COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

Living in a new country often means adapting to different lifestyles and expectations, which can lead to misunderstandings. Partners might have different approaches to adjusting, resulting in frustration and conflict. In therapy, I help couples learn healthier communication skills, whether online or face-to-face, so they can reconnect and resolve issues more effectively.

SHIFTING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Moving abroad often changes the balance of who does what in the relationship. One partner might struggle with new responsibilities—managing the home, adjusting to work-life changes, or even feeling isolated if they're not working. This imbalance can create tension and resentment. Therapy can offer a space to realign roles and expectations, helping both partners feel more supported.

LONELINESS AND LOSS OF SUPPORT NETWORKS

As an expat, it’s common to feel lonely, even within a relationship. Your usual support systems—friends, family, familiar places—are far away, and this can strain the connection with your partner, who may be expected to meet those now unfulfilled emotional needs. This can lead to tension and feelings of inadequacy. In therapy, we can explore how to build stronger emotional bonds and create a shared sense of belonging, even in a new place. It can also provide a safe space to explore other ways of building support systems and easing the emotional burden within the relationship.

DIFFERENT PACES OF ADJUSTMENT

Every individual adjusts to expat life differently, and partners are often not on the same timeline. While one person may thrive in the new environment, the other might struggle with homesickness or cultural adaptation. This mismatch can lead to frustration or disconnection. I can help you work through these feelings and find ways to support each other through the adjustment process.

FINANCIAL STRAIN

Managing finances in a new country—especially with differences in cost of living, taxes, or job opportunities—can be stressful for couples. Financial stress often leads to conflict and feelings of insecurity. In therapy, I help couples develop strategies to manage financial challenges together, reducing anxiety and strengthening their partnership.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Coming from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds or speaking different native languages, can all bring potential challenges to the relationship. But even if you share backgrounds, living abroad exposes you to new cultures and ideas that may shift your perspectives in different ways. This can sometimes lead to unexpected difficulties when negotiating challenges or feelings of drifting apart. Therapy can help couples navigate these cultural changes, fostering understanding and compromise.

PARENTING STRESS

For couples with children, raising them in a foreign country comes with its own set of challenges—from schooling to maintaining cultural traditions. Differences in parenting approaches can become magnified in an unfamiliar environment. In therapy, we can work on creating a shared parenting plan that reflects your values while adjusting to the realities of living abroad.

LACK OF TIME TOGETHER

Busy expat lifestyles, new work pressures, and social obligations can mean less quality time for each other. Over time, this lack of connection can lead to feelings of distance and neglect. Therapy can help you prioritize your relationship, working on rebuilding intimacy and closeness, even amid a hectic schedule.

REBUILDING TRUST AFTER INFIDELITY

One of the most painful challenges any couple can face is the sense of betrayal after infidelity. Whether it's a physical affair or an emotional connection with someone else, infidelity can feel like a profound breach of trust, shattering the foundation of the relationship. For many, the experience can be traumatic, leading to symptoms that resemble PTSD—flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and intense emotional distress.

Even when both parts are open to considering ways forward, talking about the betrayal often feels impossible, leaving both partners stuck in a cycle of hurt and confusion. Misguided advice from friends or family, as well as the impact on children, can make the situation even more complicated.