Depression

Understanding Depression

in Madrid, Spain With Expats In Therapy

Persisting sadness, inability to experience pleasure, lack of interest in people or activities, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, low energy levels, and thoughts of suicide.

Burnout and depression often present themselves together, but not necessarily. Symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, headaches.

It is important to be kind to yourself. It is not easy to feel depleted, and we often have a hard time accepting that we are going through a rough period. Focus your attention on what it is that you need, rather than what it is that you are failing at.

You are good enough.

You will need time to build a relationship with your therapist that will feel safe and comforting.

Shame disappears in safe spaces.

Approach

in Madrid, Spain With Expats In Therapy

Depression can be quiet.
It doesn’t always look like tears or staying in bed.
Sometimes it’s just not feeling much at all. A kind of flatness.
The sense that you’re going through the motions, but not really in your life.

You might feel:

Disconnected from yourself and others
Tired all the time, even when you’re sleeping enough
Like things that used to matter now feel distant or dull
Unable to explain what’s wrong—just that something isn’t right

In Gestalt therapy, we don’t treat you like a diagnosis.

We look at how your experience makes sense in the context of your life, your history, and your environment.
We pay attention to what’s been shut down, and gently explore what it might mean to feel more alive again—without forcing it.

Depression often comes with self-blame, shame, or the pressure to “get over it.”
But healing doesn’t happen through force.

It begins with making contact—with your feelings, your body, your unmet needs, and the parts of you that have gone quiet.

At Expats in Therapy, I offer individual therapy for depression in Madrid (or online) with a Gestalt perspective.

We’ll work at your pace, with care and curiosity—not solutions or slogans.

You don’t have to do it alone.
You just have to show up.

Depression in expats

Living abroad can make people more vulnerable to experiencing depression for a variety of reasons. First of all, when you leave loved ones behind, miss familiar routines, and grieve the life you left behind, it can make you feel a sense of loss and disconnection. This can greatly contribute to feelings of sadness and melancholy. Moreover, going through Cultural Adjustment can be extremely stressful as it entails learning a new language, adapting to social norms, and understanding customs.

This can often result in feelings of isolation and loneliness. In addition, when someone has to adjust to a new culture, it can sometimes lead to an Identity Crisis. This means that they may start to question who they are and where they fit in, which can make them feel empty and worthless. Moreover, expatriates often face practical challenges that can worsen their stress levels and contribute to the development of depression. These challenges include financial difficulties, concerns about visas, and difficulty finding employment. It's really important to offer expats personalized support and mental health resources because they have to deal with a lot of different stressors. These factors create a perfect storm for depression. If you're experiencing symptoms such as:

Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Fatigue or lack of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Suicidal thoughts or ideation

Seeking professional help for depression is a crucial step towards reclaiming one's mental well-being. Trained therapists provide invaluable support, guidance, and evidence-based treatments.

Frequently asked questions

I am trained as a Psychologist (Clinical) and as a Psychotherapist (Gestalt). Gestalt Psychotherapy is an existential form of therapy that focuses on the relationship between the client and the therapist. The Gestalt therapist works together with the client using what is happening between them in the here and now rather than what is being talked about. The emphasis is on what is being thought and felt at the present rather than what was, could or should be.

I work with my client to support nourishing contact, safety and more freedom in their lives. I work with people from all over the world. Some of the issues I have supported clients with are anxiety issues, depression issues, loss, bereavement, grief, divorce and other relationship issues, personality disorders, trauma, sexual trauma, childhood trauma, moving abroad, feeling stuck in one's job or and or life.

Education is the most important!

Look for a therapist that has specifically trained in being a therapist. A psychology degree is not enough! During my Bachelors and my Masters study, we trained in cognitively understanding the work. In my post MSc 4 year Gestalt Psychotherapy study, and all the trainings after that, I learned how to *do* the work.

Secondly, feel your way through the first session; trust your gut, you will know.

Lastly, choose someone whom you can commit to. A therapy trajectory is a relationship. You have to enjoy it (also when it's hard), and you have to feel connected to your therapist. They will become your "person".

Yes, I offer therapy services in English, as well as Romanian, Greek. I have a very good understanding of Dutch language and culture. I see people for Individual therapy in Madrid/ individual counselling in Madrid and couples therapy in Madrid/ couples counselling in Madrid. Providing English Therapy in Madrid is one of the reasons I relocated and established my Mental health services private practice in the centre of the city.

I am native in Greek and Romanian, and I have worked most of my career in English. I have lived in The Netherlands for 13 years, where I also studied in Dutch, so I am quite comfortable in my understanding of the language. During my early professional formation I also studied in Madrid, so I have a very good understanding of Spanish language.

Hard to tell, because it depends on your personal goal. I will give you my professional opinion after a first session, and we will often evaluate together. As a general idea:

Therapy duration varies depending on individual needs and goals. Individual therapy takes place once a week at the same time and place. It can be either:

short-term (usually 6 to 12 sessions) more structured and focused on solving the identified problem or situation.
long-term (lasting for several months) and sometimes even a few years.

I totally understand. It is expensive. The reason is that therapists have a lot of "invisible" costs". A therapist that is up to date and accountable, has

monthly supervision within a team that is privately paid,

regular private therapy themselves,

continuous trainings,

insurances,

marketing tools,

office rent,

professional registrations- to name a few.

To become a therapist I studied for 10 years, and after that, I continue participating in hundreds of hours of workshops and seminars, every year.

I work with a sliding scale. I am clear and transparent about how much I charge, feel free to contact me to enquire!

Ah, thats a difficult one for most! I truly believe and have experienced in my work, that the therapeutic relationship is beneficial for most clients. It depends on your connection with your therapist, and the process in which you are when you start therapy. Most people know by the end of the first session if they like their therapist, if they're someone that can trust and work with. I suggest to everyone that asks me this, to give it a go. We are luckily past the years were therapy was a taboo. The therapeutic relationship is a safe space, where you can grow, be challenged, be supported, explore, feel connected.

Also, if you're struggling with specific issues, don't hesitate to reach out. It is normal that as a client you cannot maybe imagine how therapy could be of support, but Therapists train for this. We know how to support you, in a way that is not immediately graspable. Some clear issues that can benefit from therapeutic interventions, are anxiety and panic attacks, depression, lack of energy and motivation, , trauma and traumatic experiences, sexual assault, or relationship issues. Therapy can provide valuable support and guidance. My practice is in the center of Madrid.

As an expat myself, I have a very good understanding of the specific nuances of the expat experience and provide multilingual therapy in Madrid. I have lived and worked abroad most of my adult life, with expats and with expat families. I am a third culture kid myself. I am very comfortable working multicultural and multilingually.

I use Gestalt Psychotherapy and have my private practice in Madrid.

Registrations

I am a member of EAGT, NVAGT, EAP and CRKBO

Depression

Frequently asked questions

What types of therapy do you offer?

How should I choose a therapist?

Can I have therapy in English?

How long does therapy typically last?

How do I schedule a therapy session?

Why is therapy so expensive? Where can I see how much you charge?

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Do you have experience in expat mental health?

Is therapy confidential?

Do you offer couples therapy?

What if I'm not sure what type of therapy I need?

Registrations

CONTACT