Lo que mis Clientas están Diciendo

Testimonios de clientas que han trabajado conmigo y ahora disfrutan de la vida internacional que han elegido

***Para proteger la privacidad de mis clientas, les pido sus testimonios con sólo 3 datos básicos: nombre de pila, país de origen y país de acogida***

I sought counseling with Gabriela because I am an expat who was diagnosed with a rare Stage 4 cancer (there’s currently no cure) a few months after moving abroad. In my journey, I’ve reached a place where I needed help and insight as to how to accept my chronic illness so I can live the best life possible now that I’ve had to pivot my expectations as to what my life overseas looks like.

I’m very open and really had no concerns about working with Gabriela as I wear my heart on my sleeve. My biggest appeal to working with her was her knowledge of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Perhaps, my biggest concern was how she’d be able to help me to apply this approach to my situation. However, I soon realized that ACT therapy is transferable to any situation – big or small.

During our time together, I took away useful tools and strategies that have helped (and continue to help) me get through the grey I’m experiencing so that I can fully reach acceptance. This is far from an overnight process, but I feel working with Gabriela has been a good launch pad to get me where I want (and deserve) to be. 

Gabriela is excellent at connecting the dots, goal-oriented, accessible, and compassionate. Regardless of your struggle – big or small – Gabriela is a great counselor to help you get where you want to be! 

M

US Expat living in Spain

I knew from the very beginning that working with Gabriela will help me. During our first session she outlined briefly what the sessions would look like and when she mentioned homework my inner nerd immediately thought: yesss, this is the right person for me 😊

I decided to seek help due to missing my home country a lot and anxiety connected with it. I found it quite surprising as I had lived in the UK for more than three years before meeting Gabriela and I had never experienced anxiety connected with it. Gabriela during the first two sessions helped me discover that the anxiety is actually connected with my relationship rather than being an expat and, as a result, I was able to make really crucial decisions in my life and I will be forever grateful for Gabriela’s help.

During the sessions we focused on discussing my family background, my relationships and my values. This last bit I found extremely helpful as it allows me to live the life I want to be truly happy with what I have. What really worked for me in terms of the practicalities is a clear plan of what we are going to do long term but also during each sessions, a clear structure of them and the work I had to do after each session.

Being an expat can be a wonderful and rewarding experience but it can also be really difficult and we should definitely talk about it more, especially the difficult parts. That’s why I think what Gabriela is doing is extremely important and I would recommend her to everyone who wants to find home within themselves.

Marta

Polish Expat living in the UK

I am so glad I had the opportunity to speak with Gabriela after attending the Language and Mental Wellness Conference. I am currently at the fork in the road with one path leading to expat life. I knew I needed to speak with someone who could both listen and respond to my thoughts without judgment.

Gabriela is both patient and professional. She helped me think through my thoughts on expat life in a way that was both challenging and motivating. She used her expertise to not only listen but also respond with clear insight into the possibilities and realities of becoming an expat. She also equipped me with tools and a perspective that helped me better understand my life now and what I plan for the future. She asked me hard questions that *needed* to be asked in order for me to realize “how” and “why” I want to pursue expat life.

For anyone who is strongly considering expat life, I would highly recommend Gabriela without hesitation.

Gabrielle

Soon-to-be Expat from the US

I decided to contact Gabriela because I needed someone outside my immediate circle to talk to. I was feeling overwhelmed but felt I had to show a brave, “strong face” to those around me. I also wanted a professional opinion on what I was experiencing.

I suppose I was concerned that I wouldn’t be understood, or that I had such big problems that I needed serious help. But instead Gabriela not only heard and understood me, she was so encouraging as she helped me name what I was experiencing and see that I was not a strange, hopeless case. I learnt to accept my emotions, stop hiding them from myself or others, and to be kinder to myself.

Gabriela has also helped me see the value in being vulnerable in front of my closest friends and family, and not be afraid to show them and tell them when I am struggling. In a special way, this past year I have been able to have much deeper conversations with some friends who are also going through difficult times – all because I was open to share my own challenges and experiences with them first.

I was so happy to find a therapist that speaks English, and understands my unusual life journey! The fact that all her sessions are online means you can have your sessions with her even when you are travelling, or stuck at home in quarantine. And meeting with her online doesn’t even feel like we are in two different countries – she is warm and engaging and easy to talk to. I would really recommend Gabriela as a therapist to expat women in any season of their lives.

Tanya

South African Expat living in Germany

I had been feeling a deep sadness in the previous months and I couldn’t quite figure out why. My attempts of “self-coaching” were not showing any improvement. And even though I was surrounded by my loved ones, I felt disconnected, misunderstood and lonely.

Having met Gabriela at a virtual coffee a few months earlier, I knew the chemistry was good and following her on Social Media reinforced my first impression that she really knows what she’s doing. Her qualifications and experience as a psychologist plus her first-hand expat experiences are an excellent mix. I loved to be able to switch back and forth between my three main languages: German, English and Spanish – no big deal for her, she knows them all!  I knew she was the only one I wanted to work with.

Sessions with Gabriela were a true revelation from day one. I had big aha moments, made lots of progress and also a few steps backwards. Knowing that she was always “by my side” and I could text her anytime, gave me strength and made me feel safe at all times. Gabriela applied the principles of ACT, explaining every step of the way and guided me through difficult situations from my daily life. With the tools I learned, I feel very equipped to continue on my own. I am deeply grateful for Gabriela’s guidance and can highly recommend working with her.

Wiebke

German (multiple) Expat and Repat

I had really been struggling with anxiety and guilt about living abroad, and though I had tried therapy locally I felt that what I really needed was to talk with someone who had an understanding of what it means to be an expat and the challenges that come along with that.

I found Gabriela via a Google search and I am SO glad that I did – she is warm and friendly and understanding, and not only does she really “get” expat struggles, but she also has many concrete solutions and recommendations to offer that I have found so helpful in every aspect of my life. Sometimes it really felt like she knew me better than I knew myself!

She has helped me feel more confident in my decisions, more accepting of my own emotions, and more empowered to live the life that is right for me, and I would recommend her to anyone living abroad who needs a boost or some support in working through whatever challenges they are experiencing.

Christina

US Expat living in Austria

There wasn’t only a reason why I wanted to work with Gabriela. I wanted to explore what was to be an expat after many years living abroad. Anxiety and covid worries were very high at that time for me. I knew it was time to take care of my mental health and do something for myself and to work with someone that could relate with my experiences was a must.

Our work together has changed me in may ways I cannot begin to explain. The tools she shared helped me to change my perspective on rage and guilt and has lead me to be more gentle and merciful with myself. To hold myself and my feelings accountable. They all have something to say. My anxiety levels are very much controlled and acknowledged now.

‘Put a Gabriela in your life’ that’s all what I would say. I love there is as much space for laughs and tears in her sessions; the honesty and truth coming from her. Knowing she is available in between sessions via mail or wassap makes me feel held and safer. I am surprised how amazing is to be in different parts of the world and so close at the same time.

Elidia

Spanish Expat living in Ireland

Thinking, thinking and more thinking about what to do next in my life. I was going in circles, with family guilt and obligations weighing down. I knew I wanted to move back to Spain, but what about our family duties?

Finally, I decided I had to dive in and address these emotions. What a growing experience! Gabriela really is easy to talk to, she helped me be aware of my feelings… repeatedly, she is so easy to relate to, and we worked very well together. I love her links to readings, her workshop on guilt that I took as well was so productive.

Honestly, I highly recommend her. Give it a try! Make it your gift to yourself!

Marta

Soon-to-be Expat in Spain, from the US

After six years of living, working, and founding a family in a Central American country, I had difficulties with the transition back to my home country. I was suffering from anxiety and stress; our family life was out of balance, and I felt strange, alone, and out of place in my old hometown. I was looking for support to manage this difficult time more proactively. I found Gabriela and was immediately interested in her expertise in working repats combined with her experience as a licensed psychologist and expert in ACT.

The work with Gabriela helped me to navigate the transition time without compromising my mental health. Knowing that repats pass for different phases in the transition back home helped me to better understand and accept what was happening to me and my family. The work with her also helped me to focus and prioritize on my personal well-being in a time where everything else seemed to be urgent and in need of attention. She introduced me to different tools that helped me change how I was approaching stress and conflict. I really liked the idea behind ACT and the tools that still help me to center myself when I feel anxiety.

I definitely recommend Gabriela for anybody who is looking for support in difficult time of transition and change. She is a really nice and understanding person with a lot of expertise in coaching repats. She is always asking the right questions and knows how to make you reflect differently on your problems. I learned a lot in the sessions with her and still refer to the tools she taught me.

Anna

Former Expat in Central America, Repat in Germany

I reached out to Gabriela because I was struggling with unresolved issues in my family back home. Thanks to her I learned to let go of this yearning to see the issues in my family resolved and I can finally start to see how this is not about me, but about them. I can now start to focus on what is within my control while moving forward, trying to keep my family in my life and keeping the peace, while at the same time protecting myself and respecting my boundaries.

I absolutely recommend Gabriela! She is both a warm and friendly person, who allows you to be vulnerable and release your emotions, and she will not hesitate to confront you with uncomfortable truths in order to help you move forward. I am a different person than I was before we started working together!

Annelies

Belgian Expat living in France

​I have been working with Gabriela since August 2020 and my experience with her has been wonderful. I came to her for help regarding dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as she had been recommended to me through a friend. Since that time she and I have been meeting every other week and, in less than a year, I can confidently say I now enjoy a level of mental freedom I had not had in a long time.

Gabriela is very patient and kind, and she has, from day one, always allowed for our appointments to be a safe space where I can be myself, cry and laugh when needed. She has also given me some great tools to help me handle anxious thinking. In addition, Gabriela is always available on text should I need to ask her any questions or need support with processing repetitive mental thoughts or anxiety. I highly and happily recommend her services to any and all!

Maria

Spanish Expat living in the United States

I reached out to Gabriela after a big crazy relocation (unforeseen due to COVID disruption) and I was feeling really out of my depth, especially when it came to processing change and thinking through my social connections and skills. Gabriela helped me identify a structure of meaning and clarity to process and reach out to others and suggested clear simple steps outside my comfort zone to arrive at my goal of support and stability. I recommend working with Gabriela as her kind, warm, effective manner was exactly what I needed.

Esther

Ugandan Expat living in England

Cuando decidí iniciar mi proceso de coaching, elegí a Gabriela porque buscaba alguien que fuera psicóloga y coach, pero además me sentí identificada con su historia.
Cuando la conocí, a lo largo de las sesiones, pudimos conectar muy bien a través de su calidez, sentido del humor y profesionalismo.
Me ayudó enormemente a poner en marcha mi emprendimiento, donde venia muy trabada, y a repensarme en otros ámbitos.
¡Estoy feliz de haberla encontrado!
Laura

Expat Argentina en China

I’m a new person, and I’m not exaggerating. For me, it is a before and after Gabriela. I contacted her in a desperate state, and she helped me collect the pieces and start to build my new powerful, confident, and resourceful me. Every session, every audio, every email, all of it helped me to be where I am now. By accepting the whole me (especially my negative emotions, now I am a big fan of all of them!) now I’m finally (after 5 years!!!!) enjoying my expat life. The “I don’t have to do anything” mantra is staying with me forever.
Thank you Gabriela, we are definitely staying in touch!

Leslie

German Expat living in Chile.

It isn’t easy to summarize how Gabriela’s program have helped me. I still remember our first meeting and although I knew her from her Instagram posts and youtube videos, seeing her “live” was even better. She had me at “I’ll be with you through the whole process”. And indeed she was. My life abroad has improved in so many ways! I found empathy, a clear procedure, concrete steps and easiness. We laughed in every session, even when I was feeling awful, she managed to bring a smile to my face. Everything went so smoothly! She really listens and adapted her strategy and homework to my needs.
She is your person if you are an expat and struggling with your life abroad. She is your person, believe me.

Sandra

Portuguese Expat living in Austria

Gabriela truly provided me life-changing advice and support, and the progress I made between our first and 8th session was tremendous. When I first arrived in my host country, I was overwhelmed, lost, lonely, self-conscious, and discovered sides of myself that I had never explored in the past. I felt a massive handicap and the mountain to climb was too steep. I was seconds away from giving up and returning “home” when I met Gabriela. From our very first session, I appreciated her proactive approach. She taught me ways of identifying my feelings, reframing my thoughts and controlling my mind. Gabriela’s approach was structured, methodical, and surprisingly practical. She taught me a lot about psychology, the human brain and CBT, but always with simplicity, incredible humour and positivity. Session after session, I started feeling truly enlightened and empowered. I had fewer and fewer moments of weakness and I started consciously feeling happy regularly. We worked on areas of personal and professional life. Through our sessions, homework and exercises, Gabriela gave me the tools to lay healthy foundations and communication in a relationship. I feel more serene and confident than ever. I landed a dream job in an unexpected place and time, and I give very big credit to Gabriela’s support and advice in the entire process. I am immensely grateful.

Aurore

French Expat living in Japan

If I could use just one word to describe my sessions with Gabriela, I would say “transformative”. I reached out to her because I had been experiencing episodes of intense loneliness for two years living as an expat. I didn’t realise that there was so much more underlying this feeling. Gabriela helped me to identify these issues and gave me pragmatic strategies for addressing them. Since our sessions, I have not felt this horrible loneliness, and the main thing that has changed in my life is me and my attitude. I highly highly recommend Gabriela if you need help and guidance for whatever you are going through as an expat. She is easy to talk to, incredibly supportive (especially with her outside-of-sessions availability), and highly professional.

Lauren

New Zealander Expat living in Austria

Conocí a Gabriela a través de redes sociales y la contacté porque noté en su perfil que se especializaba en “Expat Coaching” y sentía que necesitaba una guía profesional que me ayude a enfrentar y entender nuevas situaciones que me encontraba experimentando. Gabriela me ha ayudado a enfrentar situaciones difíciles y a reconocer aspectos positivos de vivir en otro país. Es una persona muy profesional que genera confianza desde el primer momento. Las sesiones me han ayudado a enfocarme en mi vida actual y a aceptar mejor el presente que estoy viviendo. La recomendaría sin dudarlo.

Gabriela

Expat Ecuatoriana viviendo en España

I never thought that coming back home, the home I knew and missed, was going to be so difficult. A very dear friend recommended Gabriela. After the sessions we had together, I felt ready to face and enjoy my repatriate life. I loved our work together, especially how direct and straight forward she is, never letting me stay in the victim role and motivating me to take action and see how all the tools and strategies she gave had an impact on how I see my life and myself. Above all, she showed me and made me understand that I had it all in me … just needed to be asked and ask the right questions. The answers were within me!
I can’t stress enough how much I recommend her!

Lucía

Former Expat in Germany, Repat in Mexico.

Gabriela supported me not only in reaching my long term goals but was by my side when I was struggling with new challenges and complications. Today, I feel way more confident with my capabilities and can handle stressful situations with new confidence. Doing sessions online is great  because it’s easy to integrate them into my daily routine, no matter where I am.

Frederike

German Expat living in Spain

Soon after arriving, I felt demotivated because I didn’t have the life I expected. I contacted Gabriela and began to unravel my head, became aware of my decisions, observed, rediscovered the strengths that I developed as a result of the many battles I won over the years. Gabriela showed me that everything was there.  The whole process was very professional, I am eternally grateful.

Patricia

Chilean Expat living in Spain

Gabriela is as she said in her introduction positive, honest, straight-forward and very professional. She comes to point and finds out what is really going on. First skeptically about the online sessions, I am now happy about the flexibility and how good it works. With the help of Gabriela, I have challenged difficult situation and feel now stronger and way more confident.

Pia

German Expat living in Finland