Newcomers and Cultural In-Betweeners
When living between cultures starts to wear you down.
Living in a country that isn’t fully yours takes ongoing effort. Routine tasks can take more energy than expected.
You may be navigating unfamiliar systems, reading social cues, working or studying in a second language, or carrying responsibility for family far away.
Over time, this pressure to adapt can show up as anxiety, withdrawal, or exhaustion.
Common Signs
Ongoing tension or mental fatigue
Feeling split between cultures, roles, or expectations
Sadness, emptiness, or emotional overwhelm
Homesickness or culture shock
Difficulty making decisions or trusting your own judgment
Loneliness or isloation
How Therapy Helps
Looks at the demands of adapting to a new place
Sorts out expectations from family, work, and culture
Names where these expectations overlap or conflict across systems
Makes sense of feeling pulled in different directions
A private place to talk about pressure and loneliness
What you may experience
Freedom to speak simply, without polishing your words
Plain language for describing situations and emotions
Time to think without being rushed
A chance to sort through the pressures coming at you from different directions
Next Steps
A private space to talk things through. If English is not your first language—welcome!