Depression therapists Recommendation? (Cantonese speaking)
 

Long story short, my dad retired a few years ago and I've noticed his mental health slowly go downhill. He's reluctant to go out to meet his friends and he's always complaining about the arguments with my mom.

I've been trying to get him to see a therapist and he finally opened up to the idea of it last week. I'm looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for a Cantonese speaking therapist who has experience dealing with seniors?

Good for you.

I don't have recommendations but if you are looking for a registered counsellor, you can go to this website and search by language: https://bc-counsellors.org/counsellors/

Or if you want a psychologist, go here: https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/find_psychologist

In my experience, you might have to try a few different therapists until you find someone you really connect with. Everyone is different.

Another thing you could do is contact your family doctor and he/she might have some people they recommend for your situation.

Sounds like your dad relied on work to keep him busy and now he's retired, nothing to do to occupy his time. It's like my dad, spent most of his life working and had no hobbies or friends, transition was a bit tough into retirement as now he had all the time to do whatever but felt like nothing to do as his only thing he knew in life was work. He's been retired for 9 years now, finally got the hang of things; however, still likes to bitch here and there. My mom just sends him to do all the errands as it keeps him busy and out of the house LOL. I don't have recommendation for therapist, but I would suggest starting with little things to get him "moving", like house work/projects or errands. I'm assuming your dad is like retirement age late 60s?.

No recommendation on the counsellor / therapist route. However, I am going to recommend that you try and see whether you can get your dad diagnosed for any signs of potential mini strokes / vascular degeneration -- that sort of thing. I have a relative who is going down that route, and it turned out that his gradual loss of temper and behavioural change were the results of a mini stroke, which leads to the onset of vascular degeneration, which in turn results in the gradual loss of executive functions.

I hope nobody goes down that route, but unfortunately, some of our loved ones -- or perhaps even ourselves -- might inevitably traverse down that path. :(

I knew someone who had a similar experience. At first they thought it's some sort of empty nest syndrome as they are suddenly left without a major focus in their life and don't really know what to do.

But eventually they found him some volunteer work that kept her busy for about 6hr a day every day, and she was back to the original person.

Maybe start with that first? See what your dad is good at, and look for relevant volunteer jobs that can make use of his experience. This is crucial as it would provide your dad a sense of fulfillment, which is very important in mental health for seniors.

If not, shoot me a PM. My wife is part of a clinic that specializes in all sort of special needs that include clinical psychologists and psychiatrists in their team and maybe they could point you/your dad to the right direction. And yes, they have quite a few canto/mandarin-speaking team members

Look up Moving Forward Family Services, they have practitioners speaking many different languages.

I didn't know my dad was also your dad!

My dad has become semi-addicted to buying stuff off FB Marketplace. I think he's driven out to Langley/Aldergrove for bullshit <$100 stuff. My mom says he's foggy enough that he'll drive to the wrong city sometimes before looking up directions - we're due to take away his license soon.

I'd be interested in hearing what options are available for a Cantonese counsellor that doesn't work at a cha chaan teng.

maybe call SUCCESS? they can help for sure and offer services and point you towards the right direction.

I buy shit all the time halfway across the lower mainland for <$100. Is that wrong? It’s what one does when they have free time. Haha.

But agree with everyone above. Counselling is great, but he may not jive with the first one he meets. So if required try someone new.

I had a Cantonese-speaking therapist 10 years ago that was assigned to me when I got a work injury and subsequently some PTSD and depression. I'm not sure how good she is compared to other therapists, or if she'll be able to help with your dad's case, but please see the link below for her website.

Mega Leung Counselling Services

That's a great name.

Would NOT recommend SUCCESS. Everyone I know who have tried to get help from SUCCESS tend to say their staff only seem to care about noting the details of your case down so that they can use it as part of their stats to get more government funding.

My mom had a minor issue of depression. She got a referral from her family doctor. We had to go to VGH for the appointment and a Cantonese translator was provided. They were really good, very accurate and precise. I guess the government wouldnt get someone to do it half assed. And I believe it was all covered by msp.

Does you dad like gardening? Maybe grow some weed a