Background
I grew up on a beautiful apple farm in South Africa and qualified as a counselling psychologist at Stellenbosch University. After completing my professional internship at a hospital community practice and student counselling center, I registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council for South Africa) as a Counselling Psychologist.
I moved to Amsterdam with my husband in 1999 for what was initially an “adventure in Europe”. We have since expanded our family and have two lovely children and a dog. Our lives, friendships and careers and have settled in the Netherlands. I am an avid reader and have a passion for cooking.
While slowly mastering Dutch I worked in large multinationals, firstly as an HR advisor and later as an employee counsellor and coach. In this capacity I have focused on helping individuals and teams manage problems in the workplace or in the interplay between work and private life. I am also trained in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), NLP, CBT, narrative and solution focused coaching. I speak fluent English and Dutch.
I set up my own practice in 2008 and joined Shared Ambition as a franchisee. I constantly look for new ways of approach my work. As such my coaching and psychological theories have been formed by various approaches and I could best describe my work style as eclectic. The most important determinant in how I work is you – and the collaborative relationship we enter to best address your needs.
Chasing meaning in your life is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort
"Pay it Forward"
I strongly believe in passing on our good fortune to others. When I started working in the professional setting, where I was able to coach individuals who have the opportunity and means to grow and develop with the support of a coach, I decided that I’d like to pass this privilege forward to those who do not have access to this kind of help and support.
My practice financially supports three projects in South Africa. About 80% of my profits have gone to these three organisations in the last 5 years. They all have a personal connection to my life, are either run by dear friends or mentors, or directly provide educational support and opportunities for children whose circumstances of poverty or lack of opportunity would otherwise inhibit them. Indirectly this means that each client who chooses to work with me also contributes to the growth, development and wellbeing of someone in South Africa. Should you want to help me support them in any other way please contact me.
Siphila Sonke
is a non-profit organisation active in an informal settlement in Grabouw, the community I grew up in. Siphila Sonke supports families and children by providing food parcels, after school care and other stimulating programs. Their vision is to provide support for those needing to regain their health, dignity and confidence, so that they may resume their role in the community.
Good Hope Psychological Service
also has a personal link as one of their founders, Elsabe Broekman, was a supervisor during my internship at what would later become GHPS. This passionate team provides free psychotherapy and support to families and individuals in the Stellenbosch and Paarl area. They need support in financing their internship and staff positions as well as other practical needs which they list on their website.
Rhenish Girls’ High School
I had the privilege of attending Rhenish Girls’ High School myself and hope to enable children who do not have the financial, or other, means to attend this caliber high school. Many things we take for granted – time to study, a desk and good lighting, an environment that values education are some examples of what it takes, beyond ability and finances, to achieve a good education. Luckily I know an angel who has a huge hart for providing love and mentorship to children alongside her own. In collaboration with this dear friend I help support a student to attend, and succeed, in completing high school.