1-FOCUS Modules for Spousal Support

Pre-Move Coaching

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Situation: The coaching sessions are tailored to the individual needs of the client (soon to be Expat). While there are host of topics that may be covered the choice is determined by they client. Assistance in Preparing for the new environment and “Letting Go” of the old environment, neighbors, friends, business associates, relatives, and so on.

With moving at the horizon, often fears and long-hidden emotional issues come to the surface. People know that they are facing a major change in their lives. All that is familiar is about to change; everything from their professional lives to family life is in flux; their normal patterns are broken and their sense of security is often shaken. Their social net and their established roles within the present community are left behind. This “Death of Relationships” is a main stressor for expatriates. Additionally, there is often a foreboding sense of the unknown triggering insecurities beginning to form. While the concept of moving is exciting for many, the realities are emotionally stressful. This adds lots of pressure on the whole family (66% of expats have children between 5 and 12 years old and most have dual career spouses). Spousal relationships begin to experience strain. The trailing partner often is left with tying up the loose ends and family matters.

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Benefits:
Pre-Move Coaching can help make the transition to a new location an exciting adventure with lots of personal learning along the way. Our clients, gain support that will helps them ease the feelings associated with the unknown and leaving “everything” behind. It will help people to see the move as a chance for new experiences and to broaden their view outward into what they would like to do in the new environment.

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Arrangement:
A package of 10 telephone-coaching sessions(45 min. to 1 hour), plus email support by qualified ICF certified coaches. We recommend the process begins three months before the scheduled move and may extend into the first month after the move to the new location. Package price is 1750 Euro.

Post-Move Coaching

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Situation: After settling in at the new location, accompanying spouses find they have more time to think about themselves and what they want. Simply, they have time on their hands. The major distractions and responsibilibilies—getting kids into the right schools, finding a place to live, unpacking, etc. are done and the question begins to loom: Now what do I do with myself? Maybe some sightseeing? Then, what? Deeper questions soon arise: Who am I?, What are my roles? What gives me joy? What do I need to feel happy? Why don’t I feel like I fit in?

Often post-move depression begins to form about 1 to 3 months after the move and becomes more apparent by 6 months or so if no support is given to help work through these issues.

Expats families left alone in this situation will often face hard times in their partnership. Because often it´s the trailing spouse who is confronted with basic questions of self-esteem, lack of direction and insecurity. Whereas the working partner concentrates on establishing him- or herself in the new company world, finds it easier to build a social system around the work environment and, for the most part, has a new structure in place for them. The trailing spouse is often faced with issues not unlike, through more extensive than, a long-term employee experiences after being layoff.

Service: Post-move Coaching helps clients develop clarity of what they want in their lives and develop a plan to reach their new goals, while have an outlet to talk about their issues and feel supported. Our tailored program may include visioning, goal setting, provide stress management exercises, clarifying needs and assist them in finding workable solutions. We help our clients determine their transferable skills, create a desirable picture of the future and a strategy and support to reach their goals. In this way, our clients regain stable grounding, a sense of control of their lives and joy.
Clients may opt to expand this process into career counseling, work-life balance issues and others.

Arrangement: A package of 10 telephone-coaching sessions(45 min. to 1 hour), plus email support by qualified ICF certified coaches. We recommend that the process begins three months after the scheduled move and extend over the next three months. Follow-on packages may be arranged for on-going support.
Package price is 1750 Euro.