Difficulties

As a psychologist for expats, I provide online and face-to-face support in English and Spanish to help you overcome emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and cultural adaptation.

Depression and mood disorders in expats

Living abroad can trigger sadness, apathy or low self-esteem due to isolation, cultural changes or adjustment stress. If you notice that your mood has dropped, you find it hard to enjoy everyday life or feel disconnected from yourself, you may need support. As a psychologist for expats, I work with effective tools such as CBT, ACT, and EMDR, adapted to your experience as an expatriate. Regaining emotional balance is possible.

Problems we address:

  • Depression and loss of motivation
  • Mood swings and bipolar disorder
  • Low self-esteem or constant self-criticism
  • Emotional isolation and homesickness
  • Adjustment difficulties as an expatriate

Anxiety and stress in expat life

Adjusting to a new life abroad can lead to anxiety and emotional overload. Constant worry, social anxiety, phobias or chronic stress affect the body and mind, limiting your well-being and autonomy.
Through approaches such as CBT and ACT, we work to reduce the impact of anxiety and help you regain confidence and balance. This approach is ideal for anyone seeking help from a psychologist for expats who understands the unique challenges of living abroad.

Problems we address:

  • Generalised anxiety and constant worry
  • Social anxiety that makes interactions difficult
  • Specific phobias limiting everyday activities
  • Health anxiety (hypochondria)
  • Panic attacks leading to fear and avoidance
  • Body dysmorphia and obsession with perceived defects
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Adaptation stress

Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD

Trauma can profoundly affect your life, especially as an expatriate facing new challenges and changes. Painful past experiences, from accidents or violence to prolonged emotional trauma, can manifest in emotional and physical reactions that hinder your wellbeing and adjustment. Addressing these wounds is critical to regaining control, healing and thriving, no matter where you are. Therapy offers effective tools and personalised support, either online or face-to-face, to help you through this process.

Problems we address:

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Complex trauma due to prolonged or childhood experiences
  • Deep emotional trauma, such as betrayal or neglect
  • Physical symptoms linked to the trauma, such as chronic pain
  • Phobias related to traumatic experiences

Couple difficulties

Life as an expatriate can test relationships due to new cultural challenges, role changes, stress and emotional distance. These factors can affect communication, trust and connection. Therapy offers a safe space to improve the relationship, strengthen communication and find solutions together that allow you to grow and adapt as a couple, no matter where you live.

Problems we address:

  • Lack of communication and misunderstandings
  • Changes in roles and responsibilities within the relationship
  • Loneliness and lack of external support networks
  • Different rates of cultural adaptation
  • Financial stress and its impact on the couple
  • Cultural and language differences
  • Parental stress in a foreign environment
  • Lack of quality couple time
  • Rebuilding trust after infidelity

Challenges of expatriate life

Life as an expatriate is full of new experiences and opportunities, but it also involves unique emotional and practical challenges. Adjusting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers and building new social networks can generate stress, homesickness and a sense of rootlessness. Therapy offers support in navigating these ups and downs, helping you feel more balanced, connected and rooted in your new environment.

Problems we address:

  • Cultural adjustment and a sense of disorientation
  • Language barrier and communication difficulties
  • Social integration and building new friendships
  • Nostalgia and mourning for a former life
  • Identity and a sense of belonging between two cultures
  • Daily stress from unfamiliar paperwork, finances and systems
  • Work/life balance in a new work environment
  • Family conflicts arising from differentiated adaptation

Other emotional and psychological difficulties

Adjusting to life as an expatriate also means facing emotional and psychological challenges that can affect your well-being. From addictive behaviours to dealing with grief or insomnia, these difficulties can become more complex away from your usual environment. I offer a safe space, face-to-face or online, where we will work together to understand and overcome these situations, improving your quality of life and your emotional balance.

Problems we address:

  • Addictive and compulsive behaviours: alcohol, gambling, and other destructive habits
  • Persistent anger and irritability affecting relationships and wellbeing
  • Chronic insomnia linked to anxiety, stress or changes in environment
  • Chronic health problems and associated emotional impact
  • Bereavement and loss, whether of loved ones, relationships or life stages
  • Perfectionism and stress related to high expectations and self-esteem

Book your first session and start taking care of yourself today