The Expatriate Therapy Journal
Advice for Life Abroad
The Trailing Spouse Roadmap: Navigating and Coping the First 6 Months Abroad
Moving abroad for love is a profound transition that often follows a specific set of emotional milestones, ranging from the initial logistical chaos of month one to the deep identity crisis known as "the crash" in month two. Understanding the building a life abroad timeline is essential for your mental well-being, as it validates that the trailing spouse adjustment period is normal and that the feelings of friction and resentment experienced in the early months are common stages before reaching integration.
My partner and I want to live in different countries. What should we do?
What happens when you and your partner both want to live in different countries? This is tough because geographical conflict in a relationship is often about fundamental questions of identity, belonging, family, and future. There's rarely a perfect answer, but there are approaches that honor both partners and preserve your relationship.
The Stages of Adapting to Life Abroad: What Every Expat Should Know
Moving abroad is exciting, but adaptation isn't always smooth. Discover the predictable stages expats experience (from honeymoon phase to culture shock to feeling at home) and learn how to navigate each stage with greater resilience and self-compassion.
Understanding Trailing Spouse Syndrome
Moving abroad for your partner's career can lead to unexpected emotional challenges. If you're experiencing identity loss, isolation, or depression as a trailing spouse, you're not alone. Trailing spouse syndrome affects thousands of expatriates worldwide, but with the right support, you can rebuild your sense of self and create a meaningful life abroad. Learn the signs, understand your experience, and discover specialised therapy resources designed specifically for trailing spouses.
Should I stay or leave? A guide for expats deciding where to live.
How to handle grief and homesickness after moving abroad
After a move abroad, many people feel sad, flat, or pulled strongly toward home. You might find yourself feeling waves of emotion that take you by surprise. It can be hard to know what to call this. Is it homesickness, grief, depression, or all three at once. Giving these experiences a clear name can make them feel less confusing and easier to work with.
Why moving abroad strains relationships (and what to do to about it)
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.
What to do when you give up your career to follow your partner
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.
What to do if you feel depressed as an expat
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 a Good 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.