[Medical help] Looking for a psychologist/psychotherapist: where can you get good help (including English‑speaking sessions) without feeling lost?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

Let’s combine recommendations in one place for anyone trying to find a psychologist or therapist — especially people who need sessions in English.
Many users end up typing awkward searches like “the psychologist of Oslo” when what they really want is: a safe, professional therapist with a style that fits (CBT, psychodynamic, trauma-informed, couples therapy, etc.).

If you’re comfortable sharing (as much or as little as you want), these details help others:

• What type of therapy you tried and whether it felt effective
• How long you waited for the first appointment
• Whether the therapist was good at explaining a plan (not just listening)
• Any red flags you’d warn others about
  
  Also, a question that pops up in search a lot: “should I become a psychologist” — if there are professionals here, your perspective is welcome too.

What made you feel “this is the right therapist for me” — and where would you recommend someone start?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

I looked for a psychologist in Norway while traveling long-term, and my honest take is that private therapy is the only way to avoid feeling completely stuck if you need sessions in English. From what I’ve seen, English-speaking therapists are available, but they book up fast and you have to be proactive instead of waiting for the system to guide you. but there’s a nuance… paying privately doesn’t guarantee the therapist is a good match, and the first session can feel more like an interview than actual therapy. I tried CBT, which worked well once the therapist clearly explained a plan instead of just nodding sympathetically. One red flag for me was a therapist who couldn’t explain their approach or goals after two sessions. It feels like people searching for “the psychologist of Oslo” really just want clarity, structure, and emotional safety, not a fancy title. Did anyone find a therapist who combined warmth with actual direction? And how many sessions did it take before you knew it was the right fit?

 

[Alex Turner]

Yeah, that lines up with what I’ve seen too. If you need therapy in English in Norway, going private is pretty much the only way to avoid endless waiting, but you really have to treat the first session like a trial run. I had one therapist who was kind but way too vague, and it felt like paying to talk in circles, while another laid out a clear CBT-style plan and suddenly things clicked. Booking fast and being upfront about what you want helps a lot, especially since the good English-speaking ones fill up quickly. Did you consider online sessions with someone based elsewhere in Europe as a backup route if local options felt limited?