Gestalt Therapy private practice in Amsterdam’s city centre.

Get a deeper understanding of what Gestalt is all about.

Embodiment.

In daily life we might refer to body and mind as separate entities, denying the wholeness of our being. Your body has a “knowing” too. Even the disowned, disregulated parts of our bodies, or the illnesses we might experience we tend to see as a burden have messages in them.

In my practice I focus on seeing all of you: body, mind and our environment work together like the mycelium of big trees. Not to burden us, or make our lives harder, but to show us specifically what is needed to live the best we know how in that moment. Think about it; what did your headache tell you the other day? You worked to hard? You were at capacity? Whatever it is, your body is a part of you- experiencing life.

Growing awareness over our embodied self, is a way to be in sync with our biggest needs. To live with more freedom and a greater sense of direction.

Experiential & Relational.

We perceive the world through our experiences. Our choices and connections stem from this. When we struggle to choose a path, it often signals unresolved issues from the past. This "stuckness" guides our relationships, revealing unfinished business. A lack of support or acknowledgment may have hindered our healing. The pain we wish to escape teaches us to navigate our experiences, regain support, and create a new reality, allowing past stories to fade and lose their hold on our lives.

Sharing experiences of life, make them easier to detect. Things out of the past that our in our way to live our best lives, can go back to the background. And knowing you can be supported in new experiences will help navigate.

Existential & phenomenology.

In therapy, I focus on understanding a person’s life from their perspective. I explore their experiences and feelings. When we stay present in the moment, deeper thoughts about life and death often come up—thoughts we usually don’t express.

This deeper understanding brings a calmness and a wider view, where time feels less important. It allows to truly connect with others without trying to fix or be anything—just being present with what exists.

How often do we create space to discuss important life topics? I believe in making time for those conversations.

Human relating & our environment.

I don’t think any experience we have, or any mental health problem, can be seen separate from the world that we live in. Everything we do, we do relating to others around us. Even isolating yourself, always has a relational reason, all though it might not look like it at first glance.

I am a firm believer that mental health is a societal issue, and that we as a society could do a lot more to connect, nurture and restore connection with each other. The high incline in mental health waiting lists, I think is a sign of a post-capitalist, individualistic world. People suffering from anxiety is on a high rise, and all though people go to their individual therapies, it makes a lot of sense to me.

What looks as a problem or an issue, is actually functional behaviour in a challenging situation.

No tips & tricks: awareness is the key.

I understand it when someone comes in with a big need for some clarity, some grip, a structure or maybe even a clear three-stap solution. Really, I find myself there every now and again.

Only to realize; I have to stay with the trouble before I can move forward. Because there is important information that got lost somewhere because of business, lack of time or attention. Whatever it is, it is here, now, so let’s hear it out the best we can.

Because; what you resist, persists.

If you really are caught by a sad movie, the bulge in your throat won’t go away if you push it away. Your need to cry will only be bigger and bigger, until you can’t hold it anymore.

So what if we together find a way to let it happen without the overwhelm?

All inclusive.

I see people from all different backgrounds, professions, abilities, neurodivergence, ages, gender- and sexual orientations.

Especially in these dark times of far right movements, I want to specify that I will remain human and continue to grow and learn about all the systems that I am a part off.

I love working from intersectionality, understanding a multitude of identities that we are. I also think some of the old therapy ways are outdated and Euro-centric.

So my answer to anyone’s suffering, isn’t always therapy. It’s human relating, it’s understanding our bodies, it’s understanding our ancestors, it’s nurturing nature and more importantly it’s building communities with humbleness.