Meet Fiona
Moving across borders is rarely just a change of address—it is a complete recalibration of who you are, how your relationships function, and where you find ground to stand on.
I am a licensed professional counselor with a Master’s in Professional Mental Health Counseling. Before relocating to the Netherlands in early 2026, I spent over a decade supporting clients through schools, non-profit community mental health, and my own private practice in the United States. I bring both that clinical foundation and deep personal perspective into our sessions, offering you a steady, grounded space to process transitions, identity shifts, and the quiet exhaustion of starting over.
A Life Lived Between Cultures
My understanding of international transitions is both professional and deeply personal. Born in the United States to a German mother and an American father, I moved to Germany following my parents' divorce and lived there until I was seventeen. Returning to the U.S. as an older teen to finish school and attend college was a profound transition that shaped my understanding of identity and what it truly means to find "home."
Now, having moved back across the Atlantic to settle in Haarlem, I have come full circle. I know firsthand that moving abroad is not just a change of location—it is a total recalibration of who you are.
The Complex Reality of a Blended Family
This time around I didn't make this move alone. I relocated with my young son and am part of a blended family of six. My own family's journey involves the delicate balance of having children in different countries—some who have made the move with us, and others who remain in the States.
I personally understand the "heart-split" that occurs when your roots remain in one country while you are building a future in another. Whether you are navigating the joys and stressors of parenting in a new culture or managing the emotional weight of relationships left behind, I know that the world does not stop moving for others just because you have moved away.
Navigating the Transition Together
I know the exhaustion of the "clearing house" phase, the bittersweet goodbyes, and the disorientation of learning new school systems, unspoken social rules, and unfamiliar routines. My therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded—helping you sift through the noise so you can reconnect with your own values and goals beneath the stress.
In our work together, we can focus on:
Identifying the Overwhelming: Pinpointing where you feel lost and identifying any old patterns that are (re-)emerging under the stress of the move.
Cultural Adaptation: Navigating the anxiety of learning new schedules, communication styles, and the "unwritten rules" of a new country.
Family Connection: Helping you and your family find genuine connection and stability throughout the upheaval.
Have Questions?
Send me a quick note, and we can set up a time to chat about how I can help.