We are here, too - on mental health abroad

Let's connect Let's delve more into generational patterns and how they can impact the way we cope and connect to others, even when we move abroad. --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland. We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of lif...

Let's connect An episode on generational trauma --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland. We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you! Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso www.francescacounselling.com I...

Let's connect Families, boundaries and connection. This is an episode about hope! You may also like: S2E6: "No, I'm not going home for the holidays": a journey to self-acceptance S4E5: Aging parents and the distance between us --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland. We are here, too exists...

Let's connect Caring for family (especially aging parents) across distance creates a complex mix of emotions as we navigate love, guilt, and the practical challenges of showing up when we physically can't be there. If you want to delve more into the themes of this episode, you may also like: S1E4: Why am I feeling this guilty?  S1E11: The importance of relationships when living abroad S2E6: "No, I...

Let's connect Identity shifts don't always happen suddenly when living abroad; they unfold quietly until our certainty about who we are becomes less clear. The tension between who we've been and who we're becoming creates discomfort as we try to make sense of the different parts of ourselves. --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso,...

Let's connect Finding stability isn't about a fixed state of being stable or unstable but rather a continuum of steadiness that ebbs and flows throughout our lives. When we feel grounded, we can respond to life from a place of certainty rather than reactivity, allowing us to think clearly and make decisions that benefit us in the long term. This is the theme of today's episode. If you would like t...

Let's connect Have you ever felt completely untethered from yourself after moving abroad? That disorienting sensation where suddenly everything you thought defined you seem up for questioning? You're experiencing an identity crisis, which might be one of the most powerful catalysts for growth in your journey abroad (and if you've lived abroad long enough, you'll know this feeling is cyclical!). In...

Let's connect This episode is a kickoff to a broader exploration of relationships, not just confined to the intimate ones but expanding to how we connect with our new surroundings and cultures. The focus is on why, in the hustle and bustle of settling into a new country, the connection with ourselves is our most important "tool" to navigate the ebbs and flows of life abroad.  Themes explored: • Im...

Let's connect Ever found yourself in a foreign land, feeling the weight of solitude pressing down on you? My journey through the highs and lows of living abroad brought me face to face with the challenges of cultural adjustments and finding a place of belonging. In our latest discussion, I share the realities of navigating loneliness and stress in a new country. With the aid of therapy and self-ca...

Let's connect This episode was a long one coming, and I hope it invites you to extend curiosity to those experiences that are often at the edge of our life abroad.  If you want to deepen some of the topics discussed in this episode, I would recommend: Hard truth 1: S3E2: People-pleasing abroad: maintaining identity amidst cultural adaptation Hard truth 2: S1E2: Unpacking culture shock and S1E12: T...

Let's connect Have you ever pondered where you truly belong? This week, I invite you on a heartfelt exploration of 'home' and belonging as we unravel how our sense of place shapes our mental landscape. We will venture through Scottish (and Northern European) folklore, where personal tales of finding comfort in the unfamiliar intertwine with the collective experiences of those who've ventured far f...

Let's connect Edit: I've just realised I opened this episode saying, "In Season 4 Episode 1", when I actually meant "Season 1 Episode 4". -- Have you ever felt the weight of guilt gnawing at you physically while living miles away from home? This episode peels back the layers to reveal how guilt triggers neural networks, stirs muscle tension, disrupts our digestive and respiratory systems, and hija...

Let's connect In today's episode, I talk about people pleasing when living abroad and how it may take  on the role of integrating us into the new country. Transitioning to life in a new country comes with its own emotional rollercoaster, a journey that many of us know all too well. This episode addresses the fine line between adapting and losing oneself. With heartfelt stories and practical advice...

Let's connect Emerging from a long hiatus, I, Francesca, return to the microphone with a tale that resonates deep within the heart of anyone who's ever found themselves rooted in foreign soil. This episode peels back the layers of identity shaped by the lands we call home and the internal tug-of-war between assimilation and authenticity.  This conversation is a gentle nudge to embrace the richness...

Let's connect Let me take you on a journey, a journey that many of us have experienced, but few have recounted - the emotional rollercoaster of going back home to our host country after the holidays. The thrill of the unfamiliar, the pang of homesickness, and the inevitable culture shock - they're all part and parcel of living abroad. We're going to dig deep into these feelings, giving voice to wh...

Let's connect Ever find yourself longing for the comfort of familiar faces while stationed in a new country? Have you ever realized that the people in your host country now know more about your current life than those back home? Join me as I share my personal experiences of living abroad, discussing the nuanced dynamics of maintaining ties with home while fostering new relationships abroad.  Balan...

Let's connect Going on holidays to your home country or returning home after living abroad can feel like stepping into a parallel universe. As your host, Francesca, I reveal how I navigated my own journey through this disorienting maze in an episode dedicated to the fascinating subject of reverse culture shock. With the backdrop of an Italian native living in Scotland, I take you through my person...

Let's connect Ever sat alone in a foreign place during the holiday season, wrestling with the decision of whether to go home or not? You're not alone. Join me as I bare my soul and share my own rollercoaster of emotions - the initial fear, the white lie to protect my joy, the dread, and the eventual acceptance - that came with my decision to stay abroad during the holidays. In this  personal journ...

Let's connect What if your feelings of homesickness could reveal deeper insights about your personal values and life stages? As I, your host Francesca, grappled with an overwhelming sense of homesickness on my recent trip to Sicily, I discovered just how multifaceted this emotion truly is. This episode takes you on my personal journey as I try to comprehend my longing for home, and how it reflects...

Let's connect Remember those golden holidays back home, surrounded by familiar faces, savouring traditional delicacies and getting immersed in the joyous festivities? These memories can stir up a mixed bag of emotions, especially for those of us living overseas. In this engaging discussion, we unpack those complex feelings of nostalgia, longing, and sometimes, shock and frustration, that bubble up...

Let's connect Ever thought escaping to a holiday destination would leave your problems behind?  Well, it may not always be the case.  Join me as I uncover the importance of accountability and fostering trust in our ability to instigate positive change with an emphasis on self-care. I will talk about the physical toll of stress, the importance of breaks, and how to anchor ourselves in activities an...

Let's connect In this podcast episode, we delve into the intricacies of mental health when living abroad. Join me as we explore the often unspoken topic of holiday guilt experienced by those navigating life in a foreign land. Through first-hand stories and a fresh perspective, I share the complex emotions and unique challenges that arise when taking time off from your life abroad. Gain valuable in...

Let's connect We are opening Season 2 "The holiday experience" talking about needs.  We delve into the world of  travel, uncovering the unique needs that arise when going on holidays as a foreigner. From navigating relationship dynamics to managing emotional well-being, join me as we unravel the intimate connection between needs and boundaries. Gain insights and understanding on meeting your holid...

Let's connect In this week's episode, we will talk about tapping into our power when we live abroad by recognising our agency. What is agency? Agency is the capacity of all individuals to have the power and resources to fulfil their potential. So how does that play about when we move abroad?  Listen to this episode to learn more. --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life...

Let's connect Friendships and intimate relationships when living abroad can feel like family. In this episode I talk about the complexity of relationships when they intersect with our life abroad.  If you want to learn more about this topic, you can listen to Season 4, which is all about relationships! --------- We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca...