At Calgary BR Tech (CBRT), our mission has always been to support the Brazilian professional community in Calgary, but we know that success in a new country requires more than just technical skills. On April 20, 2026, we gathered at the Platform Innovation Centre for a deeply moving session titled “Dores e Recursos Emocionais do Imigrante“ (Emotional Pains and Resources of the Immigrant). Led by psychoanalyst and clinical therapist Leonardo Cordonis, the event provided a safe space for us to explore the invisible emotional challenges that accompany the immigration journey, from identity crises to the weight of our own expectations.
One of the most profound concepts Leonardo introduced was “Migratory Grief” (Luto Migratório), which he described as a symbolic death of the identity we held in Brazil. When we move, we lose the external references that sustained our sense of “self”—our favorite bars, our childhood friends, and even the professional status we spent years building. This loss can create a sense of void and “unbelonging” that is often dismissed as mere adaptation. Leonardo emphasized that recognizing this grief is the first step toward building a new, integrated identity that honors our past while embracing our new life in Canada.
The presentation also tackled the common confusion between anxiety and “accelerated thought.” In the fast-paced life of an immigrant, our minds are often in a state of cognitive hyperactivity, jumping from deadlines to future worries without pause. Leonardo clarified that while anxiety is an emotion signaling a perceived danger, accelerated thought is a pattern caused by excessive stimuli and a lack of mental rest. Understanding this distinction helps us realize that we aren’t always “sick”; sometimes, we are simply overwhelmed by the demands of starting over, and we must give ourselves the “right to rest”.
Loneliness was another central theme, but Leonardo challenged the idea that it is simply the absence of people. Instead, he defined it as an internal feeling of being “invisible” or “without a place,” especially when language barriers make us feel like a “ghost” in a group. This feeling is often exacerbated by the “Perfect Immigrant” myth, where we feel a constant need to prove that our choice to move was the right one. We carry a sense of debt to the family we left behind, leading to a “Super Ego” that refuses to let us fail or even complain about the difficulties we face.
To combat these “invisible pains,” Leonardo highlighted the power of speech and community. The psychoanalytic approach focuses on “curing through speech,” allowing us to organize our internal chaos by putting it into words. Beyond individual therapy, he encouraged seeking support circles and building new, authentic relationships where we can be vulnerable. He noted that while it is tempting to stay within a “mini-Brazil,” true integration requires the proactivity to explore new hobbies and connect with the local culture, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Events like these are vital because they remind the CBRT community that we are not alone in our struggles. While we are a tech-focused group, we believe that a strong support network is the most powerful emotional resource for anyone starting over. By providing a platform for these conversations, Calgary BR Tech plays a crucial role in ensuring that our members are not only technically prepared for the Canadian market but also emotionally resilient. We are committed to fostering a space where Brazilian professionals can find the human connection and mutual support needed to thrive in their new home.
Summary
The presentation titled “Dores e Recursos Emocionais do Imigrante” (Emotional Pains and Resources of the Immigrant), hosted by Calgary BR Tech (CBRT) on April 20, 2026, at the Platform Innovation Centre, focused on the often-invisible psychological challenges of building a life abroad. Led by psychoanalyst and clinical therapist Leonardo Cordonis, the event aimed to provide Brazilian immigrants with a safe space to discuss mental health, adaptation, and the “symbolic death” of their previous identities.
Leonardo began by grounding the discussion in psychoanalysis, a therapeutic method founded by Sigmund Freud that focuses on the unconscious. He explained that our minds are governed by internal structures—the Id, Ego, and Super-Ego—that often conflict. This internal tension is frequently the root of symptoms like anxiety and guilt, as the Super-Ego acts as a “mental executioner,” enforcing strict cultural and familial expectations that immigrants struggle to meet in a new environment.
A central theme of the presentation was “Migratory Grief” (Luto Migratório). Leonardo described this as the loss of the external references that previously sustained an individual’s sense of self, such as childhood friends, familiar places, and even professional status. When these references disappear, the immigrant experiences a sense of void and “unbelonging,” which is a form of symbolic death that must be mourned before a new identity can be integrated.
This grief often leads to a profound identity crisis. Many immigrants move from being established professionals in Brazil (e.g., a director or doctor) to starting at “zero” in entry-level jobs in Canada, leading to feelings of shame, inferiority, or regression. Leonardo noted that even language contributes to this, as limited English proficiency can make adults feel like “babies” or “ghosts” who are unable to fully express their intelligence or personality.
The speaker also clarified the distinction between anxiety and “accelerated thought.” While anxiety is an emotion signaling a perceived danger and is accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, accelerated thought is a cognitive pattern. In the high-stimulus environment of immigration—juggling deadlines, permits, and new rules—the mind often enters a state of hyperactivity that leads to mental exhaustion and the feeling that one “does not have the right to rest”.
Loneliness was redefined not just as a lack of company, but as an internal feeling of being “invisible” or “without a place”. Leonardo explained that many immigrants feel a “nostalgia for themselves,” missing the person they were in Brazil. This isolation is exacerbated when individuals try to appear “perfectly adapted” to avoid worrying their families, which prevents them from seeking the authentic support they need.
The presentation also tackled guilt and the “perfect immigrant” myth. Many feel a crushing sense of debt to the family they left behind or a need to constantly justify their choice to move. This creates a “Super-Ego” that refuses to allow for failure or rest, as the individual feels they must prove every day that their sacrifice was worth it.
Leonardo introduced a counter-intuitive psychoanalytic concept regarding “lack” (falta). He explained that a feeling of incompleteness is a structural part of being human and is actually the source of desire, which drives us to move and achieve. Rather than trying to eliminate this feeling of “missing something,” immigrants should make peace with it, recognizing that total satisfaction is impossible and that their “lack” is what motivates their new life in Canada.
To address these challenges, Leonardo emphasized the “cure through speech” (análise). By putting their internal chaos into words, immigrants can make their anguish more “digestible” and organized. He encouraged the audience to be vulnerable and to investigate the deeper roots of their symptoms, which often trace back to childhood experiences or family dynamics that are triggered by the stresses of immigration.
Practical resources mentioned included developing new identity references and proactive social integration. Leonardo advised against staying in a “mini-Brazil” bubble and instead encouraged immigrants to explore local hobbies and cultures, even when it feels uncomfortable. He stressed that building a new identity is a long-term process that requires humility and an openness to new, authentic relationships.
The speaker also announced a new partnership with the Brazilian Association (BCA-AB) to provide therapeutic benefits to its members. He highlighted the importance of support networks, noting that while therapy is essential, simply belonging to a community where one feels seen and understood is a powerful emotional resource.
In conclusion, the event underscored that Calgary BR Tech is more than a technical group; it is a community focused on the human connection and mutual support necessary for thriving abroad. By providing a platform for these deep conversations, CBRT ensures that Brazilian professionals are not only technically equipped for the Canadian market but also emotionally resilient enough to navigate the complexities of their new journey.
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