FAQs
Therapy for Life Abroad
Living abroad can be harder that expected. Here you will find answers to questions about expat therapy and common mental health issues.
If you do not see your question here, you are welcome to contact me or book a free 20 minute connection call to ask directly.
About Expat Therapy
What is expat therapy?
Expat therapy (also known as counselling) focuses on the emotional and relationship challenges that come with living in another country. Individual therapy sessions with me often look at relocation stress, culture shock, identity changes, loss, and the impact of global life on your wellbeing and relationships. Couples therapy for expats is also available. The aim is to help you understand what you are going through, respond with more clarity and care, and feel more able to handle the reality of your life abroad.
What is the best kind of therapy for expats?
There is no single “best” therapy for expats. What matters most is that your therapist is professionally trained, understands cross cultural life, and uses methods that fit you as a person. Many expats find that approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, and narrative or relational therapy are helpful for anxiety, low mood, identity questions, and relationship patterns.
What are your fees?
Online individual therapy for expats is AUD200 for 80 minutes, or AUD160 for 55 minutes.
Online couples therapy for expats is AUD280 for 80 minutes, or AUD240 for 55 minutes.
Payment is made at the time of booking. Sessions can be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less notice are charged the full fee.
How do I know if I need expat counselling?
You might consider expat counselling if you notice that:
• Your mood, anxiety, or sleep are regularly affected
• You feel stuck in unhelpful patterns or repeating thoughts
• Your relationships or work are under strain
• You feel lost, resentful, or unlike yourself since moving
• Self-help, time, or talking to friends has not been enough
If you are unsure, a free 20 minute connection call is a good way to ask whether therapy is likely to be helpful in your situation.
What therapeutic approaches do you use for expats?
I use evidence based methods including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) for individual therapy. These approaches support work on anxiety, depression, identity change, emotional regulation, and relationship dynamics. I draw on the Gottman Method and Emotion Focused Therapy for expat couples therapy. I adapt each method to the context of expat life and your specific needs, rather than forcing you into a rigid model.
Who I Work With
Who do you work with?
I work with adults living abroad, including expats, global nomads, recent migrants, accompanying partners (trailing spouses), and couples. Some are in their first move, others have lived across several countries. Many are in professional or high responsibility roles, or have moved for a partner’s career.
Is it common for expat couples to face relationship stress?
Yes. Big transitions often surface tensions that were hidden or easier to manage at home. Changes in roles, income, social life, and support can all affect intimacy and communication. Many couples notice more conflict, more silence, or a sense that they are on different paths after relocating. Couples therapy can help you understand these patterns and work together more effectively.
Do you offer therapy for expat couples?
Yes. I offer online couples therapy for expats who want to improve communication, reduce conflict, and feel more connected while living abroad. We look at what has changed for each partner, how you respond to stress together, and what a more supportive way of relating might look like. You can read more on the Couples Therapy page.
What support do you offer for expat partners and trailing spouses?
Expat partners and trailing spouses often experience identity loss, career disruption, role changes, and a feeling of being disconnected from their previous life. I specialise in working with accompanying partners who relocated for someone else’s job and have written The Relocated Self, a book about this experience. Therapy provides space to talk honestly about what has changed, grieve losses, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with your own values and direction.
I moved abroad to follow my partner and feel like I have lost myself. What can I do?
It is very common for accompanying partners (also known as trailing spouses) to feel they have lost their sense of self after a move, especially if they left work, family, or community behind. Individual therapy offers a place to look at how your identity has shifted, name what matters to you now, and explore roles and routines that include your needs as well as your partner’s. If you relate to this, you might also find my upcoming book The Relocated Self helpful.
Common Expat Issues
Is it normal to feel lost or unsettled even months after moving abroad?
Yes. Many expats feel disoriented even when the move looks positive from the outside. Changes in culture, pace, work expectations, and support networks can affect your sense of identity and direction. Online expat individual therapy gives you a place to explore these shifts, understand what has changed, and feel more stable again.
I feel torn between two countries and do not know where I belong. Can therapy help?
Yes. Identity confusion and feeling “in between” are common parts of the expat journey. You may feel at home in more than one place, or in neither. Therapy can help you explore belonging, self worth, and what “home” means for you now and in future chapters of your life.
Can expat therapy help with repatriation depression?
Yes. Many people feel unexpected grief, sadness, or disorientation when they return to their home country after living abroad. You may feel that you no longer fully fit in either place. This is sometimes called repatriation depression. Therapy can help you make sense of this transition, validate the mixed feelings, and find ways to integrate your experiences into a life that makes sense now.
How can I support my mental health while living overseas?
Some helpful foundations include:
• Keeping a simple daily routine that supports sleep, movement, and regular meals
• Staying in contact with trusted people who know you well
• Finding at least one or two local spaces where you feel welcome
• Limiting unhelpful comparison with others’ expat lives
• Seeking professional support if your mood, anxiety, or relationships feel persistently affected
If you would like tailored support, you can learn more about Individual Therapy or book a free 20 minute connection call.
I am missing my family terribly. Is this normal?
Yes. Missing family is a very common and understandable reaction to living at a distance. It can be especially intense around holidays, celebrations, and times of illness or crisis. Therapy can help you honour these feelings, find ways to stay meaningfully connected, and build support where you are now.
Why do expat spouses sometimes feel depressed?
Expat spouses, especially those who moved for a partner’s job, often lose familiar routines, social networks, and career paths. They may not have a clear role in the new country, even while carrying a large share of the emotional and practical work of relocation. This can lead to loneliness, resentment, or low mood. Therapy helps you name these pressures, understand your reactions, and look at realistic ways to care for yourself and your relationships.
What should I do if I am unhappy in my new country?
Feeling unhappy abroad does not mean you have failed or made a mistake. It may reflect culture shock, grief, burnout, relationship stress, or a mismatch between your needs and your current context. In therapy we look carefully at what is contributing to your distress, which parts can realistically change, and which might need to be accepted or grieved before you decide on next steps.
What if I am struggling but feel guilty because I think I should be grateful to be an expat?
This is a very common experience. Many expats tell themselves they “should” be grateful because others see their life as exciting or privileged. Gratitude and struggle can exist at the same time. Therapy helps you make sense of this tension, understand the deeper story behind it, and respond to your own suffering with more honesty rather than criticism.
Online Sessions and Practical Details
How do online therapy sessions work when I am in Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Europe, or another time zone?
All sessions are held online, and the booking system automatically shows available times in your local time zone. Many clients work with me from Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. You can join sessions from any private, quiet space with a stable internet connection. If your location changes, we can adjust session times to fit your new time zone.
What happens in the free 20 minute connection call?
The connection call is a short, informal conversation. You can describe what has been happening, ask questions about how I work, and get a sense of whether we feel like a good fit. I will also let you know whether online therapy with me is appropriate for your situation and outline possible next steps. There is no obligation to book ongoing sessions.
Do I need a doctor’s referral or mental health care plan?
No. You do not need a GP or doctor’s referral or mental health care plan to book a session with Expatriate Therapy. You are welcome to contact me directly and book online. This gives you more privacy and flexibility around how often you attend.
Do you offer Medicare rebates or private insurance refunds?
Therapy at Expatriate Therapy is not covered by Australian Medicare rebates. Some clients may be able to claim part of the fee from private health insurance, depending on their provider and policy, but you would need to check this directly with your insurer. Session fees and details are listed on the Individual Therapy and Couples Therapy pages.
If you are finding life abroad hard, support is available. Book free 20 minute connection call to talk through what you are facing and what you might need next.