Supporting Spouses in Their New Chapter
Here’s what many don’t realize about life as a trailing spouse:
- Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, lonely, and full of emotional ups and downs.
- Struggling with a new language and daily communication can leave you feeling disconnected, frustrated and misunderstood.
- Culture shock is real and takes patience and a good sense of humor to work through it.
- Finding a community and creating meaningful connections requires effort and persistence.
I’ve walked in your shoes.
As someone who has experienced the highs and lows of relocation firsthand, I understand the unique challenges that come with being a trailing spouse.
Through coaching, I support you by:
- Enhancing Communication: Practical tips to help you feel more confident and understood in daily interactions.
- Exploring Cultural Differences: Fostering understanding and meaningful connections in your new community.
- Building a Social and Professional Life: Aligning your goals and values to create meaningful opportunities.
- Strengthening Emotional Resilience: Navigating the inevitable ups and downs of the relocation journey with confidence and ease.
Coaching is not about offering advice—it’s about partnering with you to uncover your strengths, clarify your goals, and create strategies that work for your unique situation. Together, we can turn this experience into a life-changing adventure full of growth, connection, and possibility.
“Moving to a new country is hard, but your journey doesn’t have to be.”
Kristin Kühner
What to Expect From the Coaching Process
1. Discovery Session
A 30-minute free consultation to get to know each other, discuss your unique situation and what you hope to achieve. I’ll answer any additional questions you may have and give you a feel for my coaching style. This is a no-obligation session, so you can decide if my coaching is the right fit for you.
2. Customized Plan
Together, we will create a personalized plan with clear milestones that aligns with your unique goals and aspirations.
3. Coaching Sessions
I offer flexible coaching packages designed to meet your unique needs. Sessions are one-on-one, confidential, and focused on addressing your specific challenges. I’ll work with you to create a plan that aligns with your goals.
4. Ongoing Support
Stay connected between sessions through support calls, email and WhatsApp for guidance and encouragement.
5. Reflection and Celebration
As the program concludes, we’ll reflect on your progress and refine strategies to ensure continued success.
What You’ll Gain from Relocation Coaching
Relocation coaching is about more than just settling in—it’s about thriving in your new life abroad.
When you work with me, you can expect to gain:
Clarity
Identifying priorities and developing actionable plans for achieving balance and fulfillment.
Resilience
Tools to handle emotional and cultural challenges effectively.
Confidence
Empowerment to embrace life abroad with purpose and assurance.
Connection
Building meaningful relationships and feeling a sense of belonging.
Personal Fulfillment
Focusing on what matters most while thriving in a new environment.
Create a Life You Love
Relocation is more than a move—it’s an opportunity to grow and create a life you love. Let’s make that happen together.
Answers to your burning questions
What is relocation/expat coaching for trailing spouses?
Relocation/expat coaching for trailing spouses focuses on providing emotional support and guidance to help individuals adapt to life in a new country. This includes addressing challenges like finding purpose, navigating cultural differences, building a social network, and managing the emotional impact of leaving familiar surroundings.
I also offer mentoring to help make transitions smoother. Drawing from my 13 years of experience living in Germany, I provide practical advice tailored to individual needs. Everything from managing local bureaucracy and navigating cultural differences to understanding social expectations, school systems, and tips for handling day-to-day tasks with ease is covered. Having experienced the rewarding and challenging aspects of adapting to life in Germany firsthand, I’m here to share what I’ve learned to make relocations as seamless as possible.
By addressing both emotional and practical needs, these services help trailing spouses feel supported and empowered during their relocation journey.
Balancing the demands of a new life while supporting a partner’s career can be difficult.
Prioritizing mental health and giving yourself time to adjust are key to thriving in this new environment.
What are some of the things spouses struggle with after they relocate?
Trailing spouses often face a range of challenges when relocating, including:
- Loss of Identity: Many trailing spouses leave behind careers, friendships, and routines, which can lead to feelings of uncertainty and a loss of personal identity.
- Culture Shock: Adjusting to a new country and culture can be overwhelming, with differences in social norms, language, and everyday life.
- Isolation: Moving to a new place without an established support system can lead to loneliness and difficulty making new connections.
- Career Concerns: The disruption of leaving a job or career behind can cause stress and frustration.
- Uncertainty: The unknowns of living in a new country can leave trailing spouses feeling uncertain about their future.
- Personal Relationship Challenges: Relocation often adds pressure to relationships as partners adapt to new roles and responsibilities and the change can lead to tension, especially when expectations differ or stress levels run high.
- Parenting Struggles: Parenting in a new country can present unique challenges, such as navigating different education systems, finding extracurricular activities, making new friends for children, etc.
Relocation coaching helps address challenges by offering support and strategies for building confidence, adjusting to new environments, improving relationships, and creating a sense of purpose and stability.
Is relocation coaching for me?
Relocation coaching is for anyone navigating the challenges of moving to a new country, especially if you:
- Feel overwhelmed by the process of settling into a new culture.
- Struggle to find a sense of belonging or create a support network.
- Need guidance balancing personal goals, family responsibilities, and adapting to a new environment.
- Want practical tips and strategies for dealing with culture shock, language barriers, or everyday logistics.
- Are curious about cultural norms and unspoken rules to better understand how things work in Germany.
- Would benefit from advice on navigating the local school system, healthcare, or public services to help you and your family settle in smoothly.
- Are seeking clarity and confidence to thrive in your new home.
If you’re looking for tailored support to turn this transitional period into an opportunity for growth, connection, and fulfillment, relocation coaching could be exactly what you need.
Won’t the relocation company, who is moving us, provide coaching?
Relocation companies typically handle the logistics of your move—shipping belongings, finding housing, and assisting with paperwork. While these services are invaluable, they often don’t address the personal and emotional aspects of relocation.
Coaching fills that gap by focusing on you. It helps you navigate challenges like adjusting to a new culture, rebuilding your support network, managing identity shifts, and finding your sense of purpose in a new environment.
Relocation coaching offers personalized support to ensure you thrive, not just settle, in your new home. It’s about equipping you with the tools, confidence, and resilience to truly embrace your expat experience.
Alongside coaching, I also offer mentoring with practical advice to make the transition smoother—sharing tips on navigating cultural differences, handling day-to-day logistics, and adapting to local expectations to help you settle in more comfortably.
“Our relocation company gave the entire family an “integration” session. It wasn’t at all what I expected and left me feeling even more confused and frustrated.“
“The relocation company only moved us here, now what? I feel lost.”
Why Work With Me?
I have 15+ years of expat experience with 13 years spent in Germany
Over the years, I have gained invaluable insights and lessons that now help me guide and support other expats on their journeys.
I am a professional ICF accredited coach dedicated to providing the highest quality support to my clients.
I bring empathy, expertise, attentive listening, and a culturally reflective approach to help you adapt and thrive in a safe and confidential space.
I get it. I have been in your shoes and understand firsthand the struggles and joys of being an expat in Germany.
I truly enjoy helping people overcome challenges, grow their resilience, and achieve their goals.
Testimonials
…invaluable in guiding our family…
Kristin is absolutely incredible! Her coaching was invaluable in guiding our family through one of the most crucial decisions we faced upon moving to Germany: choosing the perfect school for our son. She has a deep understanding of the emotional challenges faced by expat spouses and offers invaluable support and advice. I wholeheartedly endorse Kristin Kuehner Coaching!
Kate Raidt, Published Author, Speaker, Sales Coach, Referral Selling Expert + Trainer
… personalized and supportive approach to settling into a new country.
My experience working with Kristin, during my transition to Innsbruck, has been nothing short of transformative. From the outset, she demonstrated a profound ability to help me clarify my goals, needs, and values regarding the relocation process. She took the time to understand my personal aspirations and concerns, ensuring that my move to a new country aligned with my long-term objectives. This customized approach made a significant difference, allowing me to embark on this journey with confidence and clarity. Additionally, Kristin provided invaluable support as I settled into my new environment, and her knowledge as a relocation coach was instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of adapting to my new surroundings.
What stood out most was Kristin’s ability to enable me to find my own way in achieving my goals and tasks during the relocation process. Her compassionate and encouraging demeanor made me feel comfortable and reassured during this significant change in my life. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone considering a move, particularly those who, like me, desire a personalized and supportive approach to settling into a new country.
Erik Walter, Junior Engineer, ILF