About me
Finding yourself can be very tricky, I know that from experience. Even with my background in psychology, I had trouble with it in my own life and ran into a wall both personally and professionally. A couple of years ago I ended up with a body-oriented therapist. I discovered how important it is to include the body. I knew all the psychological theories, but had no idea how to get in touch with myself. All the thoughts running through my head were standing in my way. I’ve learned the importance of rewiring the way I look at my thoughts and of listening to my body.
Aside from a therapist, I found a career coach. Our sessions took place outside, walking through the forest. It gave me a moment of quietude, which helped with organizing my thoughts and looking at my situation from a distance. The exercises in nature were so powerful I can still clearly remember them, years later. It was after our very first walk that I sighed: ‘you’ve got such a beautiful job’. During those sessions I developed insights into what is important to me in my job. It felt like heaven to be able to do the work I was already doing, but while walking through nature.
I have a degree in developmental psychology, focused on children and adolescents. I started my career as a developmental psychologist within the education system. In later jobs my focus shifted to adults, from people just on the crisp of adulthood to ones who’ve been around for quite some years. Currently I counsel people from 8 to 80 years old. Over the last few years, I’ve mostly worked with expats, which has provided me with extensive experience in working with people with diverse cultural backgrounds.
I'm very interested in how we as people are moulded into who we are today. Not to be able to point the finger, but to be able to understand ourselves. I believe looking at the past is only valuable when it helps us move forward in the now, in the direction of the future we envision for ourselves. Understanding ourselves can help us break old patterns.
As a coach/psychologist, I help people make connections between various events and between thoughts and feelings. I find it very satisfying to see people grow to understand themselves more and more and learn how to accept who they are in that moment, while taking small steps in the direction of what matters to them. And I get to do it all with nature as my office! A boon for my clients, but for me as well. A true win-win.
Education
2008 Bachelor Psychology
2009 Master Developmental psychology
2024 Basic Course ACT
2025 Postbaccalaureate Walking Coach
2025 Focused ACT
NOBCO
As walking coach I am affiliated with NOBCO - Nederlandse Orde van Beroepscoaches.
Hereby I sign the Global Code of Ethics.
EMCC
Aside from my affiliation with NOBCO, I am a practitioner level EMCC (European Mentoring & Coaching Council) accredited coach.
NIP
As psychologist I am affiliated with the NIP - Nederlands Instituut van Psychologen.
I hereby sign the professional code for psychologists.
If you feel like I have broken any of the above codes, I would appreciate it if you would first come to me with your concerns. If we can’t work it out together, you can file a complaint here (website in Dutch).