Expats, Migrants and Diaspora

Psychotherapy for 3rd Culture Adults 18+

Expats, Migrants and Diaspora

Whether you are a third-culture adult, an expat, a migrant, or part of an ancestral diaspora, living between cultures can bring challenges in identity, belonging, and community. If this resonates with you, I may be able to help.

“When someone casually asks, 'Where are you from?' it’s never a simple answer. I could say Turkish, but I’m not. German? I have a passport, but that doesn’t always seem to count. British? I live here, but that raises more questions. It’s complicated.”
Who defines who you are?

I’ve always found it interesting how some people are called migrants while others—often with similar experiences—refer to themselves as expats. I grew up in Germany, the child of Turkish migrants who were also part of a Northern Caucasus diaspora.

I’ve spent years in Germany, Spain, and the UK. Sometimes I’ve been perceived as a migrant, other times as an expat—until my name or background came up. So when I discovered the term third culture adult, it felt like a relief. It put words to an experience I had lived for years—the challenge of belonging when home is more than one place. If this resonates, I might be able to help.

Is it normal to feel disconnected after moving?
Relocating—whether by choice or necessity—often brings a sense of disconnection. The places, customs, and relationships that once felt familiar may no longer be present, leaving you feeling unmoored. Many people struggle with balancing their past and present selves in new environments. Therapy can provide a space to explore these feelings and rebuild a sense of connection, no matter where you are.

Why does shame show up when living between cultures?
Shame often arises when you feel you don’t fully belong anywhere—too foreign for one place, too privileged for another. It can come from cultural expectations, language barriers, or the way others perceive your identity, even causing minority stress. The pressure to ‘fit in’ can be exhausting, leading to self-doubt and isolation. Therapy can help unpack where this shame comes from and find ways to move towards self-acceptance.

Can therapy help when I don’t feel at home anywhere?
For those who have lived in multiple places or between cultures, the idea of ‘home’ can feel complicated. It’s common to experience grief, nostalgia, or even guilt over leaving one place behind. Therapy can help make sense of these emotions, offering ways to feel more grounded and at peace with a life that may never fit into a single place or label.