Bridgeway Counselling
Jessica Chan MBACP (Reg.)
BACP Registered Counsellor
Counselling for International Students & Life Between Cultures
Support for international students, boarding school students and adults navigating cultural adjustment, identity, belonging and life between cultures.
Sessions are available online across the UK. In-person sessions may also be available in Bournemouth and Poole where appropriate.
Referrals and enquiries are welcome from individuals, parents, families and guardians.
Experiences That May Feel Familiar
Everyone's experience is unique. These are some of the experiences that international students and people navigating life between cultures often bring to therapy.
Homesickness
Identity & Belonging
Academic Pressure
Family Expectations
Boarding School Life
Language & Communication
Feeling Between Two Worlds
Understanding Life Between Cultures
Moving to a new country, starting boarding school, beginning university or adapting to a different culture can feel both exciting and deeply unsettling.Â
You may find yourself balancing different expectations from home and your new environment, navigating unfamiliar systems, relationships and ways of life. At times, it can feel as though you belong in more than one place, yet not fully in any of them.
Whether you are adjusting to life away from home, exploring your identity, navigating language challenges or managing significant life transitions, these experiences can shape how you see yourself and the world around you.
It is okay to feel uncertain, disconnected or caught between different worlds. Therapy can offer a space to make sense of these experiences, reconnect with your own voice and develop a stronger sense of belonging wherever you are.
My Approach
My own journey from Hong Kong to the UK as a teenager and international student shapes much of how I work. While every person's experience is different, it has given me a personal understanding of the challenges that can arise when navigating different cultures, languages and expectations.
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Alongside my counselling practice, I have spent nearly nine years supporting international students and young people, working closely with students, families and schools.
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I offer a warm, collaborative and culturally sensitive space where we can explore your experiences at a pace that feels right for you.
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I am a BACP Registered Counsellor with a post-qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. My work is supported by regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development.
Language Matters
For some people, certain thoughts, memories and emotions are easier to express in their first language. Others naturally move between languages depending on what they are talking about. Sessions can be adapted to whatever feels most comfortable and natural for you.