Psychologist for expats: therapy in english and french

Living abroad is often imagined as an exciting chapter. A new country, a fresh start, new opportunities. And while those things can certainly be true, many expats are surprised by how emotionally demanding this experience can be. Not because something is clearly wrong, but because life quietly becomes more complex once familiar structures fall away.

After moving abroad, many people notice that the challenges they face are not limited to expat life alone. Stress, exhaustion, anxiety, or low mood do not disappear when you cross a border. These are human experiences, and they can surface or intensify when familiar routines, support systems, and social connections change or disappear.

The quiet pressure of constant adaptation

Relocating to another country affects more than your practical life. It influences how safe you feel, how you relate to others, and how you experience yourself. Daily life often requires more effort, from communication to decision-making. Even simple tasks can feel heavier when everything happens in another language or cultural context.

Over time, this constant adjustment can create a subtle but persistent inner tension. Many expats describe feeling as if they are always “on,” constantly adapting and anticipating, with little space to pause, reflect, or fully recharge. This pressure often builds gradually and may go unnoticed at first, until the body or mind starts to signal that something is out of balance.

When stress turns into burnout

For some expats, this ongoing pressure shows up as overwork or burnout. Especially in professional settings, there can be a strong drive to perform well, to prove yourself in another language, and to meet high expectations. At first, this effort may feel manageable or even motivating.

Gradually, however, energy fades. Motivation drops. Emotional and physical exhaustion begin to take over. What once felt like ambition can slowly turn into a sense of merely getting through the day. Burnout often develops quietly, making it hard to recognize until rest no longer feels restorative..

Anxiety and depressive feelings abroad

Others notice anxiety becoming more prominent. A constant sense of restlessness, worrying thoughts that are difficult to switch off, physical tension, or trouble sleeping can become part of everyday life. Living in a new environment can amplify these feelings, particularly when you don’t yet feel settled or secure.

Depressive feelings can also emerge or deepen during expat life. A sense of sadness, emptiness, or emotional distance that is hard to explain — especially when life appears successful from the outside. Many expats struggle with guilt about these feelings, telling themselves they should be grateful or stronger. This inner conflict often makes it harder to acknowledge what is really going on and to reach out for support.

Therapy as a space that holds both stories

This is where working with a psychologist for expats can be helpful. Not because your difficulties are only related to living abroad, but because they unfold within this context. Therapy offers a space where both realities are welcome: the impact of expat life and the personal themes that are part of being human, wherever you live.

Language plays an important role in this process. Even when expats speak the local language fluently, emotional expression often feels more natural in their mother tongue. Therapy in English or French allows you to speak freely, without translating your feelings or simplifying your experiences. For many people, this creates a sense of ease, safety, and being truly understood.

Finding support that fits an international life

In therapy, there is room to slow down and reflect. To explore what has been weighing on you, whether that is stress, burnout, anxiety, depressive feelings, relationship difficulties, or questions around identity and meaning. Therapy is not about fixing or labeling, but about understanding patterns, restoring balance, and creating space for change.

For many expats, online therapy fits naturally into life abroad. It offers flexibility and continuity, even when circumstances change or another move is on the horizon. Support does not have to stop when borders change.

At the same time, some expats prefer the experience of meeting in person. For those living in the Netherlands, therapy sessions are also possible. Having the option to choose between online and face-to-face sessions allows therapy to adapt to your needs and circumstances, rather than the other way around.

Taking the first step

There is no single reason to start therapy, and no threshold you need to reach before reaching out. Many people seek support because something feels out of balance, because they are tired of carrying everything alone, or because they want to understand themselves better.

If you are looking for a psychologist for expats, offering therapy in English and French, you are welcome exactly as you are. Therapy can be a place to reconnect with yourself, feel more grounded, and create emotional stability — both abroad and within.

Sometimes the most meaningful step is simply allowing yourself to pause and take your inner experience seriously.

Expat psychological support in English and French at BrainNetwork

At Psychologenpraktijk BrainNetwork, we have an expat psychologist in Soest who specializes in working with internationals and expats. We understand that living abroad can bring both expat-related challenges and more general psychological concerns, such as stress, burnout, anxiety, or depressive feelings.

We offer psychological treatment and coaching in English and French, providing a safe and supportive space where you can express yourself in the language that feels most natural to you. Sessions are available online and, for those living in the Netherlands, also in person in Soest.

If you would like to learn more about our approach or explore whether this support fits your situation, you can find additional information here:
https://www.brainnetwork.nl/english-french-speaking-psychologist-netherlands/

Taking the first step toward support can be quiet and thoughtful, but it can also mark the beginning of greater clarity and balance.

If you feel this support could be helpful for you, you are welcome to reach out via our contact page.

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