One-to-one coaching
Finding your place as an expat
Expat coaching in the Netherlands is a one-to-one conversation that helps you make sense of relocation and settle into your new home. It addresses the practical and emotional challenges of moving so you can build a life that feels like your own.
Who this is for
For professionals, partners, and parents who have recently moved to the Netherlands and feel unsettled, overlooked, or unsure how to rebuild a life that fits.
- Format
- Online, or in person across the Randstad
- Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 08:00 - 22:00 CET
- First step
- A free consultation, no obligation
You moved to the Netherlands because the opportunity made sense, or because someone you love needed to be here. But the move has left you feeling less steady than you expected. The directness at work can feel blunt, your career no longer reflects the experience you brought with you, and the people who used to know you are a flight away.
Coaching gives you a consistent space to make sense of that. We look at what relocation has actually changed for you, not what should be fine by now. I moved from London to the Netherlands in 2007, so I know how much of expat life is invisible to other people. Together we work through the practical and personal sides: Dutch systems, work identity, family, social connections, and the everyday confidence that goes quiet after a move.
What changes is usually quieter than a complete reset. You start to know what you want from your life here. You have a plan for the next few months that you can actually follow. You stop comparing your first year in the Netherlands to someone else’s tenth. You build a routine that feels like yours, not like a temporary arrangement.
Does this sound familiar?
You might recognise some of this
If more than one of these lands, this is usually the right place to start.
- You moved to the Netherlands for a job but the role feels smaller than before.
- Dutch directness at work leaves you second guessing what people actually mean.
- Your partner and children are settling in but you still feel like an outsider.
- You miss the support network you left behind and find weekends unexpectedly hard.
- You are managing the logistics of expat life but not the sense of belonging.
The work
What we work on together
01
Understanding your move
We look at what relocation has actually changed for you, at home and at work. I help you name the specific situations that drain your confidence.
02
Career and identity
We work through what you want from your career now you are here. That might mean rebuilding a professional identity, or accepting that your role has changed for a while.
03
Family and social life
We look at how your partner and children are finding their footing, and where you fit alongside that. You decide what support you need and how to ask for it.
04
Everyday confidence
We turn the Dutch systems and social habits that feel foreign into steps you can take. The goal is a routine that feels ordinary, not exhausting.
Outcomes
What you leave with
- A clearer picture of the life you want to build in the Netherlands.
- A practical plan for the next three months, with steps you can check off.
- Confidence to handle Dutch directness at work and in daily life.
- A sense of belonging that is based on your choices, not just your postcode.
How it works
Getting started
-
Free first consultation
You book a free consultation and we talk through what you want to work on, with no obligation.
-
Regular sessions
We meet one to one, in person across the Randstad or online, at a time that fits your day.
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Sessions in English
All sessions are run in English, Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 22:00 CET.
In their words
What people say
I was torn between two job opportunities and felt stuck. Louisa helped me explore my values, priorities, and long-term goals, bringing clarity to the decision. With her guidance, I chose the role that aligns best with my aspirations, making the process far more manageable.
As a Director of Technology, I initially led with a technical, performance-driven style. Louisa’s coaching helped me trust my team, delegate effectively, and foster engagement. By shifting my mindset, I now lead with confidence, balancing strategy and team development, transforming both my leadership and team performance.
Questions about finding your place as an expat
Still unsure whether this is the right fit? Ask directly. A short call usually settles it faster than a brochure.
Ask a question- Do you coach in person or online?
- I coach both in person and online. In person, I see clients across the Randstad: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague, Haarlem, Leiden, and Almere. Online sessions work worldwide. The free first consultation can be either.
- How is this different from therapy?
- Coaching is not therapy. Therapy often works with mental health conditions and the past. My coaching focuses on the present and the practical choices you can make to settle into your life in the Netherlands.
- Do you offer couples or family coaching?
- No, I only offer one-to-one coaching. If your partner or a family member wants support, they would book separately. This keeps the focus on your own experience of the move.
- What happens in the first free consultation?
- In the first free consultation, you tell me what prompted you to look for coaching and what you hope will change. I explain how I work and answer any questions. Together we decide whether this is a good fit.
- What qualifications do you have?
- I hold ICF ACC Level 1 and PCC Level 2 certifications, and I am a Certified Practitioner and Advanced NLP coach with Richard Bandler. I also trained in life, motivational, social and emotional coaching with INEMLA, and I hold a degree from Bournemouth University. I have 25 years in learning and development and 10 years coaching.
- Do you coach in English only?
- Yes, all sessions are in English. Dutch directness and Dutch systems are part of what we work on, so you do not need to speak Dutch to benefit. If English is not your first language either, we can still work together as long as you feel comfortable in English.
Related reading
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Can Coaching Help With Family Dynamics? Improving Relationships at Home
Family relationships form the foundation of our emotional lives, yet they can be sources of both profound joy and complex challenges.
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Can Coaching Help With Job Search Success? Tips and Strategies
In today's competitive job market, finding your ideal role can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
-
Online Coaching vs. In-Person Coaching: Which is Better?
The life-changing decision to work with a coach isn't the final choice you'll make on your personal development journey.
Other ways coaching helps
The first conversation is free
If finding your place as an expat is what you are dealing with, start with a conversation. No obligation, and no charge.