Counselling for People Living Abroad
Supporting individuals and couples to find connection and confidence as you build your life in a new country.
Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, full of new opportunities and experiences. However, it also comes with significant challenges. Many people find themselves struggling with changes in their sense of identity—questioning who they are and how they fit in. Moving away from familiar surroundings, routines, and cultural norms can lead to feelings of uncertainty about where they belong. Building a new sense of community can be difficult, especially when language barriers or cultural differences make it harder to connect with others.
Relationships with family and friends may shift or weaken, and it can take time to find new support networks. Personal and emotional adjustments—such as balancing your cultural heritage with your new environment—can also create internal conflicts. All these changes can be overwhelming, but they are also part of the process of creating a new sense of self and belonging in your new life. If you’re struggling with these things, you’re not alone.
When I moved countries, I initially felt a lot of excitement. It’s easy to romanticise the idea of living abroad, imagining it as a kind of endless holiday. But after the honeymoon phase ended, I suddenly faced a much harsher reality. My experience of living abroad changed dramatically as I encountered many layers of difficulties—cultural adjustments, feelings of loneliness, language barriers, and the challenge of finding my place in a new society. The sense of being out of place and disconnected can be overwhelming and lonely.
Through my journey of trial and error, along with study, training, and working closely with others who’ve gone through similar transitions, I developed a deep understanding of these struggles. I realised how much these challenges can affect our sense of self and belonging, and I felt a strong calling to supporting others through this process. It has become a labour of love—an honouring of my own experiences and the journeys of those I now support.
I want to help you shift from feeling different or out of place to feeling empowered and at home within yourself. Together, we can work on building your confidence, and cultivating a sense of belonging—both inside of yourself and in your new community.
“It was when I stopped searching for home within others / and lifted the foundations of home within myself / I found there were no roots more intimate / than those between a mind and body / that have decided to be whole.” — Rupi Kaur
Counselling Individuals Living Abroad
Living abroad can bring deep feelings of homesickness, loneliness, or frustration. You may struggle with understanding new social norms, managing financial pressures, or feeling out of place in unfamiliar environments. These feelings can be exhausting, making you question your resilience and your sense of self. We can explore your experiences, develop coping strategies, and reconnect with your inner compass. I am here to help you feel more grounded, confident, and at home within yourself—no matter where you are.
Counselling for Intercultural Couples
If you’re navigating relationships across cultures, you might be experiencing misunderstandings or conflicts related to differences in upbringing, family expectations, or communication styles. You may feel distant from each other, exhausted from managing everyday stresses and bureaucracy, or unsure how to balance your individual identities within your relationship. I work with intercultural couples to explore these challenges, helping you develop understanding, respect, and stronger bonds. We focus on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and honouring both of your backgrounds so you can create a harmonious partnership.
From Out of Place to Feeling At Home
Our work together offers a welcoming space to talk about the unique challenges you face living in a new country. Living abroad is complex and meaningful, and these challenges are just one part of your story. Working together, we can explore all the different aspects of your experience—how they connect, where you find joy, and how to be with the difficult parts.
We’ll start by discussing what brought you here, your struggles, and what you hope to gain. From there, we’ll develop practical tools to manage stress and feel more secure in your new environment. My goal is to help you become more resilient, connected, and empowered as you settle into this new chapter of your life abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ How does counselling for people living abroad differ from regular therapy?
It specifically focuses on cultural factors that influence your experience, helping you understand and navigate the complexities of cultural identity, belonging, and adapting to different social expectations.
+ Who can benefit from intercultural counselling?
This service is for anyone navigating the complexities of cross-cultural life—whether you’re an immigrant, expatriate, international student, working abroad, or in a intercultural relationship.
+ Do you take insurance?
Because I am a private therapy service, this means you will need to pay the full cost of your session upfront and then submit your invoice to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
If you wish to claim expenses through your insurer, I can provide you with an invoice. However, please note that I cannot guarantee that your insurance will cover or reimburse the cost.
Since I am trained in counselling and psychotherapy, I work in Spain as a therapist and do not have a professional or collegiate registration number.
+ What can I discuss in sessions?
Whatever moving countries has brought up for you, which may be around feeling homesick, cultural conflicts, language barriers, identity struggles, discrimination, or difficulties in intercultural relationships, or something else. We could also explore how your background shapes your view of the world.