Expat Coaching

Moving abroad is more than a change of address, it is a shift in identity, relationships, and purpose. For professionals posted to Belgium on short or long term assignments, and for spouses building a new life here, the experience can be both exciting and overwhelming. At SOMA we specialize in providing clarity, resilience, and direction so that expat life in Belgium becomes not only manageable, but fulfilling.

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  • Tailored to professionals navigating demanding international roles, this coaching supports you in balancing high-pressure assignments with the realities of life abroad. You will work on building resilience, clarifying priorities, and developing strategies that allow you to thrive both at work and at home.

  • For trailing spouses, the move can bring unique challenges, identity shifts, career disruption, and the task of creating a meaningful life in a new culture. We provide a safe space to explore goals, build confidence, and design a life abroad that feels purposeful and rewarding.

  • Expat life often adds layers of pressure, including new roles, cultural adaptation, and the weight of high expectations. It is not uncommon for professionals to experience stress, imposter syndrome, or even the first signs of burnout. Recognize these patterns early and develop tools to manage them effectively. The focus is on building resilience, restoring balance, and creating sustainable ways of working and living abroad.

Meet the coach: Matheus Lourenço, PhD

Having lived in Brazil, Canada, the United States, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium, Matheus knows the challenges of starting over in a new country. His coaching is shaped by both personal experience and a strong academic foundation. He holds a doctorate in psychology from KU Leuven and Maastricht University, as well as a specialization in Behaviour Change from University College London.

For over a decade, Matheus has worked across coaching, training, consulting and therapy. His career spans supporting oncological patients and those suffering through chronic anxiety, tinnitus, pain, and fatigue, as well as consulting for leading pharmaceutical companies where he managed global projects and coached professionals in demanding roles.

What sets him apart is the way he combines scientific rigor with empathy. He understands that while technical skills may bring people to Belgium, resilience, adaptability, and clarity are what help them thrive. For trailing spouses, he helps navigate identity, career, and belonging, ensuring that expat life becomes not just manageable, but meaningful.

FAQs

  • Each coaching program begins with an initial consultation to understand your personal and professional context. From there, a tailored coaching process is designed, focusing on your goals, challenges, and growth opportunities.

  • Yes (if possible). Face-to-face interactions are a key part of building trust and creating the connection that makes coaching most effective. In-person sessions allow for deeper engagement, more natural communication, and a stronger focus on the client. Online coaching is also possible for those who travel frequently, but most clients find the best results come from meeting in person.

  • Coaching sessions are delivered in our mother tongues, English and Portuguese. This ensures clear communication and natural flow, helping you get the most out of your coaching experience.

  • Coaching is available in Belgium, with a focus on the Antwerp, Brussels, and Mechelen regions. Sessions take place in flexible office spaces that provide a calm and confidential setting. For clients with demanding schedules, there is also the option of “housecalls,” meaning sessions can be held directly at the client’s workplace or office. This flexibility ensures coaching fits seamlessly into both professional and personal life.

  • Behaviour Change is the science of understanding why people do what they do and how to create lasting, positive shifts in thoughts, feelings, and actions. It goes beyond willpower or motivation; it involves uncovering the patterns, beliefs, and habits that shape daily life, and then applying evidence-based strategies to reshape them. In coaching, behaviour change provides the foundation for helping expats develop healthier ways of coping with stress, adapting to new environments, and building meaningful lives abroad.

  • Every client’s journey is different, but the core focus is always on empowerment. Coaching provides knowledge, tools, and strategies to overcome the barriers that can be exacerbated by an expat life (whether those are professional pressures, cultural adjustment challenges, or personal doubts). Clients often leave with greater clarity, stronger resilience, and renewed confidence in navigating both work and life abroad.

  • We’re here to help! We’re ready to provide the answers you need. Just contact us