Frequently Asked Questions
What is Psychological Flexibility?
Put simply, it's the flexibility that is key to resilience. Being psychologically flexible means being aware of what you're feeling and thinking, accepting those feelings and thoughts, and choosing to act in ways that are important to you. This flexibility helps you handle life's challenges more effectively. Being psychologically flexible as an expat allows you to adapt to your new environment with less stress, more confidence in who you are, and more ability to get what you want out of your experience abroad. • Doing what’s important – according to who? Well, you, of course. We’ll work together to identify what it is that you truly value. And those values will be what guide you in your actions, and help you to decide what’s worth suffering for. It’s called value-based living, a concept alive for millennia, and supported with evidence-based techniques that we’ll learn together. • Wait, did you say “suffering”? Yes, well, that’s life. We really can’t avoid suffering in life, but we try to suffer for something we care about. And that’s why we’ll work together to determine what’s worth your pain. • OK, but what about the pain bit? Yeah, that suffering and pain is still going to be there, and we’ll learn how to face it head-on. You are bigger than your pain, and even when that pain is present, you can find the strength to do what is important to you. We’ll use approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Training - a robust therapeutic approach with strong empirical support – to learn practical techniques to accommodate suffering so you can find yourself living a life that is more rewarding and personally satisfying. • What do you mean by “being present”? Leo Tolstoy wrote, "Remember then: there is only one time that is important—Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power." In our daily life, we get caught up with thoughts of the past or worries about the future. This robs us of energy to act in the now, and lets the moment pass us by while we are paralyzed in thought. This is perfectly natural and the ability to engage in “mental time travel” is a gift that we have as humans – the ability to learn from the past and plan for the future. However, in the overwhelm of modern life, especially when we embrace the uncertainty inherent in expat life, we might have difficulty “getting it into gear” and being in touch with the present moment. We’ll learn techniques that help people get into the present moment, and detach from thoughts that snag our attention and divert us from our goals. • More information I did not create the concept of psychological flexibility, and there is a lot of information about it and Acceptance and Commitment Training. Find out more on the resource page.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a special way of using various naturally occurring psychological and physiological states to meet your goals. It’s a collaborative process in which you allow yourself to follow the guidance of a therapist by using your imagination to evoke positive emotions and rehearse behavior change. • Everyone can, in principle, be hypnotized. It has been shown to help if you relax, think positively, and imagine the things being suggested. • Hypnotic “trance”, so-called, is an increased ability to respond to positive suggestions, usually accompanied simply by relaxed attention to the ideas being suggested. • Hypnosis is not a state of sleep or unconsciousness. Roughly 90% of people report being aware of everything that happens, and relaxation helps but is not essential to hypnosis. • Hypnosis is not a state of mind control. You cannot be made to do anything against your will. On the contrary, normally you must want to accept suggested ideas and actively imagine responding to experience their effects. • Hypnosis is completely safe when used in a responsible and professional manner. Nobody has ever been “stuck” in hypnosis. • Comedy stage hypnosis has very little to do with clinical hypnotherapy and has been shown to foster misconceptions which can prevent people from benefiting from treatment. Take what you see on television witha generous pinch of salt. • Hypnotic suggestion is a means of experiencing certain helpful ideas at a level profound enough to directly influence our emotions and behaviour. • Psychological and emotional problems can be seen as the result of negative thinking, whereas hypnotherapy aims to encourage ("suggest") positive ideas which lead to improvement.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Training?
Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) is a form of psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, along with commitment and behavior change techniques, to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to be in the present moment with full awareness and openness to experiences, while taking action guided by one's values. Key components of ACT include: • Acceptance: Embracing thoughts and feelings without trying to change them, recognizing that avoidance can be counterproductive. • Cognitive Defusion: Learning to see thoughts and feelings as they are, not as they say they are, which helps reduce their impact and influence. • Being Present: Being aware of the here and now, experiencing it with openness, interest, and receptiveness. • Self-as-Context: Understanding that one is not defined by thoughts and feelings but is a context in which thoughts and feelings occur. • Values: Identifying what is truly important and meaningful to oneself. • Committed Action: Taking effective action guided by values, even in the face of obstacles. ACT is used to treat a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and addiction, and is also applied in organizational settings to enhance performance and well-being.
What do you do, exactly?
I assist individuals in all aspects of their social lives, including their relationship with themselves, as they transition to new environments. By integrating classic coaching and hypnosis techniques with the latest evidence-based methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, I support clients in self-management and overcoming obstacles to their personal and professional fulfillment. My expertise extends to family support as well. I help expatriate parents to provide proactive, preventative care for their children, to set collaborative goals and action plans, and to facilitate family debriefs to reflect on experiences abroad. My approach to Family Care is informed by my own experience of relocating my family to nine different countries, and is enhanced with formal training. I underwent training in the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Child and Adolescent Development and Parenting Program and hold a TCK (Third Culture Kids) Family Debrief Certification.
What don't you do?
While I am dedicated to supporting clients in various aspects of their social lives, I am not equipped to address diagnosed mental illnesses that hinder individuals from fully engaging in a healthy and fulfilling life. In such cases, or when I suspect untreated mental health issues may be contributing to a client's challenges, I rely on my network of colleagues in the expat mental health community to find an appropriate referral. Specific mental health diagnoses are best managed by specialists who follow well-evidenced mental health protocols. Additionally, some aspects of family support, such as marriage counseling or addressing the needs of neurodiverse family members abroad, are best handled by other qualified professionals. Thankfully, as the field of expat support grows, more resources and services are becoming available, even in remote locations. I am able to assist clients by providing referrals to appropriate specialists through my professional network.
What does a session cost?
Sessions last 90 minutes and cost 150 USD . You can book a free 15-minute chat now to learn more and decide if this approach is right for you.
Still have questions?
If this sounds interesting, just book a 15-minute chat. And of course, if you would rather send me a question, write me a message below.
