My Expat Background
Since becoming a psychotherapist, the majority of my career has been spent working abroad. I lived in the U.S. for 7 years, becoming a psychotherapist there. After the U.S. I spent the next 11 years working in Argentina and Cambodia. In that time I created two practices, one a small private practice in Buenos Aires, the other a centre in Cambodia called Indigo Psychological Services. While running the centre I also managed therapists from from all over the world who worked with the local expatriate population; teachers and school administrators, journalists, members of the armed forces, human rights lawyers, diplomats, entrepreneurs and business people, and N.G.O. workers.
Transitions
Many of life’s most difficult and stressful moments involve some sort of change. From births to deaths, to moving house or moving country, to illness and growing older,all change involves loss. Along with change however, there is always the introduction of something new, a new world, which can be both exciting and liberating, but also disorientating.
Third Culture People
More and more people in an age of globalization are finding themselves in this sort of situation. People without any real home, or country. And while this brings many gifts in terms of insights and perspective, it can also lead to some insecurity as well. Many of us are strongly attached to our national identity, and indeed can draw confidence and strength from that. But for others, its more complex. They must find strength in themselves, which while more difficult can create something wonderful.
More information on transitions: Wall Street Journal (English) or El Pais (Spanish)