Why In-Person Therapy Still Matters (Especially as Expats)

A client once told me the smell of our office reminded her of her childhood.

Another spotted a book in English in the waiting area and instantly felt more at ease.

One said she felt at home the moment she stepped inside — just because she didn’t have to explain herself in a different language.

These small moments may seem insignificant. But to us, they’re at the heart of why we created this space. They’re what we rarely talk about when it comes to therapy — especially for people living far from home:

The quiet power of being in a room that feels safe. A room that feels human. A room that feels like yours.

When we opened the Expat Couch office in Hamburg, we didn’t just want a place to work — we wanted a place people could walk into and feel held. A space that welcomes your story, your language, your pace.

Of course, therapy doesn’t always need to happen in a room. Online therapy has made support more accessible than ever, and we offer it too.

But over time, we’ve come to see that in-person therapy offers something uniquely powerful, especially for people navigating life away from home.

A note on language

We often use the word expat because it’s how many people find us — but the truth is, we work with people from all kinds of migration stories.

Whether you moved to Hamburg for work, love, studies, safety, or just a new chapter — you’re welcome here.

What matters to us isn’t the label. It’s your experience. And that you don’t have to go through it alone.

So why does in-person therapy still matter so much to us (and to our expats)?

1. A space you can return to

Therapy is more than a conversation — it’s a rhythm. Coming to a physical space each week creates a ritual, a small anchor in an often chaotic or unfamiliar world.

Especially when you're new to a country or city, having a consistent place that feels safe and familiar can offer a surprising sense of grounding.

2. The presence of another human, fully there

There’s something about sharing a room. The energy. The pauses. The eye contact. The non-verbal communication.

Clients have told us they felt understood the moment they walked through the door — because we spoke the same language, or simply because the space felt warm and human. That kind of moment doesn’t always require words. It just requires presence.

3. Emotional safety that’s hard to replicate online

Therapists talk about “holding space” — and while that can absolutely happen through a screen, in-person sessions offer a different kind of containment.

You don’t have to worry about someone overhearing in the next room. You don’t need to switch tabs or fix a frozen video. You just arrive, sit down, and be.

4. No one talks about this enough

There are so many directories and platforms advertising online therapy for expats — and many of them are doing great work. But very few talk about how precious and healing in-person therapy can be.

We're here to say it: It matters. The smell of the room, the walk to the office, the small ritual of sitting on the same couch week after week — these things carry weight. They build trust and connection over time.

5. We built this space for a reason

When we created Expat Couch, we didn’t want just a website or a listing on a directory. We wanted a real space. A place for people to land. A place for therapists to grow. A place where community could form — in chairs, rugs, books, tea cups, and shared conversations.

And now that it’s here, we’ve seen what it can hold.

6. It's not either/or

We continue to offer online therapy — for those traveling, in different cities, or who simply prefer it. But for those who long for in-person connection: our door is open.

You're welcome here

Whether you’re starting therapy for the first time, looking for a group, or just curious — we’d love to meet you.

In person.

In Hamburg.

On the couch.

Our Therapy Office in Hamburg