How I Work

My Therapeutic Approach

In-person therapy for expats navigating grief and life transitions living in Leiden. Telehealth services offered throughout Europe.

It's important to me that we focus on what's happening now in your life that is causing emotional distress. I'll ask a lot of questions about your current circumstances, career, important relationships, and goals for your time in therapy with me.

I also believe that how we grew up significantly impacts who we are today. We will talk about your family, the grown-ups in your life when you were young, your siblings, and what your childhood was like. The goal of this early life exploration is not to blame caregivers for things that may have happened, but to begin to build a cohesive narrative or "life story".

I draw on several approaches depending on what you may need:

  • Psychodynamic: talking about the past and your family because it helps explain your present

  • Humanistic: I believe you have everything you need inside you to grow

  • Existential: we explore big questions, meaning, identity, and what matters

  • Internal Family Systems: we look at different "parts" that sometimes pull in different directions

Services I Offer

My therapeutic training allows me to work with individuals, couples, and groups.

Individual therapy is a great option for those who want to talk about their early childhood, current life circumstances, and hopes for the future. It is best suited for those who may be wondering why they do the things they do, feel the things they feel, or think the things they think. It is a good place to explore deep emotions and uncover relational patterns.

Couples therapy is a great option for those who feel lonely in their partnership, have “perpetual problems” that they continue experiencing conflict about, are moving through a transition, or may be in crisis. In my work with couples I aim to help people speak to one another in a more emotionally connected way. I incorporate techniques from Gottman Therapy, Imago Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Group therapy is a great option for those who want to accelerate their therapeutic journey and might be ready for more real-time practice (e.g. naming emotions, noticing behaviors, or giving feedback in the moment). Clients in therapy groups often report feeling grateful to find out they are not the only one struggling with an issue. This sense of decreased loneliness can be incredibly healing.

If you are not sure which therapy type is right for you, reach out via email (info@agcinternational.nl) or book a free discovery call so we can get to know each other better. I’d be glad to make a recommendation based on what I learn about you at that time.

The Practicalities

I meet with clients on a weekly basis. In my experience, weekly sessions create the consistency needed to build a strong working relationship and make meaningful progress. Sessions are 50 minutes long.

I see clients in person in Leiden and via telehealth throughout Europe. I also work with U.S. based clients in the state of Tennessee, where I am licensed.

I choose not to work with insurance companies because they often do not provide reimbursement for the type of long-term work that I do with clients. I also prefer not to have any external influences on the way that I work with people, allowing for full autonomy of my clinical judgment. European clients are encouraged to check whether their plan covers out-of-network services and may be able to submit receipts toward their deductible. For U.S. based clients I can provide a superbill to submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.

I ask clients to commit to four consecutive sessions at the outset of our work together to determine if we are a good match for one another. If I am not the best person to meet your needs I will tell you honestly and refer you to someone who can.

Who Tends to Find Me

A historic Dutch-style windmill next to a canal, with a bridge, houses, and trees in a small town setting on a cloudy day.

  • In our work together we might explore

    • The grief of what is left behind (friends, routines, a familiar version of yourself)

    • The disorientation of arrival (who you are when your context changes completely)

    • The particular challenges of raising children amidst multiple cultural influences

    • Building an enduring sense of self and belonging

Pregnancy and postpartum therapy in Leiden via telehealth for expats and English speaking clients.

  • In our work together we might explore

    • The anxiety and uncertainty that comes with new parenthood

    • The gap between what you expected to feel and what you actually feel

    • How becoming a parent reshapes your sense of identity

    • Grief related to your pre-baby self, a birth experience that didn’t go as planned, or other relevant parts of the transition

    • Learning to continue to prioritize your own needs

A black and white photo of a man in athletic clothing crouching on a polished wooden floor, possibly preparing for a dance or athletic performance.

  • In our work together we might explore

    • Grief for the sport, the community, and the structure it provided

    • How to relate to your body now that performance is no longer the goal

    • Building a sense of purpose and direction beyond athletics

    • The particular loneliness of leaving something that defined you

Mid-life crisis therapy in Leiden and via telehealth for expats and English speaking clients navigating grief, identity, and uncertainty.

  • In our work together we might explore

    • The gap between the life you imagined and the life you are living

    • Questions of meaning, purpose, and what you value

    • Grief for paths not taken, relationships that have changed, or a younger version of yourself

    • Navigating major transitions such as divorce, career change, children leaving home, or aging parents

    • Building an identity that fits this new life stage

Get In Touch

Interested in working together? Fill out some information and I’ll get back to you within 24 business hours. Or, click here to set up a free introductory phone call.