The Expatriate Therapy Blog
Advice and Insights for Expats, Partners, and Families
Are you or your partner struggling with life abroad? You’re not alone. Here you will find therapist-backed advice to help you manage culture shock, grief, guilt, isolation, anxiety, depression, expat relationship and expat parenting.
Am I grieving or homesick after moving abroad?
Why has our relationship become so tense since we moved abroad?
An international move can bring couples closer, or it can magnify every small crack. This article explores why expat life puts relationships under strain, the typical patterns couples fall into and how expat couples therapy can help you communicate better, rebalance roles and feel like a team again.
I gave up my career to move abroad with my partner. Why do I feel like I have lost myself?
Leaving a career to follow your partner abroad can unsettle even the strongest sense of self. This article looks at the hidden challenges that come with being an expat partner, including the grief, career challenges, and why identity feels fragile in a new country. We also look at how expat therapy can help you rebuild confidence and direction without denying your sacrifice.
I moved abroad for my partner and now I feel lost. Can therapy help?
Trailing spouses often carry an unacknowledged emotional load of an international move. This guide explains why the move can feel so heavy even when life looks successful from the outside, and how specialist support can help you feel grounded, connected and yourself again.
Why do I feel depressed after moving abroad?
Feeling low after an international move? You’re not alone. This article explores why so many expats experience depression after relocating, and how to start feeling like yourself again.
Why do I feel anxiety since I moved overseas? What can I do about it?
Living abroad introduces a unique set of stressors that can trigger or amplify anxiety. From navigating unfamiliar cultural norms to managing practical challenges in a different language, expatriate life creates conditions where even naturally calm individuals may experience heightened worry and anxiety.
I am in the middle of big changes abroad. How do I find direction again?
Life transitions can leave you feeling stuck, lost, or questioning everything. In this guide, learn why change feels so disruptive — and discover practical steps to find clarity, confidence, and direction as you rebuild your next chapter.
How to Find the Right Therapist: A Practical Guide for Expats
Living abroad can be tough. Find a therapist who truly understands expat challenges—someone you feel safe with, seen by, and supported through it all.
Expat Relationships: Common Problems And How To Work Through Them
International relocation places unique pressures on intimate relationships. Whether you've moved abroad with a partner, left someone behind, or formed a relationship with someone from another culture, expatriate life adds layers of complexity to romantic connections. Understanding these challenges and developing strategies to address them can transform potential relationship stressors into opportunities for deeper connection.
My career has changed since moving overseas. How do I reinvent myself?
Expat life often brings significant career transitions. Whether you've relocated for your partner's job, moved abroad seeking new opportunities, or found yourself reinventing your professional identity in a new cultural context, navigating career changes across borders presents unique challenges and opportunities.
Why do I feel like a different person after moving abroad? Who am I now?
When you move abroad, you don't just change your physical location, you often experience a profound shift in your sense of self. This phenomenon, which psychologists call "identity disruption," is a normal but challenging aspect of the expatriate experience that rarely receives the attention it deserves.
I am lonely as an expat. How can I build real connections?
Loneliness is often the uninvited companion of the expatriate journey. Despite the excitement of new experiences and environments, many expatriates find themselves struggling with profound feelings of isolation. This disconnection isn't merely uncomfortable—research increasingly shows it can significantly impact both mental and physical health.
5 Ways Culture Shock Affects Expat Mental Health (And How to Cope)
Living abroad opens doors to incredible experiences, but it also introduces unique challenges to your mental wellbeing. Culture shock affects nearly every expatriate at some point. While often discussed as a normal part of transition, its impact on mental health deserves closer attention.
How do I support my child through an international move?
Moving abroad is a significant life transition for anyone, but for children, it can be particularly challenging. As an expatriate parent, you're tasked with not only managing your own adjustment but also guiding your children through theirs. Understanding how international moves affect children at different developmental stages can help you provide the support they need to thrive in their new environment.