Expat/International Counseling

After the initial whirlwind begins to settle, and the jet lag starts to fade, a wave of intense emotions strikes you. As you are unpacking, and starting to make a home out of your new space, you are met with an overwhelm of joy and sadness. The distance feels striking, and the unfamiliarity of your new surroundings take over. A panic begins to sink in, and the question unfolds “was this the right decision?”

You want to grasp for something familiar, but suddenly you realize that you can’t access your normal comforts of home. Culture shock begins to take over. Perhaps you moved to a new country (expat) to start something new, whether it is for work, study, or adventure. Maybe even moving with a partner who has taken a job abroad. The feeling of fear and loneliness starts to drown out the once excited emotions.

You may feel like you have given up a part of your identity in order to take this journey, and although it was met with excitement, you begin to feel lost, or scared. Navigating the challenges of being an expat can bring up a lot of unknown challenges. You may be dealing with language barriers, or cultural differences that you have never experienced before, leaving you feeling more isolated than ever.

Perhaps you begin to wonder “why did I think this was a good idea” and you begin to question you own self worth, and decision making. You may be navigating insecurity and anxiety in ways you have never experienced before. These are all very common feelings among expats, and with the right support and guidance, you can go from surviving to thriving in your new adventure! I invite you to check in and notice, if you are pretending to be “okay” on the outside, but internally feel like your soul is out of balance.  If you are an expat struggling to feel whole, and complete in your new environment, you are not alone! I help individuals living abroad work through fears in transition and culture shock. As a first generation american, who has experienced culture shock, and reverse culture shock I can help you create shifts to feel whole and complete, and thrive in your new space.