Therapy

My role as a mental health counselor is that of a helper and a partner in your journey of change: to heal and grow and accomplish your personal goals. I take a holistic approach, looking at inner, emotional, spiritual, physical, and behavioural health.

I have a passion for working with women, men, and teens from age 16 up who struggle with a wide variety of issues such as: Depression and other mood disorders; Anxiety disorders; PTSD; Developmental / complex trauma; Relationship struggles; Trust issues; Self-esteem issues, imposter syndrome; Grief and loss; Adjustment / Transition issues; Stress; Anger management; Existential issues, purpose; Fear of dying; Exploring spirituality; Unexplainable pains and aches in the body; Feeling chronically tired; General sense of malaise and anything that blocks you from thriving and living to your full potential.

Having grown up in the Netherlands from Indonesian parents of Chinese heritage, I have a natural understanding of cross-cultural issues and questions surrounding one’s identity that arise from being from two different cultures, and living in a third.

I have been living an expat life since 1994, and understand firsthand the issues that expats are faced with – be they the trailing spouses or the working expat professionals.

Only later in my career did I come into the mental health field, which was over 15 years ago when I decided to go back to school and get a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I have a broad experience of corporate, entrepreneurial, voluntary, and humanitarian work. Looking back, they have all provided me with experiences that help me relate with people from many walks of life.

My approach to therapy is mostly based on attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology: I see people developing through relationships. I look at what is happening in client’s relationships and I look at what is happening internally. I very much take my clients’ nervous systems into the sessions – based on Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory. I am optimistic about human potential and take a developmental view: building on people’s strengths and resources. If faith is a resource for you I can integrate spirituality into our work irrespective of your religious orientation or spiritual practice.

I also believe that every body has resources. By learning to (re) connect fully with our bodies, by learning the language of our felt sense, by embodying ourselves fully in the present moment, we can begin to tap into our body’s wisdom and find solid ground. Therefore, I often integrate somatic elements in my approach, especially when dealing with trauma and trauma related disorders.

I am very interested in the field of trauma and I closely follow the work of renowned trauma experts Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, and Peter Levine. I also use a Brainspotting: a body-brain-based relational therapy that was developed by Dr. David Grand to help clients with trauma and trauma based disorders. Brainspotting has truly revolutionised the way I work with my clients.

My learning is an ongoing journey which is also required to maintain my certification with the National Board of Certified Counselors in the United States.

EDUCATION

M.Sc. Mental Health Counseling (University of Massachusetts, MA, USA)
M.A. Culture, Organization and Management (VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

LICENSE / PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

U.S. National Board of Certified Counselors #258798 (NBCC)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
Malaysian Marriage and Family Therapy Association (MyMFT)

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

I have received training / obtained additional qualifications in:
Brainspotting phase 1,2, 3, and intensive Brainspotting and am a Brainspotting Consultant
Discernment counseling
EMDR I
Systemic Therapy
Trauma therapy
Existential therapy
Somatic Experiencing: Introduction, level 1, Somatic Experiencing interventions with children

LANGUAGES

Dutch (native), English (fluent), and working knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia, German, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese.

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