Abundant Practice Podcast
Episode #628: Virtual Nomad Therapist, feat. Dr. Annie Krajewski
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Dr. Annie Krajewski
Introduction to Dr. Annie Krajewski's Journey
Timestamp: 03:25
In this enlightening episode, Allison Puryear welcomes Dr. Annie Krajewski, a psychologist who has successfully merged her career with a life of international travel. Dr. Krajewski shares her initial foray into the digital nomad lifestyle, which began during her graduate studies. Her first international experience in Morocco ignited a passion for travel that eventually led her to establish a private practice while exploring the world.
Notable Quote:
"I learned about being a digital nomad, and I was like, oh, wow. Like, that seems really cool. But there's no way I'm going to be able to do that because I want to, you know, in private practice."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (03:37)
Establishing a Sustainable Nomadic Practice
Timestamp: 06:52
Dr. Krajewski recounts the pivotal moment when a personal upheaval—her partner leaving—coincided with the launch of her private practice in Virginia. This convergence pushed her to reconsider her roots and embrace a nomadic lifestyle. Moving back to her family in Washington State, she embarked on an extended trip to Morocco, which eventually became her primary base. This transition marked the beginning of her journey as a traveling psychologist.
Notable Quote:
"I had to change my schedule. And so this time zone's a little bit easier just because it's like a five to six hour time difference... it's like really nice."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (10:56)
Balancing Travel with Practice Management
Timestamp: 07:56
One of the central themes of the discussion revolves around managing time zones and maintaining a consistent schedule for U.S.-based clients while residing abroad. Dr. Krajewski emphasizes the importance of anchoring her schedule to Eastern Time to minimize disruptions. She highlights strategies such as setting her computer clock to U.S. time and limiting schedule changes to ensure reliability for her clients.
Notable Quote:
"I usually saw people in like the evening ish time in D.C. and so that translated to seeing people like 9 or 10pm to like 1 or 2am Morocco time."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (10:19)
Financial Advantages of Living Abroad
Timestamp: 14:08
Dr. Krajewski discusses the significant cost-of-living benefits of residing in countries like Thailand and Morocco compared to the United States. By maintaining U.S. client rates, she can enjoy a higher standard of living with less financial strain. Affordable housing, especially in desirable locations like beachfront properties in Thailand, allows her to live comfortably without the necessity of an excessively large caseload.
Notable Quote:
"I'm paying 500 and it's like a 15 minute walk to the beach. It's way less expensive than in the States."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (14:43)
Navigating Visa and Residency Requirements
Timestamp: 15:34
The episode delves into the complexities of international visas and residency laws. Dr. Krajewski explains the challenges American digital nomads face, such as limited duration tourist visas in Morocco and stringent requirements for longer-term stays in countries like Thailand. She highlights practical solutions like visa runs and exploring digital nomad-specific visas offered by countries like Croatia, Spain, and Portugal.
Notable Quote:
"In Thailand they do have a digital nomad visa now, but you have to pay like 500 and you have to show that you have like $15,000 in a bank account."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (17:08)
Language Barriers and Communication Strategies
Timestamp: 20:05
Addressing the challenge of language barriers, Dr. Krajewski admits her struggles with learning new languages, particularly Arabic dialects in Morocco. She relies on her partner's fluency and basic communication skills supplemented by translation apps to navigate daily interactions. While language can be isolating in less touristy areas, technology and community support help mitigate these challenges.
Notable Quote:
"Technology has made it so possible. So you can just pull up your translator app. Anytime I've had any issues, I'll just pull that up and I'm able to kind of get by."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (21:28)
Unexpected Lessons and Practicalities of Digital Nomadism
Timestamp: 22:53
Dr. Krajewski reflects on the unforeseen practicalities of living abroad as a therapist. Managing banking systems, ensuring HIPAA compliance, and maintaining reliable internet connections were initially daunting but manageable with proper planning. She emphasizes that the reality of digital nomad life includes both the magical aspects and the inevitable challenges, such as homesickness and adjusting to different environments.
Notable Quote:
"The thing that surprised me the most is how doable it is. And the things that I really worried about, I was so terrified that I would go to another country and the Internet would be terrible. I think it was just so much easier than I could have ever imagined."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (23:06)
Personal Growth Through International Living
Timestamp: 25:05
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on personal growth achieved through international living. Dr. Krajewski discusses how stepping outside the controlled environment of the United States has allowed her to deconstruct consumerist habits and develop deeper self-awareness. She highlights how engaging with different cultures fosters resilience and a more profound understanding of herself.
Notable Quote:
"There's so much you can learn about yourself when you're outside of this kind of curated, very controlled American experience."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (28:21)
Conclusion and Future Plans
Timestamp: 29:08
In wrapping up, Allison invites listeners to join the Abundance Party membership program where Dr. Krajewski will be conducting a live webinar to delve deeper into the digital nomad lifestyle. They express mutual excitement about the insights shared and the opportunity for listeners to engage further with the topic.
Notable Quote:
"We have to just look at each country and... it is definitely possible."
— Dr. Annie Krajewski (19:51)
Key Takeaways
- Flexible Scheduling: Anchoring your practice to a specific time zone while traveling can help maintain consistency for clients.
- Cost Efficiency: Living abroad can significantly reduce living expenses, allowing therapists to maintain or even increase their income while enjoying a higher quality of life.
- Navigating Visas: Understanding and complying with various countries' visa requirements is crucial for long-term stays as a digital nomad.
- Communication Tools: Leveraging technology, such as translation apps, can overcome language barriers and enhance daily interactions.
- Personal Development: International living fosters personal growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of one's values and lifestyle preferences.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Annie Krajewski’s journey exemplifies how therapists can successfully balance a thriving private practice with the enriching experience of living abroad. Her insights offer valuable guidance for those aspiring to embrace a nomadic lifestyle without compromising their professional commitments.
For more resources and support on building a sustainable private practice, visit Abundance Practice Building or join the Abundance Party.