Humanitarian and Overseas Workers
Living and working overseas can be deeply rewarding, but it can also come with unique pressures that are often difficult for others to understand.
Having lived and worked overseas for many years, including leading a psychology practice in Cambodia, I understand many of the challenges that can arise when navigating life, work, family, and identity across cultures.
I provide psychological support for:
Humanitarian aid and development workers
NGO and non-profit staff
Missionaries and faith-based workers
Diplomats and embassy staff
Expatriates and internationally mobile professionals
Returning overseas workers and their families
Common Areas of Support
Many overseas workers are highly capable, resilient people who have spent years focusing on the needs of others. Over time, however, the cumulative impact of stress, exposure to suffering, organisational pressures, repeated transitions, and separation from support networks can take a toll.
I commonly work with people experiencing:
Burnout and compassion fatigue
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Anxiety and panic
Depression and low mood
Moral injury and loss of purpose
Grief and cumulative loss
Relationship and family challenges
Cross-cultural adjustment difficulties
Repatriation and reverse culture shock
Identity and faith-related questions
Workplace stress and conflict
Trauma-Informed Support
Many humanitarian and overseas workers are exposed to experiences that can have a lasting psychological impact. This may include responding to disasters, conflict, poverty, abuse, medical emergencies, or other situations involving significant human suffering.
Sometimes these experiences lead to obvious symptoms of trauma. At other times, people simply notice that they are no longer coping in the way they once did.
As a Clinical Psychologist trained in EMDR therapy, I provide evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD, while also recognising the broader emotional, relational, and existential impacts that can arise from overseas work.
A Space Where You Don’t Have to Explain Everything
One of the most common things I hear from overseas workers is that they feel misunderstood when they return home or seek support. Experiences that felt normal overseas can be difficult to explain to people who have not lived or worked in similar environments.
My aim is to provide a space where you can speak openly about your experiences without needing to justify or minimise them.
Appointments
Appointments are available in-person in Frankston, Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula, as well as via telehealth across Australia. In some cases, I will work with clients who are based overseas.
If you are looking for a psychologist who understands the unique challenges of humanitarian, mission, and overseas work, I would be pleased to discuss whether I may be a good fit for your needs.