Studying abroad is an extraordinary opportunity — and an extraordinary challenge.
Psychology for International Students
You came here for an education. But nobody told you how much of your energy would go into simply surviving the experience — navigating a foreign city, making sense of a new academic system, building friendships from scratch in a language that may not be your own, and managing the quiet weight of being far from everything familiar.
International students face a unique combination of pressures that most of their peers — and many of their professors — do not fully see. Academic demands do not pause while you adjust. And the expectation to appear capable, confident, and fine can make it very hard to ask for help.
You do not have to manage this alone.
How we work
Therapy at Expat Psychologist is conducted one-to-one with a qualified, registered psychologist — in a language you feel comfortable in. We use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and other methods tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Sessions are available in person in Zurich, Zug, and Geneva — and online, which many students find more accessible alongside a busy academic schedule.
There is no waiting list. You can typically begin within days of contacting us.
A note on insurance
Many international student insurance plans cover psychological sessions. Our admin team is happy to help you understand your coverage and provide any documentation your insurer requires. Simply ask when you contact us.
Practical Information
📍 In person in Zurich, Zug, and Geneva — and online worldwide 💳 Reimbursable with most international student insurance plans ⏱ No waiting list
Part of the original Expat Psychologist practice, founded 2009.
What brings International students to us
Students come to us for many different reasons. Some are struggling with specific symptoms — anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, or difficulty concentrating. Others are simply overwhelmed and not sure where to start. All are welcome.
Common challenges we support international students with include:
- Academic stress, performance anxiety, and perfectionism
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and generalised worry
- Depression, low mood, and loss of motivation
- Homesickness and grief for the life and people left behind
- Identity questions — who am I when I am far from the context that shaped me?
- Cultural adjustment and the exhaustion of constant adaptation
- Loneliness and difficulty building meaningful connections
- Relationship difficulties — at home and in your new environment
- ADHD and concentration difficulties — particularly common in high-pressure academic settings
