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Alexandra Dobbs
Sophrologist and Hypnotherapist
Alexandra Dobbs
Sophrologist and Hypnotherapist

Coping with Expat life?


four clocks from different countries

How I can help you

While living in a new country finding your way through new references, codes and a different culture altogether can be difficult. You might go through all kinds of emotional ups and downs before finding the right balance for you. It is a long-term undertaking to get used to a new way of life, contrasting social interactions, a distinctive food culture, etc. It requires time to get used to it all.

My personal experience

portait Alexandra Dobbs

Up to now, I have lived in 4 different countries, changed schools 8 times, travelled to more than thirty countries; I grew up in a bi-cultural family and my current home is tri-cultural. So I am well familiar with these questions of identity, adaptation and differences that are sometimes destabilizing, but once overcome can be tremendously rewarding!

As a hypnotherapist I can help you find your own way through.

More info about me

How to adapt to a new country?

The process of intercultural adaptation and the best-known description of the culture shock to which this may give rise have been described in recent decades as following a U-shaped curve. This approach has been fully theorized by J.S. Black and M.E. Mendenhall (1991). The U-curve theory is a series of four stages forming an adjustment curve in the form of a U which compares the degree of adaptation of the expatriate to the time spent by the latter in the host country. What they call “culture shock” is actually a transitional experience.

The 4 stages are:

Honeymoon: the expatriate will discover and marvel at everything around them;

Culture shock: differences between cultures are felt with a sense of anxiety and sometimes even rejection about the host country;

Adaptation: the expatriate will accept and adapt to changes;

Mastery: the expatriate is increasingly comfortable in their environment and has adapted to the local culture.

graph expat U curve cultural adjustment

How to overcome culture shock?

After a first period of  ”honeymoon” during which novelty, difference, strangeness and the unknown fascinate, it is not uncommon for the cultural shock to follow.  Gradually becoming aware of the contrasts that exist between his/her country of origin and the host country, the expatriate is exposed to situations that destabilize him/her. This occurs both in the professional and private sphere. A feeling of anxiety and disorientation can then settle in.

The person will begin to doubt their ability to cope with their new environment, to adopt a negative attitude towards the environment, difficulties and loss of points of reference. For some, anger, doubt, frustration, fear, loneliness will appear. Even minor problems can become sources of annoyance, frustration and loss of confidence. During this phase, the mood changes and the sociability of the person is affected, which can create a vicious circle.

Cultural differences then become overwhelming and increasingly present and stressful, especially because of the lack of understanding of the rules that could allow adjustment to the new culture. It is in such circumstances that hostility towards the host country and its population can sometimes develop. Misunderstandings hindering daily interactions appear as real obstacles. It is also the time when some people start feeling homesick.

When this phase starts lasting too long or creates too much suffering, it may be necessary to seek therapeutic counselling and support to get by it.

Getting therapeutic support with hypnosis and sophrology

Thanks to hypnosis and sophrology sessions you can learn to identify and cope with your emotions (fear, anger, anxiety, etc.), clarify your needs and desires in the context of expatriation, (re)activate your self-confidence, develop your capacity to adapt to new situations, etc.

Client feedback

"Stop smoking!"

By Bret

I have struggled for years to end the start-stop process of smoking. Willpower just wasn’t enough, and that is why I sought out Alexandra. Her calm and measured approach served me well. Two months on from my last session I feel well armed to fight and not give into temptation. I have broken the vicious cycle of failure.

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"Stress"

By Zahra

She gives very professional and good and cooperative really feel good after meeting her

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"a pleasure to entrust your child to Mrs. Dobbs"

By Maissoun AL-REFAI

It is a pleasure to entrust your child to Mrs. Dobbs. Professional and pleasant. Her work was a great success for my son. I was very reluctant at first with sophrology and thanks to her work he is making great progress, I strongly recommend her. Best wishes (posted on Google)

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