To change my therapist because of his accent...

[Kazz6]

*Name changed for this, I know it’s going to sound awful...

I’ve been waiting 30 weeks to have level 3 CBT for severe anxiety.

I started it two weeks ago and I’m not “clicking” with the therapist.

He’s a lovely guy, but he is Dutch and I just cannot understand him.
I’m constantly asking him to repeat himself and his English is very broken.

I don’t want to cause him any offence but I don’t see me getting anything from this therapist when I can’t understand him.

Completely reasonable. But if it’s free on the NHS check it won’t send you to the back of the queue.

If it’s private I know someone great who works over zoom, so feel free to PM

Yanbu. Has to be a good fit

YANBU. I changed my optician for a similar reason.

Yanbu. I had to change driving instructors because I couldn't understand the first guy's accent. I almost got into an accident because of it! I felt awful about trying to find a native English speaker for my next instructor but it is so much better!

I am surprised he is so unaware. Accents can absolutely be an issues especially some people aren't used to.

I think as a therapist you need to speak clearly and be easy to understand. So a minimum standard of spoken English needs to be applied. YANBU to want a therapist you can understand without effort - there's enough effort involved in therapy as it is without you needing to work at knowing what's being said.

And I'm a Dutch national myself.