When I grow up…

From the moment I started out as a babysitter during my high school years and later working as a nanny, I knew for sure: my purpose later in life had to consist of working with children and their parents. Being a good parent is the most important, yet one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Parenting is often expected to run smoothly, even though it is performed alongside many other roles and without much training or feedback. Not to mention the increasing pressure society imposes on children.

Whilst observing local and expat families around me, I regularly noticed that they benefited from a bit of extra support. Consequently, problems were prevented and, as a result, created room for growth. That ‘bit of extra support’ was something I wanted to become.

A wealth of experience

After studying educational and developmental psychology, I started working in child and adolescent psychology and psychiatry. This seemed to be the place where I could gather the most diverse experience. And so it turned out to be. I was able to greatly expand my knowledge in regards to the field of psychology and psychiatry and learned largely about the pros and cons of internal and external hierarchical organization structures.

To become further acquainted with relatively less challenging situations, I worked as a freelance psychologist for private practices. In addition, to gain further practical experience in the field of education, I worked as a school psychologist within kindergarten, junior, middle, and high schools, since children spend a great amount of their time at school, and teachers, adjacent to parents, also play a big role in the development of a child. 

My own practice

Whilst working in child and adolescent psychology and psychiatry, I started my own practice. More than ever, I was motivated to prevent rather than cure. I gathered a substantial amount of knowledge whilst traveling and working as a nanny. I have also encountered highly positive and challenging experiences during my studies and career, and these have provided me with a very clear view on ‘what works’, and, equally as important, what doesn’t.

Based on the above, I nowadays work full-time for my own practice. My personal interest in and extensive experience with many different cultures make it a true gift and pleasure to be able to work with local families, as well as the expat community.

Over the years, I’ve only become more enthusiastic about my profession: I keep perceiving children as being the most remarkable little, yet big miracles and have great respect for all parents who, on a daily basis, make an effort to complete their tasks to the best of their capabilities. Moreover, when it is needed and wanted, I provide them with a ‘bit of extra support’.