From one globally mobile individual and travel enthusiast to another…
You need a therapist and coach who’s going to understand the nuances of a globally mobile life and the unique challenges it brings.
You’re a high-functioning and high-achieving individual, whether that’s personally or professionally, and love a good challenge.
You recognize that you live a privileged lifestyle and are so grateful for the opportunities you’ve had…
And yet, there’s this nagging feeling that…
You’re *actually* rootless amid all this moving.
The exhaustion is kicking in, and you’re unsure if you can keep this up anymore.
When my clients reach this point, they often experience two distinct feelings:
- ‘Stuck’ between worlds, floating, never really belonging to here or there.
- ‘Scattered’ between places, cultures, and relationships, like there are pieces of you everywhere except where you are.
These feelings can leave you unfulfilled and disconnected, struggling to find "your place" and unsure how to create it.
As a global nomad (and expat of color), born to Indo-Caribbean parents who immigrated to New York City, a third-culture kid, and a licensed traveling psychologist, I know the tension of gratitude for this lifestyle and the deep longing for connection and belonging.
And what are the nuances of being globally mobile,
as an expat or digital nomad?
Through my experiences, I witnessed the unique challenges that globally mobile individuals face, balancing adaptability and flexibility while struggling with a sense of belonging and stability. My work in international mental health also revealed how general therapy practices are often imposed as a standard, without considering local contexts. This can lead to the erasure or devaluation of local approaches.
As a result, I have made it my mission to incorporate culturally affirming practices into my work as a location-independent therapist and mental health practitioner.
Hi, I’m Dr. Neeta - Licensed Psychologist, Location-Independent Therapist, and Mental Health Advocate.
My work as a therapist, coach, and with the Psychology Across Borders community opens a deeper communication channel for individuals to be more honest with the discomfort of being globally mobile, as well as bridges communities for mental health professionals to share mental health knowledge and practices, network, and thrive together.
The Vision
Some rapid-fire facts and global street cred
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French
Countries lived in: USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Cameroon, France, South Africa
Comfort food dish: Mom’s chicken curry
Will always do this when traveling: Book somewhat last minute (working on it, but prefer go-with-the-flow travel)
Must-have travel accessory: Old school headphones + adaptor (no Bluetooth and no charging required for those 30+ hour routes)
Travel pet peeve: When the airplane lands and people rush to the front of the plane.
⭐ Became a TCK in 1st grade by moving to Singapore (and eventually Malaysia too)
⭐ Repatriated multiple times across states throughout my education
⭐ Bachelor of Arts, in both Psychology and History, from the University of Texas at Austin
⭐ Master of Science Diploma in Educational Psychology
⭐ Clinical internship at the New Orleans VA Hospital
⭐ Doctoral degree in 2012 from Texas A&M University (backpacked worldwide between semesters)
⭐ Post-PhD Gap Year in Europe (studied Spanish in Spain)
⭐Postdoctoral fellowship (Houston VA Hospital, 2014), specializing in the treatment of trauma
⭐ 1st official expat job: Lecturer at the University of the South Pacific in the Fiji Islands, and designed a telepsychology training program to launch the practice of professional psychology in the region.
⭐ Pivoted to launch Psychology Across Borders and private practice for global nomads while living in northern Cameroon during the pandemic
⭐ Recently moved to Cape Town, South Africa. Stay tuned for upcoming community projects!
Catch Me in Action on Stages Around the World!
Interviews, Podcasts, and Speaking Engagements from Dr. Neeta
The Global Chatter
Ep. 42 || Dr. Neeta Ramkumar - "The Belonging Struggle"
Holding the Fort Abroad
Ep. 12: An invitation to deeper inner work – with Dr Neeta Ramkumar
People of Color in Psychology
AAPI Series - Decolonizing Psychology Through Collaboration and Bridging Work
Grant J. Rich (Editor) Neeta A. Ramkumar (Editor)
Learn About Global Psychology & Culture with my Book
Psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean (2022)
With contributions from noted psychologists in the Caribbean and Oceania, as well as experts from around the globe, this book provides nuanced examination of significant psychological issues in nations such as Fiji, Guyana, Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, and more. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals with an interest in this part of the world, will find this volume a rich resource, as will those generally interested in the relationship between culture and psychology.
Psychology Across Borders,
the global mental health professional community dedicated to bridging
collaborations, networking, and an inclusive community.
Psychology Across Borders is a global network for mental health professionals, building community from a local to global scale.
We facilitate connections and knowledge exchange to amplify mental health education from a local to global scale, and vice versa. We believe in redefining sustainable and supportive ways of mental health by breaking the siloes and directly interacting with each other across borders.
Work alongside a cross-cultural therapist,
mental health consultant, and community facilitator.
Here’s how we can work together:
Many people I support are 1st and 2nd generation immigrants and people of color.
Are you looking for 1:1 therapy or coaching sessions?
Are you looking to bridge gaps in mental health training?
Are you looking to join a global community of mental health professionals?
"Neeta and I met at the University of the South Pacific. She and I worked closely together on learning and teaching, research and community outreach. Neeta is a creative thinker. She puts people and relationships, and their well-being at the center of how she approaches work and life. As a result she is able to work with people from diverse contexts, find innovative solutions to complex challenges and bring people together to collaborate and support each other."
Dr. Sara N. Amin, Senior Lecturer of Sociology,
School of Law and Social Sciences, USP, Fiji.
