IMPORTANT FACTORS IN AN EXPAT PSYCHOLOGIST

Psychologists who specialize in working with expats need to possess certain characteristics and skills that enable them to effectively address the unique challenges and needs of expatriates.

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Some of the main characteristics of psychologists for expats include:

Cross-Cultural Competence: psychologists for expats have a strong understanding of different cultures and possess cultural sensitivity. They are familiar with the challenges faced by individuals adapting to a new culture and can navigate cultural differences with respect and empathy.

Language Skills: proficiency in multiple languages is beneficial for psychologists working with expats. It allows them to communicate effectively with clients who may have limited fluency in the local language.

Intercultural Communication Skills: psychologists for expats have extensive experience in intercultural communication. They can effectively bridge the communication gaps that may arise due to cultural differences and language barriers. They possess the ability to understand and interpret nonverbal cues and cultural contexts.

Flexibility and Adaptability: psychologists working with expats are adaptable and open-minded. They recognize that each person’s experience is unique and can vary widely. They can tailor their approaches and interventions to suit individual needs and adapt to different cultural backgrounds.

Empathy and Understanding: psychologists for expats demonstrate empathy and understanding towards the challenges faced by expatriates. They create a safe and nonjudgmental space where clients can openly express their concerns, frustrations, and emotions related to their expat experience.

Experience with Transitions and Adjustment: psychologists specializing in expat counseling possess knowledge and expertise in the psychological processes associated with transitions and adjustment. They understand the stages of cultural adaptation, the impact of culture shock, and the complexities of identity development in an intercultural context.

Counseling and Therapy Skills: psychologists for expats are trained in various therapeutic approaches and techniques that can help individuals cope with the psychological challenges they face. They are trained professionals and utilize interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, somatic exercises or narrative therapy to address issues related to expat life effectively.

Resourcefulness: psychologists for expats are resourceful and well-connected. They have access to a network of professionals and resources that can provide additional support and guidance to expatriates in areas such as legal matters, education, career development, and social integration.

It's important to note that while these characteristics are valuable for psychologists working with expats, each individual will benefit from a different approach. When seeking the assistance of a psychologist as an expat, it's beneficial to inquire about their specific experience and training in working with expatriates to ensure they can meet your unique needs effectively. This is why I encourage all who are curious, to book a free discovery call with me. During the call, we'll be able to get to know each other and lay the foundation for the work that we can do together.

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COMMON AREAS OF FOCUS IN EXPAT COUNSELING

People who have moved abroad, and perhaps have done it multiple times, may require particular types of psychological help depending on their individual circumstances and challenges at hand.

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Common areas where expats seek psychological support include:

Culture Shock and Adjustment: expats often experience culture shock, which can manifest as feelings of disorientation, frustration, and homesickness. Working with a psychologist can be supportive in navigating the adjustment process, finding efficient coping strategies, and understanding and managing the emotional impact of cultural transitions.

Emotional Well-being: living abroad can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns (see my previous post). Counseling can provide support and tools to manage these emotions, promote self-care, and enhance overall emotional well-being.

Identity and Self-Image: often living abroad may raise questions related to identity and sense of self as one navigates a new cultural context. Psychological help can aid in exploring and reconciling these issues, fostering a positive and resilient self-image.

Relationship Issues: expatriate life can strain relationships, whether with a partner, family members, or friends. A qualified psychologist can assist in addressing communication difficulties, cultural differences, and relationship challenges, helping you build and maintain healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Career and Professional Challenges: it may happen that the professional environment one is used to ends up being completely turned upside down while entering a new work culture. It can also happen that expats encounter difficulties entering the job market after the move. Psychological support can help in navigating these challenges, enhancing resilience and inter-personal awareness while developing strategies for career satisfaction and advancement.

Parenting, Family Concerns and Third Culture Kids (TCK): expats with families may require support in managing parenting challenges, helping children adapt to a new culture, and maintaining a harmonious family dynamic amidst cultural differences. Families with children living abroad may face unique challenges related to parenting in a cross-cultural context. Counseling can offer support to parents and assist TCKs in developing a positive sense of identity.

Coping with Trauma and Resilience: sometimes people arrive in a foreign country with a baggage of emotional wounds from previous traumatic experiences. Psychological help can assist in coping with trauma, managing post-traumatic stress symptoms, and facilitating the healing process. The aim is to help you build resilience and cope with the aftermath of difficult experiences.

Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution: counseling can provide guidance on navigating intercultural communication challenges and resolving conflicts that may arise due to cultural misunderstandings. With time, you can develop effective communication strategies, improve cultural competence, and foster positive interactions.

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: the combination of adjusting to a new environment and dealing with various challenges can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The work in therapy can provide coping strategies and support you in managing emotions effectively.

Grief and Loss: it is not uncommon for expats to experience feelings of grief and loss related to leaving their home country, friends, and family behind. Psychological support will help process these emotions and navigate through the grieving process.

It's important to note that the specific psychological help required will vary from individual to individual. Some people may require short-term support to address immediate concerns, while others may benefit from long-term therapy to address deeper emotional or psychological issues. With a free discovery call, we can assess your needs and provide appropriate interventions to support your well-being.

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BEING AN EXPAT TODAY

Since the very beginning of humanity, some people decide to leave their homeland looking for better life opportunities. The geopolitical and economical situation of the XXI century led to a significant increase in migration across Europe. Non-EU citizens living in EU in 2021 are more than 5% of total population, according to Eurostat. Italy experienced one of the biggest expatriates growth, starting from a relatively homogeneous population in the '80s and ending with the 8,7% of resident foreigners in 2021. The Metropolitan City of Turin is just above the national average, having tracked an expat every ten inhabitants in 2016.

Even if the term expat - shortened colloquial form of expatriate - means generically a person who lives far from his country of birth, these people could experience very different social, economical and psychological conditions, according to some factors. The most important are: development of their origin country, personal education level and social family status.

Commonly referred expats are people with high level of education, significant working skills and good positioning on the labor market. They usually choose independently to move to a foreign country, in order to learn a new language, follow their partner, complete their education, seek a better salary or experience a new culture and a different daily routine.

Usually, because of their level of education, expats don't experience many problems in finding a house, a proper job or to get papers done, but they do experience challenges especially when it comes to socializing and getting used to the local culture. Because of this peculiar condition, almost every expat will experience a certain range of psychological difficulties, often related to loneliness.

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Loneliness

Especially at the very first stage of one's new life, feeling lonely is unavoidable. Leaving one's native country behind to start over again could be exciting and motivating at first, as it helps to expand knowledge and to follow new opportunities. On the other hand, it implies losing contact with people and habits that have supported one's life up until that moment.

Hard times and difficulties in adapting are very common for an expat, who has to make efforts to increase their language skills and to get used to the new routine, as well as having to deal with regular work-related and family-related stress. Moreover, many expats just have little leisure time, and it becomes hard to find people who share their interests, values and cultural references.

Despite being surrounded by colleagues and (possibly) family members, it is quite easy and common for an expat to feel lonely. Emotional loneliness is not necessarily connected to companionship, but it's most likely originated by a lack of connection with the people they share homes, workplaces and cities with. Loneliness is a lack of pure bonds, deep friendships and moments of human sharing, where someone feels safe enough to reveal their true self and emotional depth.

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The conflict between nostalgia and independence

Sometimes, loneliness is not a problem in itself. Sometimes, it can be a great starting point for building a new, solid and satisfying network of human relationships. But first, one needs to accept the feeling and to start working on the ability to deal with it in a positive way.

It's surely important for an expat's mental health and emotional balance to keep in touch with family members and old friends, to ask them recommendations and to stay up to date with what happens back 'home'. Missing one's native country is in fact also perfectly normal. However, those chats and events usually take place online, so they should be carefully balanced in order to leave way to other people and activities directly involved with one's new daily life.

If an expat is facing inner barriers to form deep bonds with new people, holding onto old ones could be useful in the immediate, but it doesn't suffice in the long run. Sometimes, it could even be counterproductive to the integration progress, as it could tie him or her to a spiral of cultural inadequacy and home nostalgia. When we spend too much time online and in our thoughts, ruminating, we could spiral into existential loneliness, anguish and general distress from where it becomes much harder to keep focused on one's goals.

If you are an expat in Turin and you're experiencing emotional or social loneliness, difficulties in adapting and need support in navigating your new life, book an intro session with me. I'll help you in better understanding your feelings and emotional needs with kindness, professionalism and empathy.

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