ABOUT THERAPY IN BARCELONA
We are expat 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 expat life
Psychology-Trained
All therapists are qualified (trained psychologists or equivalent in their native countries), have at least 5 years' experience and use evidence-based and integrative techniques.
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.
Multilingual Therapists
We offer therapy in English and 10 other languages (Italian, Dutch, French, German, Arabic, Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, Afrikaans, and Portuguese).
Collaborative
We take a team approach in supporting one another and you in therapy. We rely on your feedback, continual professional development, individual and group supervision to ensure the highest standard of care.
Diverse
We cover a wide range of specialities to meet our clients’ different needs. Referrals are easier thanks to our in-house setup.
Professional and Human
We invite you to come as you are. We create an open-minded space where we bring a balance of professionalism and humanity to therapy.
Leigh matthews
Therapy in Barcelona was founded and is managed by Leigh, an Australian trained and registered psychologist. She offers her services in Barcelona as a therapist and coach.
Over the last 18 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 10 years in Barcelona.
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.
When asked how she found her way towards psychology, she replies “I guess it all started with my Nana, my big sister and my Mum; they were all very empathetic people.”
Leigh must have inherited her empathy, because from an early age she felt things deeply. She was (and still is) highly sensitive towards the troubles of the world and other people.
Even so, it wasn’t until she had turned 13 that she picked up her first psychology textbook at a local shopping centre and was fascinated.
Leigh’s original dream was to become a writer, and when this seemed impractical, psychology became her main focus. (Leigh does still write and has just provided her expert opinion on each story in the published anthology of expat women’s stories “#Living The Dream: Expat Life Stripped Bare.“)
After completing her studies, she worked in clinical, research, and non-government psychology settings. At 29 years of age, she began her first private psychology practice in Australia.
Some years later, 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 expat, 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: an English-speaking professional, a therapist who could understand her situation as an expat.
This made her realise just how great the need was for a therapy service 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 to other practices, and fielding frequent requests from other therapists to join her. This situation encouraged her to expand. She opened a group office with five colleagues in the heart of Eixample, so that Therapy in Barcelona could embrace more therapists and help more internationals.
This also allowed her to continue forging links with other professionals who work with expats. Together, they strive to create enhanced models of shared care for Barcelona’s internationals.
As a long-term expat who has built her life in Barcelona, Leigh is not about to relocate elsewhere.
Read her LinkedIN profile.
Read Leigh's Commentary on
Expat Women's Stories
Why choose Therapy in Barcelona?
We’ve helped clients from 45 different countries.
We’ve organised 14,000 face-to-face and online appointments.
We’ve invested 12,000 hours in helping expats achieve their goals, be they large or small.
See what our clients say after seeing one of our therapists
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 English-Speaking therapists
Some of them found their way to psychology after studying and working in totally different fields (fashion or anthropology). 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 Mateo, a Mexican dog, and Piña, a Horsefield tortoise.
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, reading, going to healing retreats, surrounded by nature or combining sauna, sea and cold beer.
They 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.
They enjoy being active, whether this takes the form of dancing at home, hiking, wandering through the streets or practising yoga.
All members of the 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
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.