My story

“I grew up outside the Netherlands as the youngest sibling of four. I was nine when my family moved to Hong Kong, where my father had accepted a position. After six years in the Far East, I graduated from pre-university education in Brussels and signed up for a Hotel Management Bachelor program. I obtained my degree in 1994. Eager to spend some time abroad, I enrolled in a Chinese course in Taipei, Taiwan. On completion of this course, I accepted a position as a Guest Relations Manager and returned to the Netherlands a year later. Back home, I worked as a TV Producer and as Event Manager at various venues and eventually started my own event agency, inPetto. I ran inPetto with my business partner for seven years, then sold my share of the company and embarked on a round-the-world trip with my partner and our then two-year-old son. A month on our way, we found out that I was pregnant. We decided to continue traveling and our second baby was born in Santiago de Chili, two days after one of the most devastating earthquakes in the century. I felt the new life inside me and at the same time experienced mortal fear. These experiences are described in my book ‘Zwanger in 13 landen’ (Pregnant in 13 Countries).

Upon our return, I swapped my flip-flops for high heels and suit again: We simply had to earn a living as we had spent all our money traveling. Around the same time, I came across the fascinating legacy of C.G. Jung. Jung views the personality as a whole consisting of the I, the conscious, the subconscious, of complexes and the collective unconscious – anyway, summarizing Jung in one sentence will never do him justice.

This wealth of experiences and impulses brought to the surface a dream I had cherished deep inside for a long time: a longing to follow my inner voice. While putting on my corporate suit, I heard a voice inside tell me to ‘Don’t go!’

I took a long and hard look at the picture of my life and started realizing that I had spent the past twenty-five years avoiding the question “Is this what I’m supposed to do here?” My work did not give me satisfaction. I wanted my existence to be meaningful, to make a difference in other people’s lives; I wanted to do good and give back to the world.

My passion has always been traveling – not just exploring the world but also, or perhaps even more so, the adventure of exploring the soul.

So what happened next? I quit my job as a Senior Event Manager, bade all my securities farewell and started to follow professional coaching courses. One of my main principles is not judging, not leading but supporting: Self-direction instead of advice.

I trust that whatever I need and want will come my way. This is something I have done throughout my life and it brought me all the way to professional coaching. As a result, I am able to relax more and I experience the joys in life more intensely.

I am inspired by the growth and the new insights that others gain, to discover our true essence.

My Studies:

• Jungian Analytical Therapy
• Coaching Academy International (accredited coaching course)
• Organization and Family Constellations (accredited course)
• Chakra Psychology & Physical Wisdom

Therapist as a profession
Therapy is not currently a protected profession, which means there is a wide variety of therapist and coaches offering their services. I have been trained as a coach at a number of accredited coaching institutes and as an analytical therapist at the Jung Academy Amsterdam. I continue to develop both personally and professionally. This means I can provide myself and my clients with professional, expert care.

I am a member of Jungian Analytical therapy foundation and member of  CAT. My sessions are subject to the CAT Code of Ethical Conduct.