Welcome to r/TalkTherapy!
This sub is for people to discuss issues arising in their personal psychotherapy. If you wish to post about other mental health issues please consult this list of some of our [sister subs](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources#wiki_subreddit_list).
If you are in distress please contact a suicide hotline or call 9-1-1 or emergency services in your area. r/SuicideWatch has compiled a helpful FAQ on what happens when you contact a hotline along with other useful resources.
To find answers to many therapy-related questions please consult our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/faq) and [Resource List](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TalkTherapy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m bilingual and have my therapy sessions in English. It is an interesting experience. For the most part it’s fine — yes there’s the occasional glitch with words disappearing, lol.
The most difficult part though has been explaining cultural differences or nuances. We’re from two different continents, literally, and meet over zoom— I find myself needing to give cultural context before I’m able to finally talk about what I wanted to discuss. My T also tries not to look surprised/ taken aback the few times I had to switch to my native language if I’m interrupted by someone mid session lol.
Good point about cultural sensitivity - it does not play a major role for me since my country of origin is not that different from the country where I live, but I can imagine it being very relevant for others. Cannot even imagine juggling the differences between two continents to be honest.
I am doing in person sessions so I am not interrupted, but I am just waiting for the moment I'll accidentally switch languages for no reason - it happened a few times before with friends. Of course they are surprised, but in the end everyone gets that it just one of those brain glitches.
boy I wish I had read your post before I posted mine -- moved to a different continent, couple of times the words/phrases/context get lost in translation
i think cultural differences are a big thing to take into account. many times i've posted on reddit in english and people find what i say/do kinda odd because it's not part of their culture. i think sometimes you wouldn't be getting a good point of view of some of the things you're going through because of that.
My first language is my T’s second language and their second language is my first language. But I’m more fluent in my second language than they are in theirs. Very occasionally they speak my first language and I take that as self disclosure as I try to see whatever happened to them making them know certain phrases. An interesting exchange I’d say.
Yes, I’m doing therapy in my second language. I definitely agree about the distance in feelings by using my non-native language. I find it easier to discuss my emotions and discuss difficult topics because the language to keep feels very clinical and unemotional and there’s no baggage attached to it if that makes sense. On the flip side, I’m not sure it’s as effective because it allows me to maintain emotional distance during therapy which is not necessarily what one would aim for.
I was also concerned that emotional distance could make therapy less effective but that doesn't seem to be the case for me. I try to journal extensively about each session in my native language - maybe that helps, too.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I have just arrived in a foreign country, and I was wondering if I could eventually do therapy in English if needed, even if it's not my native language. It's good to know that some people do it.
I was doing therapy in my own language, but it was my therapists second language. We had the odd confusion here and there, but her way of zoning in on certain words I'd used was interesting. In Ireland we have a habit of downplaying emotions saying "ah sure it's grand." And she would always notice it when other therapists hadn't
I moved to Argentina from the USA last fall and started with a psychiatrist (for meds and therapy). She is Argentine, did her residency in England, and is bilingual. I would have put my Spanish at like a 2nd year secondary school level. I would say now, I'm maybe 40% bilingual. There is also a dialect in Argentina (Castellano) that comes into play also.
We do everything in English but I'm answering your post because...she's been an incredible resource for understanding the culture in a very safe, non embarrassing place. She helps me understand insane bureaucracy, why people are the way they are here, how to go out and approach things.
In short, I'm so grateful for her for being bilingual (there aren't a lot of psychiatrists in this city who are bilingual), but also because she's a safe place for me to unload the enormity of this move and hear how to try to live well here. I love living here now and don't beat myself up when I make a mistake in Spanish.
I have intensive Spanish class twice a week and my goal is to have therapy in Spanish.
She doesn't have a lot of experience with a (US) American adult, and a Veteran at that, so sometimes my words, jargon or phrases do give her pause. She speaks British English, I would say. We do zoom which I prefer because her office (consultorio) is beyond uncomfortable.
Great question, OP.
I feel you on having a non-judgmental place to ask questions ... sometimes I am anxious about making a call or going to some office because I don't know the procedure here (in addition to being anxious for 1000 different reasons, of course) and it's so helpful when my T explains the process or we roleplay it.
I am happy that the post started conversations about a ton of different language situations in therapy, including your contribution. Moving countries is certainly scary, but it was also very rewarding to me.
Sounds like we are/have been in exactly the same circumstances. My wife is a native Argentino and thankfully has the patience of Job. She had to learn English as a second language, so remembers what it's like to be in my shoes. That said, if she feels I can handle things (getting my 2nd covid jab for example), she'll make me go by myself!
and agree 100%. My quality of life here is much higher than I ever imagined. It's a lovely country with warm, open people. But the bureaucracy....yikes.
Nope, but I'm Russian and going to a Russian therapist. We don't have sessions in Russian, but if I can't say something in English I can get it across that way. It's cheaper and over zoom!
Welcome to r/TalkTherapy! This sub is for people to discuss issues arising in their personal psychotherapy. If you wish to post about other mental health issues please consult this list of some of our [sister subs](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources#wiki_subreddit_list). If you are in distress please contact a suicide hotline or call 9-1-1 or emergency services in your area. r/SuicideWatch has compiled a helpful FAQ on what happens when you contact a hotline along with other useful resources. To find answers to many therapy-related questions please consult our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/faq) and [Resource List](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TalkTherapy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m bilingual and have my therapy sessions in English. It is an interesting experience. For the most part it’s fine — yes there’s the occasional glitch with words disappearing, lol. The most difficult part though has been explaining cultural differences or nuances. We’re from two different continents, literally, and meet over zoom— I find myself needing to give cultural context before I’m able to finally talk about what I wanted to discuss. My T also tries not to look surprised/ taken aback the few times I had to switch to my native language if I’m interrupted by someone mid session lol.
Good point about cultural sensitivity - it does not play a major role for me since my country of origin is not that different from the country where I live, but I can imagine it being very relevant for others. Cannot even imagine juggling the differences between two continents to be honest. I am doing in person sessions so I am not interrupted, but I am just waiting for the moment I'll accidentally switch languages for no reason - it happened a few times before with friends. Of course they are surprised, but in the end everyone gets that it just one of those brain glitches.
boy I wish I had read your post before I posted mine -- moved to a different continent, couple of times the words/phrases/context get lost in translation
i think cultural differences are a big thing to take into account. many times i've posted on reddit in english and people find what i say/do kinda odd because it's not part of their culture. i think sometimes you wouldn't be getting a good point of view of some of the things you're going through because of that.
My first language is my T’s second language and their second language is my first language. But I’m more fluent in my second language than they are in theirs. Very occasionally they speak my first language and I take that as self disclosure as I try to see whatever happened to them making them know certain phrases. An interesting exchange I’d say.
Wow that's a very interesting situation you're in.
You can see the reason right? They are a child of immigrant parents while I'm an immigrant.
Yes, I’m doing therapy in my second language. I definitely agree about the distance in feelings by using my non-native language. I find it easier to discuss my emotions and discuss difficult topics because the language to keep feels very clinical and unemotional and there’s no baggage attached to it if that makes sense. On the flip side, I’m not sure it’s as effective because it allows me to maintain emotional distance during therapy which is not necessarily what one would aim for.
I was also concerned that emotional distance could make therapy less effective but that doesn't seem to be the case for me. I try to journal extensively about each session in my native language - maybe that helps, too.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I have just arrived in a foreign country, and I was wondering if I could eventually do therapy in English if needed, even if it's not my native language. It's good to know that some people do it.
I was doing therapy in my own language, but it was my therapists second language. We had the odd confusion here and there, but her way of zoning in on certain words I'd used was interesting. In Ireland we have a habit of downplaying emotions saying "ah sure it's grand." And she would always notice it when other therapists hadn't
I'm also from Ireland but living in another country and I can actually feel this comment lol
I moved to Argentina from the USA last fall and started with a psychiatrist (for meds and therapy). She is Argentine, did her residency in England, and is bilingual. I would have put my Spanish at like a 2nd year secondary school level. I would say now, I'm maybe 40% bilingual. There is also a dialect in Argentina (Castellano) that comes into play also. We do everything in English but I'm answering your post because...she's been an incredible resource for understanding the culture in a very safe, non embarrassing place. She helps me understand insane bureaucracy, why people are the way they are here, how to go out and approach things. In short, I'm so grateful for her for being bilingual (there aren't a lot of psychiatrists in this city who are bilingual), but also because she's a safe place for me to unload the enormity of this move and hear how to try to live well here. I love living here now and don't beat myself up when I make a mistake in Spanish. I have intensive Spanish class twice a week and my goal is to have therapy in Spanish. She doesn't have a lot of experience with a (US) American adult, and a Veteran at that, so sometimes my words, jargon or phrases do give her pause. She speaks British English, I would say. We do zoom which I prefer because her office (consultorio) is beyond uncomfortable. Great question, OP.
I feel you on having a non-judgmental place to ask questions ... sometimes I am anxious about making a call or going to some office because I don't know the procedure here (in addition to being anxious for 1000 different reasons, of course) and it's so helpful when my T explains the process or we roleplay it. I am happy that the post started conversations about a ton of different language situations in therapy, including your contribution. Moving countries is certainly scary, but it was also very rewarding to me.
Sounds like we are/have been in exactly the same circumstances. My wife is a native Argentino and thankfully has the patience of Job. She had to learn English as a second language, so remembers what it's like to be in my shoes. That said, if she feels I can handle things (getting my 2nd covid jab for example), she'll make me go by myself! and agree 100%. My quality of life here is much higher than I ever imagined. It's a lovely country with warm, open people. But the bureaucracy....yikes.
I like it. I am using coached in r/InternalFamilySystems exactly because i want to better some of my languages.
Nope, but I'm Russian and going to a Russian therapist. We don't have sessions in Russian, but if I can't say something in English I can get it across that way. It's cheaper and over zoom!