Expat psychology can be especially helpful for anyone living abroad (Adult third culture kids, digital (global) nomads, corporate expats, foreign students, humanitarian aid workers, military personnel, retirees abroad, trailing spouse), who often face unique challenges when living in a country different from their own culture, or for repats who are returning home.

What is expat psychology?

Expat psychology is a type of life coaching. Expat psychology is a process and a partnership between you and us. It focuses on guidance, empowerment, and personal improvement. The practitioner provides you with new perspectives, tools, and support to help you overcome obstacles and reach your full potential.

Expat psychology draws from several contemporary psychological frameworks. Firstly, it utilizes positive psychology which focuses on individuals’ strengths and wellbeing rather than pathology. The practitioner helps expats and repats identify and build on their existing resources to enhance fulfilment. Secondly, techniques from the third wave of CBT are employed, emphasizing mindfulness, acceptance and values. This helps clients manage difficult emotions and align behaviours to personal values. 

Furthermore, insights from neuropsychology about the brain’s functioning inform interventions to regulate thoughts, emotions and habits. Finally, metacognitive psychology allows expats to distance themselves from thoughts and beliefs that may be maladaptive in a foreign culture. Together, these perspectives enable customized support.

What is the experience of expat psychology like?

In sessions, the subject and pace are set by you. You decide what you want to work on and how far you want to go. You can challenge and reflect upon your own life, ideas, and obstacles, and feel empowered to move forward with positive actions. At every stage, you are free to adjust your goals, set new objectives, and ask questions. You will feel inspired, motivated, and supported throughout the process.

What are the benefits of expat psychology?

Expats face a number of challenges when they live abroad, including culture adjustment, homesickness, feeling loss, life and identity crisis, isolation, language barriers, life transition, loneliness, uncertainty. Expat psychology can help expats to overcome these challenges and adjust to their new life and also helps repats who may face reverse culture shock.

Here are some of the benefits of expat psychology:

• Improved self-awareness: expat psychology can help you to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can help you to make better decisions and to live a more fulfilling life.
• Increased motivation: expat psychology can help you to stay motivated to achieve your goals. This can be especially helpful if you are struggling to stay on track.
• Improved relationships: expat psychology can help you to improve your relationships with your spouse, children, friends, and colleagues. This can lead to a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
• Greater happiness and fulfilment: expat psychology can help you to identify what’s important to you and live a more meaningful life. It can also help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

Why does expat psychology work so well?

Expat psychology is a process that empowers you to explore issues or obstacles in a safe, productive, and positive way. It is a two-way process of ongoing support, feedback, and accountability, where goals are set, action plans are made, and results are evaluated.

It is effective because the practitioner acts as a sounding board, an advisor, and a guide to help you view things from new perspectives. Alone, it can be difficult to see past existing or limiting beliefs, but expat counselling helps you set practical goals and achieve real results.

What can expat psychology do for me?

Expat psychology can help you to overcome the challenges you are facing in your life as an expat or repat.  We are trained to help you with a variety of issues. We can help you to:

• Understand why you are feeling the way you are.
• You can also learn to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with culture shock, language barriers, and other challenges.
• Get support and encouragement, especially during difficult times. Learn to build a support network of other expats and locals.
• Stay connected with your home country. We can help you to stay connected with your home country and to maintain your cultural identity. We can also help you to deal with homesickness and re-entry shock.

If you are ready to make a change in your life, we encourage you to consider expat psychology. It can be a valuable tool to help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life abroad.