Finding a therapist when you live internationally is harder than it should be. As an international therapist and coach for expats, I frequently watch people go about it the wrong way, and I can't blame them. The system isn't set up to make international therapy easy. But there are smarter ways to search and clearer things to look for. Here's what's actually worth your time, and what isn't.

Stop Doing These Things (Seriously)

Let's start with what not to do, because this is where most people get stuck.

Don't Search By Insurance. 

For all the reasons covered in the FAQ on my international therapy page, this almost never works for expats or aid workers. The jurisdictional and billing complications alone will send you in circles.

Don't Search By Modality.

Looking specifically for an EMDR therapist, an IFS practitioner, or a Brainspotting specialist sounds thorough. In practice, it narrows your pool significantly while missing the most important variable: the relationship.

A skilled, experienced therapist who you genuinely connect with will get you further than a specialist in a specific technique who you don't click with. Every time.

Don't Assume "Works Online" Means "Works Internationally."

Many therapists back home are happy to say yes to online sessions, but their licensure and liability insurance don't cover clients outside specific states or regions.

Always ask directly.

And Please, Stop Seeking Free Sessions.

Anyone who is genuinely good at this does not have time to offer them.

You get what you pay for. Invest in yourself accordingly.

What to Actually Look For

Ask colleagues and friends for recommendations first. Word of mouth still works, especially in expat communities where people are often navigating the same challenges.

When you're vetting someone, look for at minimum a Master's degree in a therapy-related field, along with licensure and professional affiliations.

Length of experience matters too.

And Here's Something Worth Considering:

Has this person had a career outside of therapy? Someone who has worked in other fields before becoming a therapist often has a broader frame of reference. That kind of life experience makes it a lot easier for them to relate to the complexity of your world.

Check Their Website.

It doesn't need to be flashy, but an outdated or neglected site can tell you something about how engaged they are in their practice.

Have a look at their social presence too.

That's not snooping, that's due diligence.

And Finally, Think About Fit.

International therapy for expats works best when the relationship feels real.

You want someone you'd be comfortable being honest with, someone whose company you don't dread.

If you wouldn't be comfortable having a glass of wine with them, that's worth paying attention to.

The Questions Worth Asking Before You Commit

Once you've found someone who looks promising, here are three questions that will tell you a lot:

"What Was the Topic of Your Most Recent Continuing Education?" 

This separates the therapists who are staying current and genuinely curious from the ones doing the same tired thing they learned twenty years ago.

"Tell Me About the Therapy and Coaching You've Had Yourself." 

This one is non-negotiable for me. Never work with a therapist who hasn't done their own work.

It's that simple.

"What's Your Plan for Working with Me?" 

Once they know what you're bringing, a good therapist should be able to give you a rough sense of how they'd approach it.

Vagueness here is a yellow flag.

Here's How to Actually Find Someone Worth Your Time

Ask Around. 

Someone in your network has likely found a good person. Start there before diving into a Google rabbit hole.

Listen to Your Gut. 

If something feels off in the first session, it probably is. A good therapeutic relationship should feel safe and reasonably comfortable from the start.

Trust that instinct.

Start with a One-Time Session. 

Before you commit to a longer process, book a single session to work on one specific issue. It lets you experience how someone works without having to unpack your entire life story upfront.

If it's a good fit, you'll know. And if it isn't, you haven't lost much.

Finding the Right Person Takes a Little Effort.

As an international therapist and coach for expats based in British Columbia and working online with clients all over the world, I'd say it's worth every bit of it.

The right therapeutic relationship can change everything.

And you deserve one that actually fits the life you're living.

Finding the Right International Therapist and Coach for Expats Starts Here

If you've read this far, you're already ahead of most people. You know what to look for, what to avoid, and what questions to ask. Now you just need to actually find someone. As an international therapist and coach for expats based in British Columbia and working online with clients all over the world, I might be exactly who you're looking for. Or I might point you in the right direction. Either way, let's talk.

International therapy for expats works best when the relationship is right. If you'd like to find out whether we're a good fit before committing to anything longer, a One-Time Healing Session is the perfect place to start. One issue, one session, no life story required. And if you're ready for something more thorough, Therapeutic Coaching begins with a 90-minute discovery session where we map your history, identify the patterns that have been running the show, and build a personalized roadmap for the work ahead.

When you're ready, here's how we begin:

• Book a One-Time Healing Session: One issue, 55 minutes, and a chance to experience how I work before committing to anything longer. A great place to start.
• Book a Discovery Session: Ready to dive in for some deeper, longer-term work? Therapeutic coaching starts with a 90-minute discovery to map your story, uncover your patterns, and build a plan that incorporates the very best of an international therapy and coaching process to get you moving through life in a whole new way.
• Get to Know Me First: Not quite ready? Fair enough. Have a look at my about page, read a few more posts, and get a feel for who I am and how I think. I'll still be here when you're ready.
• Show Up From Wherever You Are: A flat in Paris, a hotel room in Bangkok, a kitchen table in whatever country you're calling home this year. All you need is an internet connection and a private space. I'll handle everything else.

Other Ways to Work With Me

The search for support rarely starts and ends in one place. Whether you're dealing with burnout, trauma, relational patterns, or simply a sense that something needs to shift, there are several ways we can work together. One-Time Healing Sessions offer a focused, single-session option for one specific issue. Therapeutic Coaching provides a deeper, structured process for those ready to go further. Consulting and Mentoring supports therapists, coaches, and healers looking for guidance. And Live and On-Demand Courses are available for professionals wanting to deepen their trauma-informed practice. Whatever you're carrying, there's likely a door in that fits where you are right now.

About the Author

Jane McCampbell Stuart is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Certified Professional Co-active Coach based on an island in British Columbia, though her clients are scattered across the globe. With over 20 years of experience as a trauma therapist and having lived in four countries on two continents herself, she has a particular soft spot for the expats, executives, aid workers, and globally mobile humans who are brilliant at everything except sitting still. Her approach is deeply relational, clinically precise, and just a little bit magical. She gets in, gets to the root, and gets to work. And then she teaches you how to do it too.