Finding English-language mental health services in Japan

Introducing a list of English-language mental health services in Japan. 

Editor's note - Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus (Covid19) some medical institutions in Japan, including those that offer English-language mental health services and counseling, may have adjusted times of availability and changes to their regular services.

It was Mahatma Ghandi who said that “it is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver” - and the man had a legitimate point. Good health is impossible to put a price on, and the importance of our mental health would likely be close to the top of that list. As expats in Japan, this may be the element of our overall health that becomes the hardest to look after, though. We face some unique challenges when we’re not in our home countries: things like homesickness, lack of access to our usual support networks, and the day-to-day challenges of adapting to an entirely different culture being just a few.

Mental health care is something that expats often need, but struggle to find - and language barriers are regularly one of the biggest obstacles in seeking care.

The mental health challenges expats face

A report produced by Aetna, an international health insurance provider, noted the growing issues surrounding mental health for expats around the globe. Their research findings (with data obtained between 2014 and 2016) saw large growth in the number of depression and anxiety related claims (a 50% increase and 39% increase respectively). Some statistics from the Aetna research paper can be found below -- I’m sure that many of us can tick off a few of those pressure points which cause strain on our lives here in Japan. I've certainly struggled myself with not having the support networks I once did (this was especially pronounced when adapting to life as a new mother), struggles in finding meaningful work, and difficulties with the language.

These were some of the top stress generators, or "pressure points" for expats from a research paper commissioned by international insurance company Aetna. How many have you encountered during your years here in Japan?

Unlike physical ailments, which can often be understood by way of an x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or a game of charades as a last resort, mental health concerns generally require one key component: ease of communication between the client and the therapist or counselor. When you can’t do that in your native tongue, it makes things substantially more difficult. Thankfully, if you dig around a bit, there are a number of mental health services in Japan provided in English and sometimes other languages.

If you’ve been putting off finding a counselor or therapist who speaks your language because it seems too difficult, never fear: we’ve compiled a listing of some English-speaking mental health services in Japan. Some of them also offer services in languages other than English, too!

Tokyo and surrounds

Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic

Minato-ku, Tokyo

https://tmsc.jp/

Situated literally right across the street from Tokyo Tower, the clinic here has both GP’s and a range of specialty clinics, one of which is mental health. There are a number of different providers here that have different specialties, including Colin Coxall, an experienced Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist who has significant experience here in Japan as well as in the UK. Conveniently, he offers face to face, video, telephone, and text based appointments, which may be useful for those who aren’t in easy proximity to central Tokyo.

One thing to keep in mind about Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic is that consultations here are not covered by Japan’s National Health Insurance (JNHI). As this is a clinic that caters mainly to expats, you are able to use your international insurance policy to claim any rebates if that applies to your situation.

TELL (Tokyo English Lifeline)

https://telljp.com/

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) has been supporting Japan’s international community all the way back to 1973, and they offer a range of English-language mental health services in Japan: free, anonymous and confidential telephone counseling and information, professional face-to-face counseling, and an extensive outreach program.

These in search of counseling through TELL also have the ability to chat with a counselor online, for those who may prefer that method of communicating.

Tokyo Counseling Services

Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

http://tokyocounseling.com/english/

Tokyo Counseling Services are based in the Japanese capital's Setagaya ward, and has a number of trained psychologists and counselors available, perhaps with the widest range of languages on offer from any mental health practice. Their website currently lists that English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese-language mental health counseling services are available.

Fees are determined on a sliding scale depending on individual income.

Tohoku Region

Terasse Vue Counseling

http://terrasse-vue.com/news/need-counselling-in-english/

Terasse Vue Counseling, based out of Sendai, might be worth keeping an eye on for those looking for English-language mental health services in Japan's northern regions in the future, although according to a Oct. 2019 update on their website the counseling providers are currently not accepting new clients due to a relocation. 

Perhaps for the future then, but the counselor here is Canadian certified, handling a wide variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, trauma, stress, cultural issues, and grief counseling. 

In the update the people at Terasse Vue point those in need of medical services in English to inquire at Ichibancho Mental Health Clinic (Sendai city). The clinic link is below (although the content appears to be in Japanese-language only)

http://www.i-mental-c.jp/index.html

Kansai Region

English Counselling Kansai

http://www.englishcounselling.com/index.htm

Lil Wills trained and practiced as a psychotherapist and counsellor in the U.K. before moving to Japan in 2009, when she started English Counselling Kansai. She has been based in her current premises in Kobe since 2011. She works with individuals, couples, and children in the clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and also offers online or over the phone counseling services for those who are outside the local area.

Kyushu Region

Kumamoto University Health Care Center

http://hcc.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/english/mental_counseling/

The Kumamoto University Health Care Center has two English-speaking psychiatrists (one male and one female) and a clinical psychologist who work in a number of mental health areas, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The hours for the three practitioners vary, so if you'd prefer to see a particular one perhaps it would be best to double check to see who is available at the time of booking.

Okinawa

Yamamoto Clinic, Urasoe

http://www.yamamotoclinic.org/

Yamamoto Clinic is located in Urasoe, a neighboring municipality to Naha, Okinawa's capital city. The clinic offers services in both Japanese and English, and they specialize in mental health concerns including stress, depression, anxiety disorders, and trans-cultural concerns to name a few. They also have rates on their website for those with or without Japanese National Health Insurance, making it helpful to know what you'd be paying for upfront.

Okinawa Counseling, Uruma

https://www.okinawacounseling.com/

Okinawa Counseling provide a number of services related to mental health, including individual, child (kindergarten to elementary school-aged), and family counseling sessions. The two therapists here, Adrian Arce and Eugenia Arce, provide services in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese, and sessions can be conveniently booked right on their website which is linked above.

Online

For those expats who live in particularly rural or remote locations in Japan, or where there simply may not be an English-language mental health service provider in the vicinity, online options can be useful. Some of the above-listed providers already offer online options where video chat programs like Skype or Zoom are used to communicate in a more “face-to-face” manner. A good resource is the International Mental Health Professionals of Japan website, which has a long list of different providers, many of whom offer online services.

It can also be worth checking with mental health service providers in your home country if they conduct online sessions - depending on the time difference, it can be a potential option in getting the help and support you need, even while living in Japan.

Have you ever sought out English-language mental health services in Japan? How have you found the experience? If you have additional provider recommendations in your corner of Japan, please share them in the comments below.

Author: genkidesu