Expat Consulting
Moving abroad and starting a new life in a new country can be one of the most exciting, and potentially most fulfilling, experiences in your life. Meeting new people, enjoying new foods, learning a new language, exploring a new culture, and visiting new cities: these are all part of the Expat Experience. It seems exhilarating! And it can be.
But picking up your life and starting over in a new, unfamiliar place is also daunting and disruptive.
Don’t get me wrong! Life disruptions can lead to tremendous joy and personal growth — when handled thoughtfully and proactively.
Expat Help for the Challenges of Moving Abroad
But so often you hear about disappointed, frustrated, and emotionally drained Expats trying to sell their homes and cars, arrange the flight and shipping logistics (again), and plan for their moves back to their home countries merely months after moving abroad. They pulled up their roots and planted them in a new country, only to rip them up and start all over again.
- Dreams are shattered
- Families and careers are disrupted
- Bank accounts are emptied
- Conflicts ensue
It is sad and frustrating beyond belief.
But what went wrong?
- You hired a relocation consultant.
- You read all the Expat blogs and watched every YouTube video you could find.
- You scoured the Expat Facebook groups and read all the comments on dozens of threads
- And maybe you even hired an immigration attorney or a scout in your destination country to help plan the move.
You did all the things, right? Right??
Why Expat Consulting Makes Sense
While all these things can be helpful, making a successful transition to a new country is more than just logistics, research, and planning. Starting a new life is an emotional decision that requires real self-reflection and in-depth emotional exploration before making the move.
Why? Because the consequences of failure are monumental, and talking with a professional can help avoid these problems before it’s too late.
Help for Expats Before a Move
As an experienced licensed counselor and consultant, I help potential Expats explore the emotional and psychological aspects of moving abroad before they’ve committed to it. This process can:
- Lead to a better understanding of yourself, your motives, and your desires
- Provide a necessary outlet to express your hopes, fears, expectations, and concerns in a safe, confidential space without fear of judgment or criticism.
- Result in new personal insights that inform your decision on whether to become an Expat.
- Lead to more realistic expectations.
Help for Expats Already Abroad
I also help existing Expats deal with the struggles that often arise once they’ve moved, such as:
- Adapting to a new culture with values and customs that may significantly differ from your own
- Feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection from family and friends
- Frustrations with bureaucracy and other societal stressors
As an Expat myself, I understand the emotional ups and downs that come with picking up your life and starting over in an unfamiliar place. Doing some emotional work up front, and having a dedicated time and space to process your challenging feelings and experiences both before and after the move, can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth transition to a successful and joyful Expat life.
Get Expat Help from an Expatriate Consultant
Don’t make the same mistakes that so many others have made. Book a free consultation below to discuss how this process can benefit you.
Tom Adams offers online expat help and expatriate consulting to those who are planning a move abroad or are already living overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Expat Consulting
No, this is consulting, but as a licensed therapist, I know that many people find the process of talking with a professional about these issues to be cathartic and therapeutic.
Every person’s situation is unique, so it’s impossible to say, but a good general benchmark is the point at which to come to a decision about whether to make the move. This may take weeks or months.
Absolutely, this is exactly what this process is for – helping you to decide if moving abroad is right for you.
Talking through these problems with an experienced professional is the best path to move forward, and I’m available to help you in this situation.
No, but if you’re moving to Portugal, I can recommend people who specialize in these services.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and cost $150 per session.
Click here to schedule a free consultation and to book a new appointment.