Professional Individual counselling for adults in Chester, UK. Online nationwide.
Counselling for Expats
Expat counselling is a supportive space for people living away from their home country to work through the unique challenges of life abroad. It is also there for those returning 'home' after being away for period of time. It’s a chance to talk openly and confidentially about the emotional, psychological, and social difficulties that can come with adapting to a new culture and environment.
I personally, understand how complex and overwhelming cross-cultural experiences can be.
Living abroad can be an exciting and life-changing experience. It gives you the chance to dive into new cultures, see the world from a fresh perspective, and pick up skills you might never have imagined. But alongside the adventure, there are often challenges—adjusting to a different culture, feeling homesick, facing language barriers, or dealing with a sense of isolation. It’s a mix of highs and lows, and you don’t have to navigate it all on your own.
What is my interest in this?
I started travelling at the age of three and became what is called a third culture kid—growing up in a country and culture different from where I was born. Since then, I’ve lived in four countries across three continents, both as a child and as an adult. I’ve packed up and moved more times than I can count, both nationally and internationally, always bringing my pets along with the mantra: Where I go, they go.
These experiences have given me a deeply personal understanding of what it’s like to move and live in different countries. I know the thrill and adventure of starting fresh in a new place, but I also know the challenges that guidebooks don’t prepare you for. Living abroad changes you, and the person you become is often very different from the person you were before the move.
It’s a mix of emotions—exhilarating and lonely, joyful and bittersweet. There’s so much to gain, and I’m endlessly grateful for those experiences, but it’s not always easy.
Coming back home can also bring its own challenges. Settling back into a life you once knew often raises questions: Am I still the same person? Will it still feel home? Will I find work? Will I be able to pick up my old friendships and reconnect? How will I be seen by others? There’s the sadness of missing the life you built abroad and the friendships you’ve had to leave behind. Moving, whether to or from a place, can be just as complex as it is rewarding.
Adapting to a new culture
Moving to a new country brings many changes—adapting to unfamiliar customs, social norms, and ways of life. You may be struggling with your new surroundings, experiencing culture shock, and facing challenges of settling in.
Emotional, relational and work challenges
Living far from home and familiar support systems can sometimes bring feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or low mood.
Relocating abroad can put extra pressure on relationships and family life.
Adjusting to a new work environments, building new professional networks, can all be challenging.
How you see yourself and how you may change
Living in a new culture can sometimes make you question your own identity, values, and beliefs. It’s a natural part of adjusting to a different way of life. Expat counselling provides a supportive space where you can reflect on these feelings and explore how your experiences are shaping who you are. By looking at your identity through the lens of living in a multicultural world, you can gain valuable insights about yourself and your place in it.
How can counselling help?
For expats, finding someone who truly understands the challenges of living abroad can be a lifeline. I offer you a person who truly understands what it can be like. Of course you will bring your own unique perspective and the sessions will always be focused on you. My approach offers a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore the emotional impact of homesickness, culture shock, and adapting to a new environment. It focuses on you and your experiences, helping you process your feelings at your own pace. Together, we can work through the ups and downs of expat life, empowering you to find your own way forward and develop strategies to navigate these challenges with confidence and resilience.
