On this page we list companies providing English speaking support and relationship counselling in Spain.
To start we have a really useful article below which is kindly written by Marléne Rose Shaw of Couples Counselling Costa del Sol on how to overcome relationship challenges in expat life.
Why Retirement is a Terrible Idea (And What to Do Instead)...
For 30 years, I built businesses with one goal in mind: the finish line. Like many, I pictured the classic dream—moving to Spain, soaking up the sun, and finally switching off. But now that I’m here, I’ve started questioning everything.Watch the video below and let me know in the comments: are you ready to retire or are you ready to reinvent?
7 Specific Relationship Issues That Expat Couples Face and How To Overcome Them
Starting a new life abroad is a wonderful adventure. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone, but the rewards are well worth it. If this is you, then I know that you are an inspired person, who understands that life is about exploring new horizons and embracing all that it has to offer.
However, while moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, it can also come with its fair share of challenges, particularly for couples.
In addition to the typical challenges of expat life, such as cultural disparities, language barriers, and dealing with bureaucracy, as an expat couple, you will likely face additional challenges that can test your relationship.
It’s important to remember that these challenges are very common for expat couples, and by overcoming them, your relationship will become even closer and stronger. Here are some common challenges that expat couples face, along with some guidance on how to navigate them.
Loss Of Support Network
One of the most common challenges for expat couples is the loss of their old support network. When you move to a new country, you no longer have your friends and family nearby. You can stay in touch with them online of course, but it’s not quite the same as being able to go off and spend time with someone, away from your partner, and be able to offload your niggles and worries.
In most cases, a new support network will definitely exist, but it takes time to build up those connections.
People tell me:
“We pictured ourselves socialising and having fun, but actually, everyone has their own busy lives. We feel isolated and we tend to get on each other’s nerves.”
Couples often experience a sense of isolation when they are together, like being on a desert island. Spending a lot of time in each other’s presence without other social outlets can amplify minor issues, leading to arguments and bickering.
If this is familiar, couples therapy with a qualified therapist who understands expat life will help you find ways to communicate in less sensitive ways, to rediscover each other in this new chapter of your life, and to find confidence to go out and explore new friendships too.
Bringing Your Problems With You
When dreaming of a new life abroad, it’s only natural to hope for a fresh start. We all want our lives to be free from the problems that have plagued us in the past. However, many couples come to realise that they’ve brought old issues along with them. Something I hear from couples is:
“We thought this new life was going to be so much easier. But it seems that we’ve just brought all our old problems with us. Those problems feel even worse than they used to.”
These problems could be old hurts and betrayals that never got dealt with. Or it could be an ongoing pattern of miscommunication; feeling rejected or unheard or struggling with intimacy. Sadly if not dealt with, those relationship problems don’t go away by themselves; they can go on for many years and eventually harm a relationship.
If you relate to this experience of bringing old issues with you, you’re certainly not alone. I’ve met many, many couples who have done the same – that’s just being human. But realising you’ve brought old problems with you is a fantastic chance to significantly improve your relationship now. Through couples therapy, you can delve into those issues within a safe and supportive environment. Guided by a qualified professional, you can address and resolve those challenges once and for all, so that you can go forward to really enjoy your new life together in peace and happiness.
Experiencing Expat Life from Different Perspectives
Another common issue that couples bring to therapy is when one partner finds it harder to adapt to expat life than the other. One partner may be feeling overwhelmed and homesick. They’re thinking:
“I know I should be grateful to be living here, but I feel overwhelmed and I just want to go home!”
The other partner is feeling confident and excited about the future. They’re thinking:
“I don’t understand what’s changed? This was our dream. We knew it might be