Mental health services and American expatriates

Abstract

Although American expatriation is becoming increasingly more prevalent, research has yet to keep up. The purpose of this report is to explore expatriation transition models, common mental health needs, challenges that accompany international living, clinical implications of such complexities, and the need for mental health services for American expatriates. A case study will be employed to illustrate such challenges. Social learning, symbolic interaction, and systems theories will be used to conceptualize these difficulties. With the large movement of Americans overseas, there is an increase need for mental health therapists available to them. This report acknowledges that an increase of expatriate research will lead to resources that will help therapists more effectively and more efficiently treat expatriate mental health issues.