Background photo of psychotherapist Henriette Johnsen by the water

A blog about the good expat life

by Henriette Johnsen

Welcome to my blog! Here you’ll find everything from guides on various aspects of Danish culture to personal accounts from other expats - and most importantly, an in-depth look at some of the psychological challenges of expat life. I hope you will use these blog posts to enhance your expat experience.

Contact me today for a free 25 minute session

All posts
Phases of expat life
Couples
Children
Trailing spouse
Identity
Isolation & loneliness
Self-compassion
Expat stories
Danish culture
Language
Holidays
COVID-19
Empty nest syndrome
Strength & resilience
Therapy
War
Danish Work Culture
Children in Denmark
Friendships
Mental health

Grief: When a Cancelled Trip Feels Like Losing Psychological Oxygen

Sometimes, the losses that affect us most are not the ones the world immediately recognises as grief. A cancelled journey, a postponed plan, or an experience we had quietly been looking forward to for months can touch something deeper in our nervous system. This reflection explores why certain places, experiences, and trips can feel like psychological oxygen , and why losing access to them can unexpectedly feel like loss and grief. Recently, I had to cancel a long-planned t

Holidays

Henriette Johnsen

Mar 115 min read

Expat Stories: the struggle is real – the neglected loneliness of an expat

Story Time: hearing personal stories from other expats is a window to new worlds. Worlds of new meaning, understanding, and depth about ourselves, each other, and lived experiences – in other words, it’s a window to life! In this case, expat life in its many ways, shapes, and forms. The story of this blogpost showcases the invisible loneliness that many expats experience, but don’t necessarily talk about. “We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. Ther

Isolation & loneliness

Henriette Johnsen

Sep 27, 20243 min read

Expat Stories: the nightmare of the "Stuck expat mums"

Story Time: hearing personal stories from other expats is a window to new worlds. Worlds of new meaning, understanding, and depth about ourselves, each other, and lived experiences – in other words, it’s a window to life! In this case, expat life in its many ways, shapes, and forms. The story of this blogpost takes us to depression and loneliness that can follow a divorce abroad when you are not able to relocate with your child(ren). “We are all storytellers. We all live

Trailing spouse

Henriette Johnsen

Sep 17, 20243 min read