Immigration and Feelings of Dislocation

Immigration is a complex process that has specific and significant effects on a person. Leaving one's country involves loss, and thus the possibility of depression. Feelings of dislocation, of belonging and lack of belonging, and a longing to belong that can never be fulfilled, are all familiar to expatriates. Guilt and anxiety related to what and whom the person has left behind are not infrequent. Clinging to memories, and the idealization of what was left behind may dominate the psychic life and interfere with one's ability to live meaningfully, productively, and fully in the present. Immigration may have a significant impact on the sense of personal and professional identity, and many elements of this complex experience can hinder what is also an opportunity for psychological growth. My own experience as an expatriate has led me to specialize in issues related to this area and I have worked with many individuals who have immigrated to New York. I offer them the opportunity to express and reflect on this particular experience and its impact on their lives.