Lenore McIntyre | English-speaking Psychotherapist in Alsace | Online Therapy for Expats and Internationally
You may look like you’re coping — But something isn’t working in the way you relate, respond, or feel.
You find yourself repeating patterns– in relationships, in your reactions, in how you carry pressure. You may already understand parts of this — but insight alone hasn’t led to change.
Therapy for anxiety, relational patterns, and internal pressure—offered in English and French, online and in Alsace.
I work with internationally oriented professionals seeking a deeper understanding of what drives these patterns–and how to shift them in a lasting way.
You may be used to holding things together
Functioning well on the surface–managing work, relationships, and expectations.
But underneath, something feels off.
You might recognise yourself in this:
— You overthink your relationships and interactions
— You replay conversations long after they’ve happened
— You notice patterns in how you react, but can’t shift them
— You move between closeness and distance without fully understanding why
— You carry a level of internal pressure that rarely switches off
You may have tried to understand this out on your own–but something hasn’t shifted.
Therapy offers a way to work at the level where these patterns are formed–not just where they appear.
I work with internationally oriented professionals and individuals who are functioning well on the surface–but experiencing something unresolved underneath.
Often, they have already tried to understand what But insight alone hasn’t led to meaningful, lasting change.
Many of the people I work with:
— Appear capable and composed, yet feel uncertain or unsettled internally
—Notice recurring patterns in relationships, reactions or choices
—Think deeply about their experiences, but struggle to shift them
—Move between closeness and distance without fully understanding why
—-Carry a level of internal pressure that isn’t visible externally
— Are living between cultures, or navigating multiple identities or contexts
This work tends to suit people who are willing to look beneath surface explanations and engage with what’s driving these patterns more deeply.
Who I Help
I work with thoughtful, high-functioning adults
who feel stuck, anxious, or disconnected in their relationships.
Many of my clients:
— Appear to be doing well on the outside, but feel unsure underneath
— Have tried to understand things on their own, but something remains unresolved
— Struggle with closeness, conflict, or emotional clarity
— Find themselves thinking more than feeling
— Are you living abroad or navigating life between cultures
My approach is based on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP).
We focus on what’s happening beneath the surface—especially the emotional processes that drive anxiety and relationship difficulties.
Together, we:
Clarify what is really causing the problem
Identify patterns that repeat
Work directly with emotions—not just talk about them
Create meaningful, lasting change
This is an active, focused process—we work together to get to the root of things.
“I am an American psychotherapist based in Europe, working with an international client base. I specialise in helping people move beyond anxiety, disconnection, and recurring relationship patterns through in-depth, focused therapy. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. If something here resonates with you, you’re welcome to reach out.”
About Me
I am an American psychotherapist based in Alsace, France, working in English and French with clients across Europe and internationally.
My work focuses on people who are functioning well on the surface, yet experiencing something unresolved underneath—often in the form of recurring relational patterns, internal pressure, or a sense of disconnection that hasn’t shifted despite insight.
My work
I offer a focused and experiential approach grounded in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP).
This work is particularly suited to people who have already spent time reflecting and trying to understand themselves—but find that certain patterns remain.
Rather than staying at the level of explanation, we work more directly with the underlying emotional processes that shape how you relate, respond, and experience yourself.
Working across cultures
Living and practicing between cultures has shaped how I understand people and their experiences.
For many of the people I work with, questions of identity, belonging, and connection are more complex—especially when living internationally or navigating multiple contexts.
These experiences often influence relationships and emotional life in ways that are not immediately clear, but become more accessible through focused work.
Background
Alongside my clinical work, I am a parent of three children, which has deepened my understanding of relationships, family dynamics, and the realities of sustaining connection over time.
I continue to develop my practice through ongoing supervision and advanced training in ISTDP, maintaining a high level of clinical focus and care.
How I work with you
I believe therapy is most helpful when it brings you closer to your own emotional experience.
When understanding becomes something you can feel—not just think about—change tends to follow.
My role is to support that process with warmth, clarity, and respect for your pace.
Ongoing development
I continue to deepen my work through ongoing supervision and advanced training in ISTDP.
This allows me to stay responsive to each person I work with, and to maintain a high standard of care.
Whether you’re navigating a demanding professional life, living abroad, or finding relationships more difficult than they should be, therapy offers a space to understand what’s happening beneath the surface—and to create meaningful, lasting change.
I aim to offer a space that is thoughtful, focused, and free from judgment.
How Therapy Works
High-achieving professionals often manage everything well—except the emotional patterns that quietly disrupt their work, relationships, and inner peace. If anxiety, burnout, or feeling “stuck” persists despite your best efforts, this is the deeper work we address together.
Who I Work With
As a registered psychotherapist with diplomas in counselling, psychotherapy, and coaching from Middlesex University and The Institute of Psychosynthesis, and extensive training in ISTDP, I work with thoughtful, driven adults and couples.
You might recognize yourself if you experience:
Persistent anxiety, self-criticism, or depression
Repeating patterns in relationships that leave you disconnected or exhausted
Self-defeating behaviors affecting your personal and professional life
Emotional blocks from life abroad or cultural transitions
I work comfortably with people from diverse backgrounds—online internationally or in-person in Turckheim, France.
A more active and focused way of working.
You may have already spent time trying to understand what’s driving your reactions—thinking things through, gaininig insight.
And yet, certain patterns remain.
This is often because these patterns are not fully accessible at the level of conscious thought.
My work focusses on where these patterns are actually formed and maintained-–so that change can be experienced, not just understood.
An active, experiential approach
I am trained in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an evidence-based and experiential approach that works directly with the emotional processes underlying anxiety, relationship difficulties, and internal pressure.
Sessions are active and collaborative.
We don’t only talk about what’s happening—we work with it as it unfolds, in real time.
This allows us to access and shift the mechanisms that keep patterns in place.
What this means in practice
In our sessions:
— We pay close attention to what is happening moment-to-moment
— We explore how anxiety and defensive patterns operate
— We work directly with emotional experience, not just reflection
— We gradually build your capacity to experience and process emotions more fully
This is what makes deeper and more lasting change possible.
What changes over time
As the work progresses, you may begin to notice:
— A clearer sense of what drives your reactions, not just an intellectual understanding
—Less internal pressure and fewer automatic patterns taking over
— Greater access to your emotional experience without becoming ovrewhelmed
— A shift in how you relate to others–less repetition, more choice
This is not only something you understand—
it is something you begin to experience directly.
What sessions are like
Sessions are focused, active and collaborative.
We work closely with what is happening in the moment—rather than only talking about it from a distance.
At times, the work can feel precise and challenging.
At the same time, it is grounded in a space that is supportive and contained.
The pace is adapted to you, but the work remains purposeful..
I offer a space that is both supportive and contained—where you can feel safe, while also being guided to look more closely at what is happening.
Sessions are typically 90 minutes, allowing us to work in depth.
The first meeting
The initial consultation is a focused conversation to understand what is bringing you here and how these difficulties are organised.
It also gives you a direct sense of how I work, so you can decide whether this approach feels right for you.
If it is, we can define a way of working that fits the depth and focus required.
What changes over time
As the work progresses, you may begin to notice:
— A clearer sense of what drives your reactions, not just an intellectual understanding
—Less internal pressure and fewer automatic patterns taking over
— Greater access to your emotional experience without becoming ovrewhelmed
— A shift in how you relate to others–less repetition, more choice
This is not only something you understand—
it is something you begin to experience directly.
If you’re looking for a way to understand what’s really going on—and to create lasting change—this approach may be a good fit.
You’re welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.
Fees & Practical Information
Starting therapy often comes with practical questions. This page is here to give you a clear sense of how I work.
Sessions
Sessions are held online or in person (adjust if needed).
Each session lasts 90 minutes, allowing us to work in depth and without rushing.
The pace and frequency of sessions will depend on your needs, and we can discuss what feels appropriate for you.
Format of the work
I offer both shorter-term and longer-term work, depending on what you are looking for.
Some people come with a specific focus, while others want to explore more deeply over time.
We can decide together what feels most appropriate.
Fees
The fee per session is [insert fee].
Payment details will be discussed during our initial consultation.
Reduced-fee places may occasionally be available
First consultation
We begin with an initial consultation.
This is an opportunity to understand what you are experiencing, and to see whether working together feels like a good fit.
You are welcome to ask any questions, and there is no obligation to continue.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask for at least [24/48 hours] notice.
Sessions cancelled with less notice may be charged in full.
Closing
All sessions are confidential and conducted in line with professional ethical standards.
I offer a space that is respectful, open, and free from judgment, where all backgrounds and ways of living are welcome.
If you’re considering starting therapy and have any questions, you’re welcome to get in touch.
All sessions are confidential and conducted in line with professional ethical standards.
Frequency & Commitment
Recommended start: Several weekly sessions to build momentum
Ongoing work: Bi-monthly sessions, medium- to long-term (3–12+ months), with regular assessment
Intensives available: 2–3 sessions per week or focused blocks for deeper work
We review progress together and adjust as needed.
Booking Your First Session
The initial consultation (90 minutes or an extended 180 min session) is an opportunity to:
✔ Discuss what brings you to therapy
✔ Assess how ISTDP might serve your goals
✔ Determine if we’re a good fit
I typically respond within 24 hours. If you prefer email or phone first, use the contact form below.
Therapy for International & Expat Clients
Living and working abroad brings unique emotional challenges—cross-cultural stress, identity shifts, and the quiet loneliness of being “in between” worlds. For professionals, entrepreneurs, couples, and families navigating these layers, therapy offers clarity and grounding.
Understanding Your Experience
I specialize in the complexities of international life:
Cultural adaptation and belonging—feeling at home nowhere, or everywhere
Identity shifts from frequent moves, career transitions, or dual/multiple cultures
Bicultural couples and families face language barriers, different values, education differences, or unspoken expectations
Time zone fatigue, isolation from support networks, and “third culture” pressures
Having lived and practiced in Europe for over a decade, I understand these dynamics deeply.
Bilingual Therapy (English & French)
Fluent in both languages—no need to translate your inner experience
Sessions in your language of choice, or code-switching as feels natural
Online worldwide via a secure platform, accommodating time zones (CET)
Deep, experiential work like ISTDP translates beautifully online. You don’t need to be local to experience transformation.
Latest Blog posts
Why This Works for You
International clients tell me they value:
✔ A therapist who “gets” expat life without explanation
✔ Flexible scheduling across time zones
✔ Therapy that addresses both professional performance and private life
Whether you’re in London, Dubai, New York, or just outside Colmar, this space is built for you
Contact
If you’re considering reaching out, you don’t need to have everything figured out.
You’re welcome to get in touch with a brief message about what’s bringing you here, or simply to arrange an initial consultation.
Your message will be treated with care and confidentiality.
Many of the people I work with are living internationally or between cultures.
You may be looking for a therapist who understands the complexities of expat life without needing much explanation.
I offer online sessions across time zones, with a flexible and focused approach that takes into account both your professional and personal life.
If you prefer, you can also reach out directly via
Email: lenore.mcintyre@gmail.com or
Cell: +33 6 33 69 35 47