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Emigration Therapy for Families Living Apart

Emigration is more than a change of address, it reshapes identities, relationships, and emotional well-being. It touches everyone involved: those who leave and those who stay.

Often, the emotional consequences of emigration go unnoticed, surfacing in moments of grief, longing, or disconnection that may appear as anticipated loss before the move, or as delayed grief long after it.

Drawing on both research and lived empathy, my work supports individuals and families in finding understanding and belonging, no matter where in the world they are.

FROM BOTH SIDES

Why I Understand This Journey

Hi, I’m Sulette. I’m so glad you’re here. I know what emigration feels like because I’ve lived it from both sides: first as the emigrant starting fresh abroad and later as the one remaining at home.

Emigration touches everyone differently, and the challenges are real. My personal and professional experience allows me to help you uncover resilience, make sense of your emotions, and nurture connection across distance.

Why Emigration Therapy

Emigration therapy offers a safe space to explore these emotions, make sense of change, and rebuild a sense of meaning and connection.

I offer online therapy sessions for anyone affected by emigration:

WEIGHING WORLDS

Thinking About Emigrating

The decision to emigrate is a deeply personal and relational process, filled with questions about what might be gained and what could be lost. It's a time of mixed emotions—excitement and guilt, hope and hesitation. This is a space to explore the hopes and fears that make this journey uniquely your own.

REDEFINING HOME

The Journey of Living Abroad

Starting life abroad is both exhilarating and unsettling, mixing hope with homesickness and a longing for what was left behind. Migration changes more than your address—it reshapes your identity. Therapy offers a space to make sense of this complex experience and find a sense of home within yourself.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY

When Someone You Love Moves Away

When a loved one moves far away, pride and longing often coexist. You celebrate their journey while quietly grieving the simple moments you no longer share. This experience can create an invisible ache—a paradox of holding both their joy and your own sense of loss. Here, we can give voice to these complex feelings.

CLINICAL INSIGHTS

For Healthcare & Helping Professionals

As professionals, we often encounter the overlooked emotional complexities of migration in our clients, which can profoundly impact their well-being. I integrate research and practice to deepen this understanding, collaborating with practitioners through training and dialogue to enhance clinical care.

Blog

Insights into navigating loss and separation

Expert articles and tips to support your journey and understanding.

6 min

The profound challenges of emigration: Insights from South African families

Family relationships are fundamental to an individual’s well-being, shaping their experiences across their lifespan. The enduring bond between parents and children bridges generations, serving as a vital source of emotional and practical support throughout life’s journey.

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6 min

Ready to go see your family overseas? Here’s how to prepare

If your children and grandchildren have emigrated and now call a foreign country home, joining them for the holiday season might bring up mixed feelings.

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8 min

Die lewe van ʼn langafstandgrootouer

Hierdie artikel ondersoek die bittersoet ervaring van Suid-Afrikaanse grootouers wanneer kleinkinders oorsee gebore word. Dit delf in die komplekse emosies van vreugde, verlies en verlange wat deur ’n digitale skerm beleef word, en hoe geografiese afstand dwing dat die kosbare band tussen grootouer en kleinkind herdefinieer moet word.

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FAQs

Find answers to common queries about migration therapy and our services.

How do I schedule a therapy session?

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Ambiguous loss occurs when there is uncertainty about a loved one's status, such as when someone is physically present but mentally absent (due to conditions like Alzheimer's) or when they are physically absent (due to immigration or death) but remain emotionally significant. This type of loss is complex and can leave individuals feeling stuck in their grief.

What should I expect during my first therapy session?

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Ambiguous loss occurs when there is uncertainty about a loved one's status, such as when someone is physically present but mentally absent (due to conditions like Alzheimer's) or when they are physically absent (due to immigration or death) but remain emotionally significant. This type of loss is complex and can leave individuals feeling stuck in their grief.

Can I access therapy from anywhere in the world?

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Ambiguous loss occurs when there is uncertainty about a loved one's status, such as when someone is physically present but mentally absent (due to conditions like Alzheimer's) or when they are physically absent (due to immigration or death) but remain emotionally significant. This type of loss is complex and can leave individuals feeling stuck in their grief.

How can therapy help with ambiguous loss?

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Ambiguous loss occurs when there is uncertainty about a loved one's status, such as when someone is physically present but mentally absent (due to conditions like Alzheimer's) or when they are physically absent (due to immigration or death) but remain emotionally significant. This type of loss is complex and can leave individuals feeling stuck in their grief.

What is ambiguous loss?

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Ambiguous loss occurs when there is uncertainty about a loved one's status, such as when someone is physically present but mentally absent (due to conditions like Alzheimer's) or when they are physically absent (due to immigration or death) but remain emotionally significant. This type of loss is complex and can leave individuals feeling stuck in their grief.

Embrace change and thrive globally with expert support

Find the support you need to transition smoothly and achieve success in your new environment with professional guidance.