Podcast host, Kate Galloway is joined by her husband to talk about their personal and professional experiences as expats.

In this episode we discuss our second move, which was from Scotland to Dubai, UAE.

We share that the move happened due to industry uncertainty and the need for job security. We talk about how our networks have been important for our international moves. We talk about uncertainty that surrounded us and uncertainty that we created.

In this episode your host Kate speaks with Edita Petojevic about the foundations of a relationship and how they are so important to the success of expat life. Edita introduces her unique approach to "the Basketball Court' and how this can be a useful aide and visual for couples to understand each other's needs.

Edita and Kate discuss the foundation, taking individual responsibility, getting your voice heard and how to make space for your partner. Edita shares tips for expat couples and explains how prevention is key. Listening to this episode you will also hear about how people decide that seeking professional support is right for them and what they might experience on that journey.

About our guest:

Psychologist & Psychotherapist with 15 years of clinical experience. Edita guides individuals, couples & groups through the process of psychotherapy by identifying the cause of the problem, by resolving and accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. The main goal is to guide individuals back to their authentic self and to support them in regaining a sense of meaning & authenticity in their close relationships.

Edita strongly believes that; 

1: All healthy and longlasting relationships are based on congruence and empathy. 

2: All human beings have an inner potential to self-actualize. 

Edita has lived in seven countries and has had the chance to meet and work with various people from all over the world. These experiences and interactions with different cultures have broadened her views and helps her to open up for a better and deeper understanding of life. She offers a therapeutic path in three different languages, from an empathic and greater cultural understanding, which gives her the opportunity to reach a vast amount of people. 

Edita is trained and experienced in treatment of most concerns including but not limited to anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, emotional and physical abuse, trauma and alcohol and drug addictions. 

Edita sees the person as a whole (mind, body & spirit) and uses this integrative approach to help one connect with oneself and begin to heal. Having been trained in three different therapeutic methods, Person Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allows Edita to meet and help clients based on each individual circumstance and each individual need. She is further trained in the methods of CFT, ACT and trauma treatment.

In part 1 of a short series, my husband Iain and I talk about first transition abroad.

Notwithstanding that we could not recall how long we had been married, this was a nice conversation to have. We spoke about the elements we did not know about and did not know in that first transition. Whilst we supported each other, we did not challenge each other in our thinking or our knowledge and we did not advocate for ourselves. The learnings:

• Challenge each others thinking
• Ask more questions
• Have career conversations at work and at home
• Advocate for yourself in the couple and at work

Enjoy the show!