A Short Introduction

 

I am affiliated with the practice "Psychologen op Zuid" in Amsterdam.

From 2017 to May 2024 my counseling focused on women and their partners in acute, life-changing events; such as pregnancy loss, death at birth, complex pregnancy diagnostics and the period after pre-term birth from 24 weeks. I counseled people from around the world in Amsterdam's UMC and the OLVG hospitals. Despite people's  diverse backgrounds I saw a universal need for support during personal challenges and grief in loss.   

I was the medical social worker in a special multi-disciplinary team at the "Emma Children's Hospital" supporting seriously ill children and their families in the hospital and in the home environment.

Throughout these years I continued my education and development through a number of postgraduate courses to become a psychosocial therapist.

I have lived and worked in Paris for 8 years and that's where I first developed my interest in human needs.  As a volunteer, I cared for  patients with HIV during the early 90's, at a time when they were suffering in isolation.

I've been living with my partner for twenty-five years and we have two young adult children. 

I work in Dutch, English and French.  

Treatments & coaching

 

I can work with you in my studio office or via video conferencing.

 

These are some of the issues I specialize in:

  • Grief and loss; including experienced loss of autonomy through illness, experienced loss of perspective through life-threatening illness, and loss related to life stage
  • Expats' challenges; being distanced from the support of family and friends; and navigating the Dutch customs
  • Stress and burn-out
  • Anxiety and mild depression

 

Some of the forms of therapy I use are:

  • ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; a form of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy).
    The ACT model consists of 6 pillars:
  1. Acceptance:           making space for unpleasant and painful emotional experiences
  2. Defusion:                unhooking from your thoughts so they do not overwhelm you
  3. The self:                  being flexible with your self-image by learning to experience that you are                                                                                     much more than a fixed idea of yourself
  4. Here and now:       focusing attention on all of your senses in the moment
  5. Values:                    figuring out what really matters to you; to guide you like a compass
  6. Dedicated action:  doing purposefully what is necessary to live a rich and meaningful life                                                
  • HeartMath: a form of biofeedback via a sensor that measures heart rate during a guided breathing technique and visualization exercise, providing insight into how breathing and cognition influence our stress system
  • Psychodrama: spontaneous dramatization of inner feelings

Way of working

Registration

To register go to the"CONTACT" tab and fill out the form. After that, I will reach out to you by e-mail or phone.

Our first conversation is free of charge and will last approximately  fifteen minutes.

The goal of this conversation is to get a sense of what your needs are, and if I can provide the help you want. 

 

Intake

It takes one or two sessions to clarify your needs and treatment goals. The resulting treatment plan is a guideline for future sessions, and can be adapted along the way.

 

Treatment
The therapy or coaching sessions last on average 60 minutes. 

My approach is an active work style both conversation-based and experiential. So not only talking and thinking, but also feeling and experiencing.

In situations of grief, however, the sessions are mainly focused on support and processing.

 

Practicing at home

I also ask you to do simple home exercises between sessions. Only in our personal lives, between sessions, can a change take place. 

 

Practice days 
Friday: at the practice/studio office "Psychologen op Zuid" Nijenburg 2B, 1081 GG, Amsterdam

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: appointments available in another location in Amsterdam Watergraafsmeer.

 

Rates

Costs and reimbursement

  • There is no reimbursement available through Health Insurers.
  • Therapy sessions are 100 euros per session of 60 minutes including my time for preparation and reporting.
  • Coaching sessions are 100 euros per session including my time for preparation and reporting of 60 minutes plus 21% VAT.
  • Appointments can be cancelled and rescheduled up to 24 hours in advance. For an appointment not kept (no show) or   cancelled late, 50 euros will be charged.
  • For corporate sessions, an adjusted rate applies and a separate offer will be made.