Why should I consider Expat Counselling?
The decision to uproot your life and move abroad is monumental. While incredibly
exciting, taking such a brave leap into the unknown also comes with its own unique
set of challenges and stressors. When you’re navigating unfamiliar cultures,
languages, and ways of life so different from your own, it’s natural to feel
overwhelmed at times.
The culture shock and sense of displacement can leave you feeling profoundly
isolated, even if surrounded by others. Experiencing chronic homesickness – deeply
missing familiar sights, sounds, people and traditions – is an ache that can be hard to
shake. Processing these intense emotions of grief, anxiety and dislocation alone is
an immense burden.
Adjusting to new cultural norms around communication, workplace expectations,
family roles and more demands incredible flexibility. Straddling two worlds while
feeling like you belong to neither can be exhausting. Even positive life transitions like
relocating for an exciting job opportunity bring their own upheaval and stress.
During such tremendous life changes, feelings of being unmoored are
understandable and even expected. You shouldn’t have to bear the weight of this
experience entirely alone. An expat counsellor understands the profound emotional
impact of transplanting your life abroad. They can offer culturally-sensitive, non-
judgmental support as you navigate this extraordinarily brave new chapter.
An expat counsellor speaks your language – literally and metaphorically. They
appreciate the singular challenges of being a cultural outlier trying to establish a new
normal. Having a safe space to candidly process this complex convergence of grief,
possibility and personal growth can be invaluable. You don’t have to brave this all
alone. Extra support during an intense transition is simply wise self-care.