Expatriate Counseling
Courage is found in unlikely places.
J.R.R. TOLKIENEmbarking on a life in a foreign country is a thrilling adventure, yet it often comes with its own set of challenges. My specialized expat counseling services are crafted to address the nuanced experiences that come with living abroad. Having lived abroad for a total of 13 years of my adult life with my husband and children, I have an intimate understanding of both the positive and challenging aspects of moving to a new country and raising third-culture kids.
From the initial excitement to bouts of homesickness, my counseling approach helps individuals navigate the rollercoaster of emotions that often accompany the transition to a foreign land. I provide a supportive space to unpack and understand culture shock, helping you adapt and thrive in your new surroundings.
Establishing a sense of identity and belonging is paramount, and my counseling services are tailored to guide you through this journey, ensuring you feel rooted in your new environment. The pressure to succeed professionally can be intense, especially while adapting to a new culture. My counseling support is designed to help you navigate this delicate balance and achieve success on both fronts.
For accompanying spouses, I address the unique challenges they face, offering support for depression and anxiety and assisting with career planning in the host country. Relationship difficulties can arise, and my counseling services provide tools and strategies to navigate and strengthen connections.
Loneliness and homesickness are common sentiments among expats, and my approach focuses on managing these emotions effectively, fostering resilience and well-being. Additionally, I recognize the importance of supporting "Third Culture Kids" – children growing up in a culture different from their parents and their passport country.
At Aspen Vista, my commitment is to guide you through the intricate landscape of expatriate life, ensuring that your experience is not just a journey but a fulfilling and enriching chapter in your life story. Join me as we navigate these challenges together, building a foundation for a thriving life in your new home.
My Approach
After learning about your goals for therapy, you and I will choose an evidence-based approach that best suits you and your unique needs, I provide practical tools and personalized strategies to help you learn to adapt, grow, and find new meaning in your host country. Some of the things we might focus on are:
- managing stress, symptoms of culture shock, anxiety, and depression associated with the challenges of living in a foreign country.
- setting achievable goals, fostering a proactive and positive mindset.
- For accompanying spouses, finding meaning, establishing a routine, or establishing a career in the host country
- Discover resilience: Tap into your inner strength and resilience to face life's challenges head-on.
- Learn skills that you can use to regulate your emotions
- Build a support system: Learn how to cultivate a strong support network to lean on as you navigate life in your new home.
- Develop coping mechanisms: I will guide you in developing healthy coping mechanisms to navigate the emotional upheaval that can come with the expat life.
- Find new opportunities: Understand how major life changes can be a catalyst for personal growth, self-discovery, and new opportunities
I am trained in TF-CBT, CBT, and DBT and use Polyvagal Theory techniques to provide an understanding of the connection between the mind, body, and emotions.
Helpful Expat Podcasts
Most Podcasts can be found on Spotify,itunes, and Google Podcasts
