ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Moving abroad doesn't fix your mental health, but it doesn't have to hurt it either. It's more complicated than either of those things, and that's exactly what we got into in this conversation.
I sat down with Julie Martin, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with expats and digital nomads, to talk about what actually happens to your mental health when you uproot your life, why old patterns tend to resurface in new places, and how to find the right support when you're far from home.
We talk about:
- Why trauma and anxiety follow you abroad and show up in new forms
- How to mentally prepare for moving abroad or starting your life as a digital nomad as someone with a mental health history
- The real difference between therapy and coaching, and when each is appropriate
- Why online therapy has limits and what to do if you need higher levels of care
- How to build a support system and community as a digital nomad or expat
- The unregulated wellness space abroad and how to protect yourself in it
Julie Martin is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in expats and digital nomads. She works with clients navigating anxiety, trauma, and identity across time zones and cultures. Follow her on @therapy4expats on Instagram
The supplements Julie reccomend:
- Magnesium glycinate
- Vitamin D3 & K2
00:00 Intro
00:22 Who is Julie Martin?
03:50 What nomads and expats most commonly struggle with
06:00 How old patterns from family of origin resurface abroad
09:00 Running away vs. running toward: a therapist's take
13:00 How to prepare your mental health before moving abroad
16:00 Online therapy vs. in-person: what actually changes
22:00 What to do if you need a higher level of care abroad
27:00 How to build community intentionally as a nomad
33:00 The unregulated wellness and coaching space abroad
45:00 Therapy vs. coaching: what's the difference?
55:00 Practical tips for mental health routines while traveling
Hi, I’m Ebba. The host of Being a Lot podcast. I’m a mental health survivor who decided to leave everything behind to start the digital nomad life. I started this podcast to open up the conversation about how to become a digital nomad and how to navigate nomad life when you are or have been struggling with your mental health.
Follow on Instagram: @being.ebba & beingalot.podcast
