all the different christian organizations but I do believe the Catholic ministry goes through a bit of training in the field as well as if they are older a lot of experience. Hope your friend finds the help he needs.

[Lobo4819]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

With total respect for the post from uptheos, can I encourage you to check carefully into qualifications and experience before using anybody for counseling or psychiatric assessment, etc.

I strongly respect and admire your concern for your friend, and Good luck.

Not exactly sure of all the different christian organizations but I do believe the Catholic ministry goes through a bit of training in the field as well as if they are older a lot of experience. Hope your friend finds the help he needs.

The Catholics need all the counseling they can get.

[elektrified]

http://ccfthailand.org/services/

Cornerstone has a Christian bias, but if you make it politely clear you don't want it from a religious perspective (if you don't), then it won't be forced on you. The recommended 'donation' is 1,000 Baht a 55 minute session. I recommend William Hoppe MD Psychiatrist, he's quite thorough. If you fancy it, and give it a go, good luck.

Take no notice of anto he's usually as drunk as the German guy he knows.

With total respect for the post from uptheos, can I encourage you to check carefully into qualifications and experience before using anybody for counseling or psychiatric assessment, etc.

I strongly respect and admire your concern for your friend, and Good luck.

http://ccfthailand.org/counselors-and-staff/professional-staff/william-hoppe/

He's the real deal and a nice man too. Completely non judgemental and won't push any religion.

I admit to seeing him four times and we talked through many issues, to my satisfaction.

Thanks for posting that link uptheos. I checked out the entire staff's CV's and they are certainly very well qualified and experienced. I never knew there was such a facility here in C.M. (looks very well funded). Since this comes up fairly often - that is the need for Westerners to seek help from mental health professionals, maybe Tywais could add the Cornerstone Counseling Center to the pinned medical list. I really don't think the Thai practitioners would be of much help to a Westerner in time of need. They may be qualified but worlds apart culturally. http://ccfthailand.org/ is the link to the main web page.

[Saan]

Thank you Up Theos and Harry for your recommendations. At times like this you really appreciate the help and support that is available through Thai Visa.

[NancyL]

I would encourage your friend to see a see a psychiatrist, at least initially, who is able to prescribe medications. Some of the newest and best meds are only available thru hospital pharmacies and not in the retail store pharmacies. I've seen people change almost overnight after starting on appropriate meds. I'm not saying meds are the only answer, but often they can be part of the solution and may be overlooked if someone is just talking with a counselor.

[harrry]

That would be one advantage of Dr Chamlong who can prescribe hospital meds but also has an interest in counselling and meditation for psychiatric problems.

Both aspects are complementary.

[uptheos]

That would be one advantage of Dr Chamlong who can prescribe hospital meds but also has an interest in counselling and meditation for psychiatric problems.

Both aspects are complementary.

Sorry to disagree harry, but Dr Chamlong is past his best and his clinic is full of zombies. I took a lady friend to see him who was quite depressed, he took her history for 5 minutes and on that basis prescribed Zoloft, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Ativan & Vit B12 to be taken at recommended times. His wife who dishes out the medication got quite 'fidgety' when I started discussing the need for the latter three. The lady in question being Thai, complied with the medication regime out of respect and within a week was like one of the living dead. Needless to say meds were stopped and an alternative source of help found and she's now doing well.

[Chicog]

Judging by this and other forums, if there isn't one there should be. Plenty of business to be had!

[elektrified]

That would be one advantage of Dr Chamlong who can prescribe hospital meds but also has an interest in counselling and meditation for psychiatric problems.

Both aspects are complementary.

Sorry to disagree harry, but Dr Chamlong is past his best and his clinic is full of zombies. I took a lady friend to see him who was quite depressed, he took her history for 5 minutes and on that basis prescribed Zoloft, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Ativan & Vit B12 to be taken at recommended times. His wife who dishes out the medication got quite 'fidgety' when I started discussing the need for the latter three. The lady in question being Thai, complied with the medication regime out of respect and within a week was like one of the living dead. Needless to say meds were stopped and an alternative source of help found and she's now doing well.

That's crazy. A 5 minute consult and 3 X different benzos + Zoloft. No wonder all the patients are like zombies. And I don't understand the B-12. Meditation? Never heard of an M.D. using meditation. It has it's uses but certainly not for depression - at least not the initial stages of treatment. I'm with uptheos on seeing the Western trained therapists at Cornerstone, even though I have never been there myself.

[Saan]

I think Up Theos experiences have guided me to Dr Hoppe. I also have a bias, considering the subtleties of psychiatry, for a western doctor for problems with a western mind.

[uptheos]

That would be one advantage of Dr Chamlong who can prescribe hospital meds but also has an interest in counselling and meditation for psychiatric problems.

Both aspects are complementary.

Sorry to disagree harry, but Dr Chamlong is past his best and his clinic is full of zombies. I took a lady friend to see him who was quite depressed, he took her history for 5 minutes and on that basis prescribed Zoloft, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Ativan & Vit B12 to be taken at recommended times. His wife who dishes out the medication got quite 'fidgety' when I started discussing the need for the latter three. The lady in question being Thai, complied with the medication regime out of respect and within a week was like one of the living dead. Needless to say meds were stopped and an alternative source of help found and she's now doing well.

That's crazy. A 5 minute consult and 3 X different benzos + Zoloft. No wonder all the patients are like zombies. And I don't understand the B-12. Meditation? Never heard of an M.D. using meditation. It has it's uses but certainly not for depression - at least not the initial stages of treatment. I'm with uptheos on seeing the Western trained therapists at Cornerstone, even though I have never been there myself.

I could accept Zoloft as it's a widely over prescribed anti-depressant and perhaps alprazolam to aid sleep, as one of Zoloft's main side effects is insomnia. I saw no need at all for the Diazepam, Ativan or B12. I asked his wife the questions about the latter three and she responded in Thai to my friend, turning her head away from me. I suggested not to take the Diazepam and Lorazepam, but being Thai and Dr Chamlong's word being sacrosanct,.........

[uptheos]

I think Up Theos experiences have guided me to Dr Hoppe. I also have a bias, considering the subtleties of psychiatry, for a western doctor for problems with a western mind.

Saan, you only need to try. He may not be your cup of tea or you might find him helpful. Either way it will cost you an hour and a some baht, not a lot to lose. IMO he is a very switched on counsellor, who is also a psychiatrist.

[elektrified]

Almost all women I have met in Thailand who are on antidepressants (so many are here) have been prescribed Effexor.

[uptheos]

Almost all women I have met in Thailand who are on antidepressants (so many are here) have been prescribed Effexor.

Effexor XR is quite expensive with no generic available. Zoloft can be purchased cheaply as sertraline.

You must mix with the hi-so ladies.

Actually Amitriptyline 25mg at 1 baht a tablet is as effective as any newer medications. The side effects are harder to get used to though and it takes a few weeks to kick in, that's why a lot of people jack it in after a few days. Useful in depression where sleeping is a problem, but it's hard to carry on a job or normal daytime activities during the first few weeks.

[anto]

Almost all women I have met in Thailand who are on antidepressants (so many are here) have been prescribed Effexor.

Effexor XR is quite expensive with no generic available. Zoloft can be purchased cheaply as sertraline.

You must mix with the hi-so ladies.

Actually Amitriptyline 25mg at 1 baht a tablet is as effective as any newer medications. The side effects are harder to get used to though and it takes a few weeks to kick in, that's why a lot of people jack it in after a few days. Useful in depression where sleeping is a problem, but it's hard to carry on a job or normal daytime activities during the first few weeks.

Just wondering how you got to know so much about the various medications ?

[uptheos]

Almost all women I have met in Thailand who are on antidepressants (so many are here) have been prescribed Effexor.

Effexor XR is quite expensive with no generic available. Zoloft can be purchased cheaply as sertraline.

You must mix with the hi-so ladies.

Actually Amitriptyline 25mg at 1 baht a tablet is as effective as any newer medications. The side effects are harder to get used to though and it takes a few weeks to kick in, that's why a lot of people jack it in after a few days. Useful in depression where sleeping is a problem, but it's hard to carry on a job or normal daytime activities during the first few weeks.

Just wondering how you got to know so much about the various medications ?

Have a guess.......and I bet you'll be wrong.

[Mapguy]

I would encourage your friend to see a see a psychiatrist, at least initially, who is able to prescribe medications. Some of the newest and best meds are only available thru hospital pharmacies and not in the retail store pharmacies. I've seen people change almost overnight after starting on appropriate meds. I'm not saying meds are the only answer, but often they can be part of the solution and may be overlooked if someone is just talking with a counselor.

It is not a good idea to play doctor when you aren't qualified to be one.

As well, this OP request seems to have stimulated totally inappropriate and unqualified discussion of medications. The OP's request was for a "Western-trained" practitioner, not to practice counseling or medicine however qualified.

OP, you might check with the large hospitals in the area and interview the qualified staff in those institutions other than those agencies (some religiously-based) and individuals which have already been mentioned. If none is available or satisfactory, then perhaps there are one or more "Western-trained" specialists, for example, in Bangkok. Most hospitals which cater to Westerners in Bangkok are easy to find on the internet. You can start with Bumrungrad, a reputable hospital that caters to Westerners. It is easy to check more broadly.

[roberkla]

Just a small reply: We will arrive in CM in january. My wife is a fully trained dutch psychologist. When there is still an urgent need for one, may be she can help/advise.

[anto]

Almost all women I have met in Thailand who are on antidepressants (so many are here) have been prescribed Effexor.

Effexor XR is quite expensive with no generic available. Zoloft can be purchased cheaply as sertraline.

You must mix with the hi-so ladies.

Actually Amitriptyline 25mg at 1 baht a tablet is as effective as any newer medications. The side effects are harder to get used to though and it takes a few weeks to kick in, that's why a lot of people jack it in after a few days. Useful in depression where sleeping is a problem, but it's hard to carry on a job or normal daytime activities during the first few weeks.

Just wondering how you got to know so much about the various medications ?

Have a guess.......and I bet you'll be wrong.

OK so you don't want to answer my question . .

[Mapguy]

This thread has quickly deteriorated into an appalling collection of unqualified, unuseful and otherwise frivolous comments.

[Rimmer]

Derogatory racist comment removed also one quoted reply:

In using Thai Visa I agree:

7) Not to post slurs or degrading comments directed towards any group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[anto]

Sorry it was meant as a light hearted comment about the Dutch people who i like very much ,having lived there for 3 years aprox ,and visiting at least once a year when i was in Europe ."als du blieft"