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
Mental health
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

Living Between Worlds: Choosing the Right Therapist as an Expat, Individual, or International Couple

When I first moved abroad, I thought I was prepared. I had the language. I had the professional identity. I knew how to build a life. What I had not anticipated was the quiet, relational impact of living between cultures. The way that your sense of self shifts depending on where you are. The way belonging becomes layered and, at times, fragile. The way your nervous system has to work harder when everything familiar is no longer around you. Having lived as an expat in three di

Therapy

Henriette Johnsen

7 days ago3 min read

The Unspoken, Invisible Expat Challenges We Rarely Say Out Loud

Living abroad can look exciting from the outside: new places, new languages, new people, new possibilities. And it truly can be all of that. But having lived abroad myself for many years, I also know how quietly heavy expat life can feel. One of the things that surprised me most was loneliness that didn’t always look like loneliness. I could be busy, productive, surrounded by people – and still feel deeply unseen. Not because anyone was unkind, but because connection often ta

Phases of expat life

Henriette Johnsen

Feb 83 min read