We are here, too - on mental health abroad Francesca Lo Verso

Ever found yourself in a foreign land, feeling the weight of solitude pressing down on you? My journey through the highs and lows of living abroad brought me face to face with the challenges of cultural adjustments and finding a place of belonging. In our latest discussion, I share the realities of navigating loneliness and stress in a new country. With the aid of therapy and self-care, I've learned to combat these feelings and want to offer you the same sense of hope and connection I've found. Whether it's the emotional toll of personal safety or the impact of social media on our lives, this episode peels back the layers of what it truly takes to maintain bonds with loved ones and cultivate new ones.

This conversation isn't just about sharing struggles; it's about equipping you with the tools to thrive amidst them. Grounding techniques, such as naming objects around you or holding something heavy, can be incredibly effective reminders that you're safe and present. You'll come away with practical strategies to ground yourself in the now, the importance of self-care, and how to open yourself up to the possibility of connection, wherever you may be. 
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

This episode was a long one coming, and I hope it invites you to extend curiosity to those experiences that are often at the edge of our life abroad. 

If you want to deepen some of the topics discussed in this episode, I would recommend:

Hard truth 1: S3E2: People-pleasing abroad: maintaining identity amidst cultural adaptation

Hard truth 2: S1E2: Unpacking culture shock and S1E12: Tapping into your power

Hard truth 3: S1E8: Remember your why

Let me know what you think of this episode!
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

Have you ever pondered where you truly belong? This week, I invite you on a heartfelt exploration of 'home' and belonging as we unravel how our sense of place shapes our mental landscape. We will venture through Scottish (and Northern European) folklore, where personal tales of finding comfort in the unfamiliar intertwine with the collective experiences of those who've ventured far from their birthplaces. We delve into the notion that 'home' transcends mere geography, morphing into the relationships we cherish or the inner sanctuary we cultivate.

This episode mentions:
- the tale of the Seal-Woman (known as Selkie, here in Scotland)
- the book "Women who run with the wolf" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

In this episode, we also draw parallels with the poignant folktale of the Selkie—a seal woman caught between two worlds. As we traverse her story, themes of societal expectation, identity, and the courage to reclaim one's intuitive self emerge, echoing many women's struggles. Selkie's tale becomes a powerful metaphor, not just for women but for anyone wrestling with the duality of where they are and where they feel they should be. So, come along and find companionship in our shared search for the places and spaces where we feel most at home.
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

Edit: I've just realised I opened this episode saying, "In Season 4 Episode 1", when I actually meant "Season 1 Episode 4".

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Have you ever felt the weight of guilt gnawing at you physically while living miles away from home?

This episode peels back the layers to reveal how guilt triggers neural networks, stirs muscle tension, disrupts our digestive and respiratory systems, and hijacks our emotional well-being. You'll discover the science behind these physical reactions and understand why your body might respond with fight, flight, freeze, or fawn strategies when guilt's grip tightens.

If you want to read more about the somatics of guilt, you may find this scientific article interesting. 

Previous episode on guilt: S1E4: Why am I feeling this guilty?
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

In today's episode, I talk about people pleasing when living abroad and how it may take 
on the role of integrating us into the new country.

Transitioning to life in a new country comes with its own emotional rollercoaster, a journey that many of us know all too well. This episode addresses the fine line between adapting and losing oneself. With heartfelt stories and practical advice, today's episode is a message of hope for those balancing the desire to please with the courage to stand firm in one's own story.

And for those interested in Gabor Maté's quote, it was taken from "The myth of normal": “Most people abandon their true selves (authenticity) to please others and keep the relationships (attachments), even if they are ones that are toxic and destructive.”"
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

Emerging from a long hiatus, I, Francesca, return to the microphone with a tale that resonates deep within the heart of anyone who's ever found themselves rooted in foreign soil. This episode peels back the layers of identity shaped by the lands we call home and the internal tug-of-war between assimilation and authenticity. 

This conversation is a gentle nudge to embrace the richness of our heritage and the unique stories it weaves into our lives. It's about finding strength in our foreignness, allowing the cultural friction to propel us toward growth rather than erode our sense of self. Join me as we tenderly nurture our foreign identities and celebrate the diversity they bring to the tapestry of life.

Two questions lie behind it all: how much of me am I willing to sacrifice to adapt? For how long am I going to hide the pain behind the quest for adaptation?

If you want to hear more about this topic:
S1E3: Lost and found, in search of self
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We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.

We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!

Host and editor: Francesca Lo Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: info@francescacounselling.com

Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.com
IG: @delasre_draws

Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San