Elena Darmenko

Expat Psychotherapist

Expat Psychotherapist with 16 Years of Experience in Foreign Relations and 5,000 Hours of Psychological Counseling

Welcome to my practice! I am Elena Darmenko, Expat Psychotherapist and Adaptation Strategist from Russia and I help other internationals adjust to the new country, relationship changes, individual past, present and future challenges.

My educational background includes a completed degree in Psychology from the State Academic University of Humanitarian Sciences and post-graduate degree in Professional Adaptation of Staff of International Organizations from the Diplomatic Academy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. I am a Cognitive Behavior and Art therapist.


I currently hold memberships in the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) , International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP), International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) Families in Global Transition (FIGT).

I'm also featured in the International Therapist Directory.

The globalization gave us the unique opportunity to not just travel and visit different places during vacations, but also find the suitable job in any country, or even become a digital nomad travelling round the Globe with a laptop. That can become a fantastic experience, but also a great challenge as despite the globalization, the cultures and traditions are still very different, and this global village is not as global as it seemed.


Living in the other country brings a whole lot of new challenges in your social, personal and family life, an overwhelming loneliness and homesickness can become an almost-constant companion.

Remember, you're not alone. I work as an expat psychotherapist with clients living in Russia, USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Africa, Israel, France, Germany, Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Italy, Belgium, Thailand. So, if you feel like you can't find a way out, you reached the right place. You'll get a professional support from an expat psychotherapist.

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Culturally Sensitive Counseling

As an expat psychotherapist I strongly stand for a cultural diversity and I'm sure that the cross-cultural competence is a necessary skill for those who wish to help people with another cultural and social background. That's the main reason why I'm based my practice on the principles of a Culturally Sensitive Counseling.

Culturally Sensitive Counseling emphasizes the psychologist's understanding of a client's cultural background, ethnicity, traditions, and belief system. I incorporate cultural sensitivity into my work to accommodate and respect differences in opinions, values, and attitudes of various cultures and different types of people.

Cultural sensitivity also allows me, as an expat therapist, to gain and maintain cultural competence, which is my ability to first recognize and understand my own cultural background and how it influences my relationship with a client, then understand and respond to the culture that is different from my own.

I'm sure that Cultural sensitivity practices can be applied to any type of therapy. I widely use it in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Art Therapy, and it has also become an essential part of my career counseling.

Why do I use these practices? They help my clients feel more comfortable, making the treatment more effective. Different studies show the positive effects of cultural sensitivity practices and has also outlined examples of how therapists can be more culturally competent in their interactions with clients of different backgrounds.


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Why People Choose to Work With Me

Experience
One of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes in psychotherapy is the amount of experience the therapist has. I've been practicing psychology since 2002.
Highest Level of Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
Being an expat psychologist, I know it well that clients coming from different cultural environments need different kinds of therapy techniques. I'm an acting member of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) , Families in Global Transition (FIGT), International Association of Islamic Psychology, International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP)
I'm authentic and empathic
My commitment to you is to be as clear and authentic as possible. I'll help you to push yourself, by being compassionate. Combining my experience as a cross-cultural psychologist together with the best that psychotherapy has to offer and what we learn together about you — to know when to tread gently, and when and how to help you dig in — kind of like a good personal trainer.
I'm an enthusiastic and active collaborator
I'll work with you, as a team, in a collaboration that's safe, supportive, and challenging. In my experience, it's the best path toward growing and meeting life's complexity, with knowledge and a plan — as well as creativity and resilience.
I'm sure that improving mental well-being is much more effective than "decreasing" pathology
I focus on helping people create and experience changes in their lives, like: emotional evolution, better relationships with yourself and with others, healthy and useful self-understanding, greater life satisfaction, etc.

I love what I do
I have a passionate commitment to helping people create fuller and more mindful lives. I bring my diverse and well-grounded personal and educational experiences as a psychologist to my practice. Being an active nomad and visited more than 50 countries, supporting and helping people, I know how the combination of my training, credentials, and expertise as well as my personal empathy can help people to create a real change in their lives.


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Working Together For the Life You Want

First and the most important – here you will find a safe and empathic environment. The main principle I use is the importance of the power that comes from within. By assisting you to recognize and utilize your personal strengths and understand your limitations, you can grow into a happy, healthy individual. So, second – we will work together to the life want.

From my experience I know that people benefit most from therapy that is tailored to their personality, beliefs and needs. Together we can identify the most fitting approach for you from a variety of techniques.

I offer a safe and supportive environment in counseling. I believe that everyone has the hope of living a healthy life full of authenticity, harmony and connection. You can expect to find a calm, open-minded companion in me during counseling or therapy sessions. My approach to counseling is rooted in the belief that this is a sacred space for you to share your experiences. You will feel cared about, respected and empowered to make changes within yourself and with others.

Book your session and let's work together for the life YOU want.
Book your session

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Diplomas and Certificates


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Click "Block Editor" to enter the edit mode. Use layers, shapes and customize adaptability. Everything is in your hands.
Tilda Publishing
create your own block from scratch