Expat for 30 years – 11 countries,  4 continents, numerous moves, 3 TCK kids. 1 dog Kiwi and 1 cat Katze Charly

I am Nadege — CDC and DCA Certified Divorce Coach, serial expat, and divorced mum.

Expat for 26 years. 11 countries. 4 continents. Countless moves. 3 TCK kids. 1 dog and 1 cat.

I have always wanted to live abroad. My journey started at 17, and an international life is what I love — even when it is tough. Changing countries every two to three years forced me to reinvent myself constantly, and I have had my share of challenging moments along the way.

My story

In 2021, after 25 years of marriage and one of my most challenging relocations, I made the hardest decision of my life. I could no longer pretend I was happy. I could no longer pretend that what had happened in the past didn’t affect me. It did — badly. And we mutually decided it was time to end it.

I had already considered divorce in 2012, so it wasn’t entirely new territory. But there is a big difference between something you consider hypothetically and actually pressing the button.

What I discovered very quickly is that everyone around you has limitations:

• My lawyer was excellent with the law — and had little time for the emotions that were cluttering my process
• My psychologist was helpful at the start, but I didn’t need therapy throughout — I needed something else entirely
• My friends and family were wonderful, but by month three they expected me to “get over it” — and there were things I simply couldn’t share with them, and didn’t want to involve them in, because I needed to protect them, myself and my kids

What I needed was a divorce coach. And so I became one.

I enrolled in my CDC certification during my own divorce and applied everything I was learning in real time, on myself, on my own process. I learnt how to breathe, how to use the right tools, how to return to my best self before every difficult conversation and every decision that needed to be made.

Not too fast, not too slow. Not letting my emotions run the show, but not letting my brain take over either. Balance — that is what got me through.

On July 7th 2022 — exactly one year and one week after my official separation — I signed my divorce. Both attorneys congratulated me for a constructive, amicable and outstanding outcome.

That is what is possible with the right support.

My credentials

I am a CDC Certified Divorce Coach® and a DCA (Divorce Coaches Academy) certified coach — a certification I am particularly proud of, as I will soon be launching DCA in France, bringing this outstanding training to French-speaking coaches for the first time.

I am currently specialising in co-parenting in high-conflict divorce, and I continue to educate myself every day. I spent over four years as a moderator of a Facebook group for divorcing expat women, and I read, research and participate in professional groups constantly — because I am committed to bringing you the very best support, whatever your situation.

Your story is unique. Your divorce is not mine. But the tools, the mindset and the support I can offer you — those are yours.

I am not in your life. But I have been in your shoes.

Based in Barcelona. Working worldwide via Zoom.

Book your free 30-minute discovery call

 

What I learnt in the process of my divorce and how my certification as a divorce coach made a difference:

Professionals have limitations, and so do friends and family

My lawyer was good with the law and had little to no time for my emotions to cluster the process.

My psychologist wasn’t what I needed in the long term; there was no need for therapy. I worked with her at the beginning, but then I didn’t need a therapist during the process. She was important in helping me decide to go ahead with the divorce, and I felt strong to then inform my STBX about it and start making decisions.

Friends and family do not handle time the same way you do. By the end of the 3rd month they will expect you to “get over it”, and there are things during the process you can not share with them, and do not want to involve your family with those things because you need to protect them, you and your kids.

And my best reward is my lawyer’s note right after signing my divorce.

Timing was important

Not too fast, not too slow, do not rush, do not let your emotions run the show, but don’t let your brain take control. It is a matter of balance, and I learnt how to breathe and use other tools to return to my best self and face every single step of the process.

As a moderator of a FB group of divorcing women for over 4 years, I know social media is excellent, but you need to handle it with great care. My story is unique and different, and so is your’s.

Send me a message and I will happily send you my flashcards on Hints and Tips about being an expat and about divorcing abroad

I chose during my divorce to embrace new opportunities for a better tomorrow, and today I support my clients in the process of the divorce to uncover new paths and potentials.

As a serial expat and divorced mum, I understand what you are going through. I am not in your life but have been in your shoes.

Because divorce doesn’t have to be UGLY, and I can help you.

I also want every future expat and trailing spouse to be ready to face life abroad. I believe it is better to be safe than sorry; therefore, being prepared to move overseas, and knowing what it takes to leave your comfort zone, is already the first step to thriving in this lifestyle.

 

I still educate myself every day, currently, I am specialising in co-parenting in high-conflict divorce. I read a lot and participate in different groups, I have at heart to bring you the very best support, whatever your situation is.