The Travel Psychologist

29/05/2026

The Travel Psychologist® is now officially a registered trademark.

When I started this publication in 2021, I wanted to create a space where psychology and travel could meet with depth, nuance, and care.

Securing the trademark is a small but meaningful milestone — a way of protecting the integrity of the work and the community that’s grown around it.

Thank you for being here.

08/05/2026

Starting again in a new city can feel both exciting and disorienting. Dr Nicola Cann knows this better than most. She’s lived across cities and continents, and understands how friendship norms shift from place to place. Her new guide breaks down how to build local friendships, what to expect culturally, and how to protect yourself emotionally along the way. A thoughtful, practical read for anyone beginning again somewhere new.

Dr Nicola Cann, Sleep Psychologist and regular contributor Relocating can be exciting, liberating, and character-building. It can also be oddly exposing. You may arrive full of plans and optimism, only to discover that the hardest part is not the rent, the transport system, or learning where to buy....

29/04/2026

This week's letter explores the psychological impact of divisive politics on a nation. It's also a lesson to all of us to be kind, and not make assumptions.

"Dear Dr Charlotte, I’m writing from a place of worry and, if I’m honest, a bit of shame. I love my country, but lately I’ve found myself dreading the moment someone abroad asks me where I’m from. Our current leader has become such a polarising figure, both at home and internationally, that ...

24/04/2026

My guide to a short break in this warm and hospitable city

This article contains affiliate links. This means this blog will earn a small commission if you book through any of the included links, at no cost to you. Fes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, along with Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat. The city is home to the largest medina in the country; a ...

22/04/2026

Cognitive labour is invisible until it isn’t. This week, I’m looking at what happens when one partner becomes the default planner — and how small shifts can ease resentment and restore balance.

"Dear Dr Charlotte I’m writing because I’ve realised that every holiday my partner and I take — whether it’s a weekend away or a two‑week trip abroad — somehow ends up resting on my shoulders. I’m the one who researches destinations, compares flights, checks hotel reviews, books restau...

19/04/2026

We often chase far‑flung adventures, but sometimes the deepest reset comes from staying closer to home.

A staycation invites us to rediscover the familiar with fresh eyes, creating space for rest, reflection, and gentle joy.

Psychologically, it’s a reminder that renewal is less about location, more about perspective.

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist and Founder In a year shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and the sharp rise in airfares, many people are rethinking how they travel. The idea of a staycation, once seen as a compromise, is becoming an appealing and pragmatic choice for 2026. Travelling clo...

15/04/2026

Long‑distance relationships remove all the tiny daily reassurances we normally rely on. No wonder trust feels more fragile. This week’s letter looks at how to rebuild that sense of safety through communication, clarity and care.

"Dear Dr Charlotte, I’m in a long‑distance relationship and I’m struggling more than I expected. My partner and I have been together for three years, and we’ve spent the last eight months living in different countries because of work. We always said we were strong enough to handle the distan...

10/04/2026

Some moments stay with us not because they were planned, but because we were present enough to notice them.

In this guest post, trainee psychotherapist Kora Dietsche reflects on the quiet power of slow travel — and how moving at a gentler pace can open space for attention, connection and self‑discovery.

A beautiful read for anyone craving a different way to travel.

By Kora Dietsche, Trainee Psychotherapist and MSc Psychology graduate I enjoy travelling slowly, often by train or bus, on foot, and spending longer periods in one place when possible. I also often travel alone and value the variety, from day trips and multi-day hikes to several weeks or months in t...

08/04/2026

NEW: When a “generous” family holiday comes with unspoken rules, old roles, and gendered expectations, it stops feeling like a break. This week’s letter is about protecting your children, supporting your partner, and finding your voice in someone else’s house.

"Dear Dr Charlotte I’m a dad of two young children, and every summer we spend a chunk of our holiday at my in‑laws’ villa. On the surface, it’s a huge privilege — a beautiful place, no accommodation costs, and a chance for the kids to spend time with their grandparents. I am genuinely grat...

03/04/2026

Film tourism isn’t just about “seeing where something was filmed.” It’s a psychological pull: the stories that shaped us, the characters we grew up with, the places that feel familiar long before we arrive. From narrative transportation to parasocial bonds, screen locations can feel like stepping back into a world that once held us. But not all motivations are deep — some visits are simply for the photo. In this piece, I explore the full spectrum of why we travel to the places we’ve only ever seen on screen.

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist and Founder The psychological pull of visiting film and TV locations is substantial. We can see just by the numbers that people are spending a lot of money and time visiting the places they've seen on screen: A 2021 BFI report found that two‑thirds of to...