The Travel Psychologist

06/03/2026

NEW: More and more travellers are listing the number of countries they’ve visited; a modern badge of honour in our bios and feeds. But what’s really going on beneath the surface? This article unpacks the psychology of counting, comparison, and the quiet pressure to ‘collect’ experiences.

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist & Founder There’s a particular kind of travel conversation that reliably appears online: How many countries have you visited? For some, it’s a playful metric, a way of tracking memories or setting personal goals. For others, it’s become a badge of ho...

28/02/2026

A few thoughts from me in this insightful piece for BBC Travel

Train Street started life as a razor-thin alley with a train rushing through it. Now, it's swarmed with Instagrammable cafes and tourists who can't stay away, despite the risks.

27/02/2026

This week, regular contributor Elise Dyer writes about how Istanbul’s colour, noise and movement helped her see the quiet rhythms of Cornwall with new eyes. Sometimes it’s only when we step away that home reveals its own kind of beauty.

By Elise Dyer, Clinical Associate Psychologist & Clinical Lecturer There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you return from travel. Not the intoxicating magic of the journey itself, with all its newness and wonder, but something quieter and more grounding. For me, it came as I stepped b...

25/02/2026

NEW: Quietcations are resonating because so many people feel overstimulated and overwhelmed, and the idea of stepping away from noise, news and constant demands feels deeply restorative. This piece explores why quiet, simple trips can be so grounding right now and why choosing what genuinely nourishes you matters more than following a trend.

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist and Founder Quietcations have been highlighted by BBC Travel as one of the defining travel trends for 2026, described as trips centred on silence, stillness and a deliberate retreat from noise and stimulation. At their simplest, they are holidays designed....

20/02/2026

NEW: After 25 years of eating my way around Greece (purely for research, of course), I’ve finally put together my guide to the Greek foods you have to try. From seaside taverna classics to the dishes locals actually order, these are the flavours I keep coming back for again and again. 🇬🇷✨

https://thetravelpsychologist.co.uk/greek-foods-to-try/

18/02/2026

A few thoughts from me in this fantastic piece for Conde Nast Traveller

After unearthing her chest of obscure travel trinkets, Samia Qaiyum explores the psychology behind souvenirs and what they say about how we travel

16/02/2026

What an elephant sanctuary taught me about trust and why we don’t all judge safety the same way

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist and Founder On a recent trip to Thailand, I took a guided group tour around an elephant sanctuary. The guide knew everything about the elephants; their names, ages, histories, personalities and importantly whether they were likely to make sudden and potent...

13/02/2026

NEW: Two weeks in Sumatra with Dr Nicola: where dense jungle, quiet villages, and raw, untouched landscapes remind you what it feels like to be fully alive.

This is one of the most remote corners of the world—but for adventurous travellers, the effort melts away the moment you arrive.

Slow travel, deep nature, and the kind of memories that stay with you long after you’re home.

Dr Nicola Cann, Sleep Psychologist & Regular Contributor Sumatra is not an easy destination, and that is precisely its appeal. Indonesia’s largest island is vast, chaotic, and at times exhausting, but it offers something increasingly rare in modern travel: experiences that feel genuinely unfiltere...

06/02/2026

In today’s article, guest contributor Chad Scott, PhD, a licensed psychotherapist based in the US, shares an extraordinary and deeply personal reflection on how visiting places marked by tragedy became part of his own journey through terminal illness, a life‑saving liver transplant, and the long emotional recovery that followed.

Drawing on both his clinical expertise and the raw honesty of lived experience, Chad explores why some of us feel drawn to “dark” places and how, when approached with care and intention, these sites can offer space for grounding, perspective, and meaning‑making during life’s most difficult chapters.

This isn’t a piece about voyeurism or sensationalism. It’s about resilience and the quiet ways travel can help us process what feels overwhelming.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain places call to us during times of crisis, or how confronting darkness can sometimes illuminate a path forward, this is a powerful and compassionate read.

By Chad Scott, PhD, Licensed Psychotherapist and Author of Beyond the Darkness: Transformative Journeys Through Dark Tourism Less than two months after receiving a lifesaving liver transplant, I found myself asking an unusual question: Why am I drawn to places associated with death and suffering? Vi...

30/01/2026

Three weeks. Three countries. A journey that felt like equal parts adventure, reflection, and pure wonder ✨

From Chiang Mai’s temples and ethical elephant encounters, to the quiet magic of Siem Reap beyond Angkor Wat, to Vietnam’s lantern-lit streets, limestone peaks, and beautiful chaos — this trip had everything. Slow mornings, meaningful conversations, unexpected moments of calm, and the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you’re home.

If you’re dreaming of Southeast Asia, I’ve put together my full 3‑week itinerary — including what I’d do differently, the places that surprised me, and the moments that felt like “trip of a lifetime” material.

Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist & Founder This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you book through the links provided this blog will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Having three weeks to travel is a rarity for most of us, but if you can, it’s worth takin...

23/01/2026

Solo travel isn’t just about seeing the world — it’s about finally hearing yourself without the noise.

In this beautiful guest post, psychology graduate Sally Pei Han Chang reflects on what happens when we step away from expectation, culture, and the roles we’ve carried for years. From diverted flights to fog-covered mountains, she explores how solitude can soften old beliefs, strengthen self-trust, and create space for the version of ourselves we’ve long ignored.

A thoughtful, tender piece on identity, autonomy and the quiet power of being alone — especially for those who’ve grown up between cultures.

By Sally Pei Han Chang, BA Psychology Graduate Solo travel is often framed as an opportunity for liberation and self-discovery; however, less has been written about the psychological depth of this experience and how solitude can challenge long-held beliefs about identity, particularly for people who...

22/01/2026

Hi, I’m Dr Charlotte Russell — clinical psychologist, writer, and founder of The Travel Psychologist. My work explores the powerful ways travel shapes our minds, emotions, relationships, and sense of self.

For years, I’ve supported people through trauma, anxiety, identity shifts, and life transitions. Alongside that, I’ve explored and written about how travel can act as a catalyst for insight, growth, and healing — not because travel is a cure‑all, but because it offers a unique psychological space where we can see ourselves differently.

If you’re curious about the why behind your travel experiences — why certain places move you, why some trips feel restorative while others feel overwhelming, why being away from home can shift long‑held patterns — you’re in the right place.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a new series of content that blends clinical psychology with real‑world travel experience, including some special guest contributions. Our aim is to help you understand yourself more deeply through the lens of travel — and to offer thoughtful, credible guidance for anyone seeking transformation, clarity, or simply a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

I’m glad you’re here.

Dr Charlotte x