Expat Psychotherapy
and Counseling Network

Approach and Objectives:

Generally focuses on treating deeper and long-term psychological problems. It seeks to explore and understand the individual’s patterns of thought, behavior, and emotions, with the aim of effecting profound and lasting changes. It often deals with diagnosed mental disorders and complex emotional problems.

Duration:

Tends to be a longer process, which can last months or years, due to the depth of the issues addressed.

Depth of the Issues:

Addresses more deeply rooted and complex problems, often related to the individual’s psychological history and development.

Training of Professionals:

Psychotherapists: They are usually psychologists, psychiatric doctors, or professionals with advanced specific training in psychotherapy.

Approach and Objectives:

Typically focuses on specific and situational problems, providing guidance and support to resolve current problems or crises. It focuses on the development of specific skills and strategies to address everyday life situations.

Duration:

Often is shorter, focused on solving specific problems or situations that the individual faces at the moment.

Depth of the Issues:

More oriented towards current and practical problems, not necessarily delving into the individual’s psychological past.

Training of Professionals:

Counselors may have degrees in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields, but not necessarily advanced training in psychotherapy.

The adventure of living in a new country often begins with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The promise of new experiences, opportunities, and the charm of immersing oneself in a different culture paint a vibrant picture full of possibilities. This initial illusion, fueled by personal expectations and sometimes by the idealization of our future life abroad, propels us to take the leap with enthusiasm and hope.

However, once the dust of excitement settles, many expatriates find themselves face to face with the reality of life in a new environment. This reality can be surprisingly different from what they imagined, leading to a series of unexpected emotions and challenges. Facing cultural barriers, adapting to a new work environment, the difficulty of establishing new social relationships, and nostalgia for the familiar can transform the initial illusion into disillusionment and discomfort.

This transition from initial enthusiasm to confrontation with reality can, in some cases, trigger what mental health professionals recognize as an adjustment disorder. This disorder arises when the difficulty in managing or overcoming the stress resulting from a significant life change temporarily exceeds a person’s ability to adapt, leading to significant emotional and behavioral symptoms. The criteria for diagnosing an adjustment disorder include the presence of a disproportionate emotional or behavioral response to a stressful event, initiated within three months after the change. Symptoms can range from anxiety and depression to difficulties with social relationships and performance at work or school, significantly impacting quality of life. It is not uncommon for professional help to be sought when depression is suspected.

In the context of expatriation, this reality shock can be the triggering event. Disillusionment, social isolation, nostalgia, and the struggle to adapt to a new culture or job are aspects that, while common in the adaptation process, can intensify to the point of requiring professional support. Recognizing these signs and seeking help is a crucial step towards adaptation and well-being.

Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias, among others. Common diagnostic criteria involve the presence of excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of events or activities. These intense feelings of anxiety are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, fatigue, or sleep difficulties.

Changes in residence or living abroad introduce a number of unique stress factors that can act as catalysts for the development or intensification of anxiety disorders. This is especially true for individuals predisposed or who have previously experienced anxiety.

Panic Disorder

If you have experienced a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that develops abruptly and reaches its peak within minutes, you are likely to have experienced a panic attack. Some of the sensations accompanying it include palpitations, trembling, sensations of shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, feelings of unreality, and usually fears of losing control or dying.

The subjective experience is so intense that it leaves a concern about it happening again, losing control, or having a heart attack, leading even to maladaptive changes in behavior.

Specific Phobias

These are not simple fears. Specific phobias are intense and persistent fears towards particular objects or situations that go beyond everyday concerns. From animals to heights, flying, or receiving injections, these phobias can provoke overwhelming anxiety and lead to active avoidance of the source of fear. While they may seem irrational to others, for the person suffering from them, the fear is real and can cause a significant impact on their quality of life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A sign of suffering from GAD is feeling constantly restless, facing difficulties in controlling this state of constant worry.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about different aspects of daily life, likely much more intense than the situations truly warrant. Physical symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle tension, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating, often accompany this state of chronic anxiety, significantly affecting well-being and daily functioning.

Expatriate life can confront us with situations that we could previously avoid. In a new context, it is possible that the avoidance or management strategies we had are not serving us anymore. Especially in phases of change and adaptation. From the perspective of evidence-based psychology, and experience in contexts of change, we can apply cognitive-behavioral techniques and desensitization and reprocessing techniques (also known as EMDR) to effectively address and manage Anxiety Disorders. You have the opportunity to share these difficult experiences with someone who knows them and understands you, and who can provide you with relief and the tools you need in a confidential and close space.

According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 280 million people. Two out of three people with depression do not receive the specialized care they need.

It is considered an emotional disorder, but it is not that simple. Emotion is not separate from the body or behavior. Therefore, symptoms can take on varied intensities in these three areas.

The cause of its onset can be so varied that an exhaustive evaluation by an experienced psychologist is essential. Since the causes of the origin and maintenance of depression will also define the orientation of the treatment.

If you are an expatriate, keep in mind that what starts with difficulties adapting to the new environment, mourning for what was left behind, or work stress (burnout), can lead to depression if not addressed properly.

A moderate or severe depression could be described as ‘‘a dense fog that envelops everything. Experiences, relationships, and self-image. All tinted by shades of hopelessness or disinterest’. ‘. For someone in this state, it is very difficult to seek the help they need. However, help is possible. Getting out of this situation is possible. I have seen it in many patients who today recall depression as a bad dream and have regained a full life they thought was lost.

Si estás aquí, leyendo esto, ponte en contacto ahora. La recuperación es posible.

Grief is a natural and complex response to loss, a deeply personal process that each individual experiences in a unique way. For expatriates and migrants, grief can acquire additional dimensions, as they face not only the loss of loved ones but also the loss of their home, culture, and, to some extent, their previous identity.

When an expatriate or migrant suffers the death of a loved one while far from their home country, geographical distance can intensify the pain, creating feelings of helplessness, even guilt, for not being able to be close in the final moments or participate in the farewell rituals. The inability to share mourning with family and friends intensifies the sense of isolation and loneliness.

The loss of a partner, whether through breakup or separation, can also be particularly challenging in a foreign environment. These events not only signify the end of a relationship but, for many, mean the loss of their main support network in a country that is not their own. Grief is compounded by the need to restructure daily life and often reassess their stay in the host country.

Likewise, the loss of friendships, whether due to physical or emotional distancing, can be deeply affecting. For expatriates and migrants, friends in the new country often become a substitute family. Their loss can leave a significant void, exacerbating feelings of isolation and disorientation.

Grieving in the context of expatriation and migration requires a supportive approach that recognizes the multitude of losses experienced. Psychological support is especially important if you are an expatriate or migrant, and individual psychotherapy is the best option to ensure that grief evolves healthily and does not turn into what is known as Complicated Grief or lead to a depressive disorder. This support must be culturally sensitive and acknowledge the complex layers of loss faced by expatriates and migrants. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore feelings of grief, learn to live with the loss, and eventually find a path towards personal reconstruction in a new environment.

Facing grief as an expatriate or migrant is a formidable challenge but also an opportunity to discover resilience and internal strength. Through appropriate support and self-care, it is possible to find ways to honor those lost while building a sense of belonging and purpose in new life.

Stress and burnout are increasingly prevalent conditions, especially among expatriates and migrants who face unique challenges that can intensify these experiences. Stress, a natural response to perceived demands or threats, becomes problematic when it is constant and overwhelming, affecting physical and mental health. Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged exposure to stress, particularly in the workplace, characterized by feelings of disillusionment, ineffectiveness, and depersonalization.

For expatriates and migrants, stress can originate from the difficulty of adapting to a new culture, managing language barriers, the separation from familiar social and support networks, and especially the pressure to perform successfully in new or competitive environments. These factors, along with possible experiences of discrimination or isolation, can create a constant sensation of being “on guard,” contributing to both chronic stress and the development of burnout.

Burnout in expatriates and migrants can be particularly challenging, as they are often expected to demonstrate high performance and adaptability. A lack of recognition at work, coupled with long working hours and little work-life balance, can lead to a loss of interest and satisfaction in one’s career, negatively impacting one’s sense of purpose and self-esteem.

Addressing stress and burnout in this group requires a multifaceted strategy, such as psychological support in individual therapy, stress management strategies, development of coping skills, or integration of work and personal life. Likewise, working on the identification of one’s own values and personal strengths, using them as support and guidance in work and personal life, is a powerful alternative to regain a sense of well-being and reduce uncertainty in new environments.

For expatriates and migrants, recognizing the signs of stress and burnout is the first step toward seeking help. Early intervention and access to appropriate support resources are crucial for preventing the worsening of these conditions and promoting a healthy and enriching life abroad. It’s essential to remember that asking for help is a sign of strength and the first step toward recovery and well-being. Wherever you are, you can receive the help you need.

Trauma and post-traumatic stress represent responses to deeply disturbing or stressful events, varying significantly in their nature and effects on individuals. While simple trauma may originate from an isolated incident, such as an accident or a violence experience, complex trauma arises from prolonged or repeated exposures to highly stressful or abusive situations, such as continuous maltreatment or prolonged conflicts. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), on the other hand, is a psychological condition that develops in response to any form of trauma perceived as threatening or catastrophic, leading to persistent symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, cognitive and mood alterations, and arousal.

For expatriates and migrants, these types of trauma can be particularly complex, given the possibility of having been exposed to traumas before migration, during the migration process, or even after arriving in a new country. The challenges of adaptation, discrimination, separation from family and support networks, and uncertainty about the future can act as additional stress factors that aggravate pre-existing trauma symptoms or contribute to the development of new ones.

Simple Trauma

Intervention may focus on specific therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which have been shown to be effective in treating specific traumas, helping individuals to process and desensitize traumatic memories and develop healthy coping strategies.

Complex Trauma

Given its multifaceted nature, treatment may require a more integrated and prolonged approach, including therapies that address not only the trauma itself but also its effects on emotional regulation, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships. Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and intensive treatment programs may be suitable for addressing the multiple layers of complex trauma.

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)

In addition to CBT and EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) can be effective in helping individuals confront and accept their traumatic experiences, reduce avoidance of trauma-related memories, and improve functional adaptation.

For expatriates and migrants, access to culturally sensitive treatments is crucial, recognizing the particularities of their experiences and the context in which the trauma developed. Additionally, the creation of social and community support networks can be a vital component of the recovery process, providing a sense of belonging and an environment of understanding and acceptance.

Early recognition and treatment of trauma and PTSD are fundamental to preventing the development of long-term complications and improving quality of life. Through deep understanding and tailored therapeutic approaches, it is possible to overcome the debilitating effects of trauma and move toward meaningful recovery and sustained well-being.

Limiting personality traits refer to persistent patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that can inhibit personal growth, social adaptation, and overall well-being. These traits can include, but are not limited to, emotional dependency, low self-esteem, risk avoidance, extreme perfectionism, and difficulty handling criticism or failure. In the context of expatriates and migrants, these traits can be exacerbated by the stress of adapting to a new culture and environment, leading to additional challenges in forming relationships, social integration, and professional success.

For expatriates and migrants, overcoming limiting personality traits is crucial for successful integration and a satisfying experience abroad. By addressing these traits, they can significantly improve their ability to adapt to changes, face challenges, and seize new opportunities, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction and well-being in their personal and professional lives.

It’s important to remember that changing personality traits takes time and requires commitment and patience. However, with the right support and strategies, it is possible to overcome the limitations imposed by these traits and move toward greater personal and professional fulfillment.