CULTIVATE HEALTH
Expat Therapy and Coaching
Hi, I’m Matt.
For the last twenty years I’ve lived abroad in the United States, Qatar, Ecuador, China, and Azerbaijan, each time as a trailing spouse. Living overseas has brought me opportunities and adventures I could not have had at home. However, I have faced many struggles reestablishing myself and finding a new purpose with each move. I've learned first-hand how relocation can challenge identity, belonging, confidence, purpose, and the roles we hold within relationships and family life. My experience, study, and research has led me to want to help others navigating change work towards embracing their new home and rediscovering themselves through what can be a challenging time.
My academic work has focused on expat identity, adjustment, and the psychological impact of major life transitions. My BSc research explored how non‑working expat spouses find purpose and belonging after relocation and coping strategies they use to mitigate challenges. More recently I examined my own experience as a trailing spouse and how masculine expectations and social pressures shape the way I dealt with change and understood my own identity in unfamiliar roles and environments.
Clinically, I’ve worked within the NHS, mental health charities, and school counselling settings, supporting individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Across these roles, I’ve seen the same core themes emerge: the need for belonging, the search for purpose, and the desire to understand and be accepted for who we truly are.
My approach blends psychotherapy and psychology with behavioural change principles, helping people explore identity, navigate transitions, and build habits that support emotional resilience and personal growth.
Wondering if this is right for you? Start with a free chat.
It's a chance to tell me what's going on, ask anything you like, and see whether working together feels right. No pressure and no commitment.
Book a free call
Or email me at matt@cultivatehealth.co.uk