How to Prepare for a Successful Move Abroad: A psychologist’s take on navigating fear and the unknown with Dr. Colleen Crowley

Today’s guest brings both heartfelt wisdom and hard-won experience to one of life’s biggest transitions: moving abroad.

Dr. Colleen Crowley is a psychologist, expat, and global traveler who has spent the last 30 years living around the world—while also raising a family and supporting others through major life changes. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience, she now helps individuals and families navigate the emotional and logistical complexities of starting a new life overseas.

In this episode, Dr. Crowley shares her personal journey from California to Spain with her children, her mother, and the family dog, as well as the mindset shifts that made it possible. We talk about the realities of expat life beyond the Instagram highlights: the identity changes, the emotional toll, and the surprising growth that can come from doing something bold and unfamiliar.

We cover:

• What it takes to emotionally prepare for an international move

• How to manage fear, uncertainty, and big emotions

• Tips for moving as a family

• The power of community, communication, and mindset

• Why living abroad can be both transformative and healing

If you’ve been dreaming of life abroad but feel overwhelmed by the unknowns, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, informed, and inspired to take the next step.

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Connect with Dr Colleen Crowley

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