ABOUT THERAPY IN BARCELONA
We are International therapists who understand the unique complexities of living in a
foreign culture
Hello!
Welcome to Therapy in Barcelona
We are a group practice of international English speaking therapists with experience of life abroad
Psychology-Trained
All therapists are qualified (trained psychologists or equivalent in their native countries). We offer psychological support for expats as therapists and counsellors in Spain.
Responsible
We take our work seriously, hold ourselves to a high standard and help with intention. Even with years’ of experience under our belts, we practice and grow our skills together to provide the best expat therapy in Barcelona.
Multilingual Therapists
We offer therapy in English and other languages (therapy in French, therapy in German, therapy in Swiss-German, therapy in Spanish, therapy in Afrikaans, therapy in Catalan, therapy in Romanian, and therapy in Portuguese).
Collaborative
We take a team approach in supporting one another and you in therapy. Our English speaking therapists rely on your feedback, continual professional development, individual and group supervision to ensure the highest standard of care in our psychological support for expats.
Diverse
We cover a wide range of specialities to meet our clients’ different needs. Referrals are easier thanks to our in-house setup. We offer online therapy Spain, couples therapy Barcelona, family therapy Barcelona, child and adolescent therapy Barcelona, therapy for international students, IFS, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), SFT, REBT, MBT, Contemporary Psychoanalytic, Mindfulness-based therapy Barcelona, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Barcelona and more expat therapy types.
Professional and Human
We invite you to come as you are to therapy in Barcelona. We create an open-minded space where we bring a balance of professionalism and humanity to counselling for expats.
Leigh matthews
Therapy in Barcelona, the primary provider of English therapy for expats in Barcelona as of 2026, was founded and is managed by Leigh, a 49 year old Australian trained and registered psychologist. She offers her services in Barcelona as a therapist, consultant and coach.
Over the last 20+ years of her career, Leigh has worked with clients of diverse ages, cultures and backgrounds, and has specialised in working with internationals for the last 15 years in Barcelona. She writes about therapy and mental health issues for internationals and has provided commentary on the expat experience in the anthology of expat women’s stories #Living the Dream:Expat Life Stripped Bare, for Catalan News, Bold Journey, Canvas Rebel, Bold Journey, as an expat insider on Moving to Spain and many more.
Prior to moving to Barcelona, Leigh applied and developed her professional skills in roles as a Counselling Psychologist in hospital, non-government and government settings in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.
Leigh has been Supervisor to Masters in Counselling Psychology students for the University of Queensland and Psychologists-in-Training for the Australian College of Applied Psychology.
Driven by a natural empathy, Leigh’s interest in psychology was sparked at age 13. After completing her studies in Sydney, she worked across various psychological fields and established a successful private psychology practice in Brisbane, Australia at age 29.
At 34, her life took an unexpected turn when she fell in love and moved to Barcelona in 2011 with her partner, a native of the city.
She too was an immigrant, experiencing an intercultural marriage, the need to adapt to Spanish family obligations, Catalan culture and pregnancy in a foreign country all at once. So yes, she looked around for help to cope.
Unfortunately, she didn’t find what she needed at that time: an English speaking therapist who could understand her situation as a foreigner navigating a major adjustment to a new life in a new culture.
This made her realise just how great the need was for an English speaking therapy service in Barcelona that spoke to the international community. So she founded Therapy in Barcelona in 2011, initially as a solo practice, and worked as she raised her son, a Third Culture Kid.
By 2016, she was referring an increasing volume of clients looking for counselling for expats to other therapists in Barcelona, and fielding frequent requests from other English speaking therapists to join her. This situation encouraged her to expand. In 2018, she opened a group office and five colleagues joined her in the heart of Eixample. This is how Therapy in Barcelona could embrace more therapists and help more internationals looking for an English speaking therapist in Barcelona.
This also allowed Leigh to continue forging links with other English speaking professionals working with expats in Barcelona, Spain and Europe. Together, they strive to create enhanced models of shared care for international adults, couples, adolescents and families.
Anchored to Spain by her husband, son, and the home she has made, Leigh will be in Spain forever which means Therapy in Barcelona is going strong in 2026 and will be an enduring support, providing online therapy in Spain or counselling in office in Barcelona, for internationals to rely on for many years to come.
Read her LinkedIN profile.
Read her Bio
Read Leigh's commentary on
expat women's stories
Why choose Therapy in Barcelona?
Because we’ve been the primary provider of counselling for expats in Spain since 2011
We’ve helped clients from 45 different countries access online counselling and in office therapy in Spain.
We’ve organised over 27,795 face-to-face and online therapy appointments.
We’ve helped over 5,462 expats achieve their therapy goals, be they large or small.
Articles Featuring Leigh Matthews
An Award Winning
Team of Therapists
See what our clients say after seeing one of our therapists for expats
My time with this therapist has changed my life. It sounds like one of those statements that someone might make up to look good on a website or blog but this really is the case. I was literally saved from darkness and despair that was slowly consuming my soul, and I can't thank you enough for your patience and understanding and for giving me the tools to face my demons and what life throws at me every day. It's a work in progress and there is still much to do on my part, but myself and my family are grateful for all you do.
I feel incredibly comfortable and safe with my therapist. I recognise the importance of the therapeutic relationship and I am really happy with the therapy so far.
My therapist speaks perfect English, something that is very important for me, who feels super excluded from social life here, for not speaking Spanish. It was vital that she fully understands me. She's patient, and a very good listener, and is able to offer new insights on my problems as well as methods to change my outlook on life.
My therapist is not only present and caring, but also understands the breadth and depth of the mind and soul, which allows him to navigate each session within a framework that produces consistent breakthroughs.
My therapist is able to make me feel very relaxed but also challenge me & my views.
Only had one session but feel like I already have a clear plan for tackling issues going forward with my therapist's help.
I feel so much trust and freeness to speak to my therapist which I have not easily found with anyone else! She is amazing!
Changed therapist after one appointment then got matched with another therapist very easily! Very glad
My therapist helps by guiding me through it and helps me stay focused on feeling better in the present. She is a key player in my wellbeing at the moment and I couldn't be more grateful.
FUN FACTS
About Therapy in Barcelona's EnglishSpeaking therapists
Some of them found their way to psychology after studying and working in totally different fields. Others were attracted by psychology from the outset.
They studied psychology to understand themselves, to help people, and ultimately to make a positive difference in the world.
Most of them love animals and some have pets, including Miso, the Colombian Dachshund, Coco and Cici the Third Culture (UK/Spanish/NY) Cats, Nea, the Catalan Spanish Bull Mastiff, the 19 year old Romanian Cat, Angie, Canica Ting Ting the Toy Poodle, KimChi, the Murcían hound and Clara, the Mexican Pooch who has stayed in Mexico for the tacos but is deeply missed.
They are keen travellers. They enjoy exploring the world’s treasures (food, people, cultures) because it opens their minds.
They find different ways to relax. Meditation, hiking, reading, cooking, adventure sports, yoga, dancing around the lounge room, watching a good reality tv series, or going to healing retreats, surrounded by nature or combining sauna, sea and cold beer.
They enjoy being active and are imperfect dancers, cake bakers, guitar or piano players and poets. They all enjoy their free time in similar and different ways, and they are eager to learn from life.
All members of the therapy team have had to overcome obstacles or to look deep within themselves to become better therapists.
They actively engage in continuous development to learn, improve and refine their craft.
Take a look at our team page and find out how Therapy in Barcelona’s English speaking therapists can help you in 2026
You will see that, besides speaking several languages, each therapist has different specialities; they all have their own unique personality and offer a range of approaches. Therapy in Barcelona offers English-speaking therapists for expats, couples, families & digital nomads. Online or in-office therapy. Book a free call today!
