PSI has been serving the expat community of Thailand for more than 20 years. We understand the stresses and the pleasures of being expatriates and are ready to help our clients cope with life abroad! We’ve helped hundreds of clients adjust to living in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Expatriate life offers many unique and wonderful experiences, but there are also significant challenges. When you’re adjusting to Southeast Asia, you’ll confront and try to navigate unfamiliar cultural norms, language barriers, as well as the absence of your established social support networks. Additionally, expatriates may face uncertainties related to their professional roles, immigration policies, or the logistics of settling into a new environment. Not even including managing your children’s adjustment to new schools if you have kids or your partners adjustment to being an accompanying partner in Thailand, which can be quite challenging all by itself. All these factors can contribute to elevated stress levels, as you strive to adapt while maintaining your unique personal and professional equilibrium. These stresses can feel isolating, as even routine activities like shopping or commuting can demand extra effort and emotional resilience.
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Some expatriates experience mental health issues as a response to these demands, regardless of geographical context. Anxiety, depression, worry and burnout are common challenges in today’s fast-paced world. Factors like adjusting to new work and cultural environments, work pressures, financial worries, and personal relationships often weigh heavily on expats. If not addressed, these issues can manifest physically, such as through disrupted sleep or weakened immunity, further complicating one’s overall well-being. Seeking help can feel daunting due to stigma or logistical constraints, but addressing stress and mental health proactively is essential for a balanced, satisfying life.
For expatriates, these mental health struggles may take unique forms. The feeling of being an “outsider” or “other” in a host country can exacerbate loneliness and alienation. Cultural adjustment challenges might lead to self-doubt or “impostor syndrome,” especially if new workplace or other foreign social expectations clash with personal values or identity. For example, many expats struggle to find effective ways to communicate with Thai colleagues or family members. Expats may also grapple with homesickness or “reverse culture shock” when visiting home after adapting to a different environment.
Psychotherapy can serve as a valuable tool in addressing these challenges. Counseling provides a safe space to share concerns and explore coping strategies. Therapists can offer tailored techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral approaches, to help expatriates navigate cultural adjustment and manage stress. Moreover, counseling can foster resilience by equipping you with tools to help establish a sense of belonging and wellbeing. In particular, therapists experienced in cross-cultural issues, as we are at PSI, can be a significant resource for expatriates seeking to regain stability and thrive in their new settings.
We understand what it’s like to be expatriates. The foreign clinicians at PSI collectively have more than 100 years of personal expat experience! Plus, we’ve helped hundreds of expatriates adapt to life across Southeast Asia during the last two decades. You can put our experience and expertise to work for your own benefit. Through the support of therapy, expatriates can overcome adjustment hurdles and develop the skills necessary to embrace and enjoy their international experiences.
Benjamin Weinstein, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Certified Teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion
