Psychotherapy

I offer psychotherapeutic care. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment in which conversations between the therapist and the client play an important role. The aim is to confront your problems in such a way that they become more manageable or even disappear.

In my practice I focus on treatment of mental problems, including:

• Depression
• Fear
• Trauma
• Panic attacks
• Physical symptoms caused by stress, including fatigue, back pain or head aches
• Personality issues

Many of my clients feel that their problems to a considerable extent shape who they are. They experience the impact in their work and in their daily life, or when starting or ending relationships. Also, their personal growth and functioning in society are hampered, or they may even suffer a break-down.

If you are confronted with similar problems and wish to start looking for a solution, you are welcome to engage in therapy in my practice. We will together take on the problems you are experiencing, while also paying attention to personality aspects or events that may have caused or deteriorated these problems.

I primarily work with clients with a SGGZ (specialised mental health care) indication. When a client receives this label, this indicates the presence of complex problems.

My practice does not include:

• Extensive psychological testing
• 24-hour care
• Imminent risk of suicide
• Substance abuse problems
• Chronic psychiatric problems

My vision on psychotherapy evolves around the client. For me, clients do not represent standard diagnoses from the mental disorders manual. Every human being has an individual background, character traits and wishes. This individual perspective is leading in my therapeutic treatment. It is very important to me that as a client, you feel that you are heard and seen and that you feel safe, which enables you to discuss your problems with me.

My profession as a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist entails an obligation to maintain confidentiality. This means that you can be assured that whatever you share with me, will stay between the walls of my practice room.

We will jointly examine your problems in one or more intake sessions. Questions that will be addressed include: What are the issues that you are dealing with? How does this hinder you in daily life? What could the causes be? Which solutions and therapies are available? Which of these would be suitable for you and your situation?

Together we discuss whether to start therapy and how to approach the therapeutic sessions. If you agree to start therapy, I will draw up a treatment plan in consultation with you. This plan contains the diagnosis and the therapy forms that we have agreed on.

In rare cases, the intake sessions show that a person would be better off elsewhere. When such a situation occurs, I will refer you to a more suitable treatment option.

In my view, mental issues, such as depression or fear, are an entry point into personal growth. This growth can take various shapes, which are different for each individual. For instance, some of my clients may develop a greater sense of self-acceptance. Others may be able to let go of experiences that are weighing them down, or feel more connected with themselves and with others. Many of my clients discover which are the values that are really important in their life. This insight usually brings them into a better position to align their actions with those values.

In my therapeutic treatment I make use of various interventions. These are part of person centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy and systemic therapy, among others. EMDR therapy is also among the interventions I offer. Further, I make use of creative writing and drawing assignments. In addition, I use therapy methods that are based on mindfulness. There is also room for existential questions, issues of meaningfulness and spirituality.