
About Tess
My name is Tess, a psychologist from Amsterdam, specialised in transpersonal psychotherapy, which is a form of inner child work and somatic healing.
I worked in mental health care for many years, where I gained experience in treating depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, burn-out and relationship problems. After working in different clinics in the Netherlands and abroad, I decided to start my own practice.
A holistic practice.
I noticed during my work a deep need for a more holistic approach in health care. It’s not just our minds that need clarity; our bodies have a story that needs to be told, too.
My holistic approach means that there’s nothing wrong with us, we just haven’t been able to process some experiences in a natural way. Therapy can be a safe environment to do so.
As a therapist, I see myself as a guide who’s helping to support you in remembering who you truly are and to help you connect to your authentic self by exploring your feelings and thoughts.
All the answers are already inside of you.
Where did you get stuck and what patterns do you want to change? I have full trust in the fact that all the answers are found within you - in your body, but sometimes we lose the way. Finding the way back towards yourself, that’s where I can support you.
In therapy I always try to create a warm, safe environment, where everything that arises may exist. I listen without judgement, with respect for your story, where there is space for lightness and humor.
My background
Over a decade, I’ve explored the deeper layers of the human mind and for a couple of years I’m also integrating the body. During my work, I explored that psychology is often very focused on the mind, but the body is communicating with us as well.
Experiences from our past, both safe and unsafe are stored in our bodies. This feels like blockages and contractions. Our mind isn’t always aware of those, but the body knows exactly how to release and resolve them; only too often we’re standing in its way!
I believe that there’s more than just talking-therapy and that a deeper way of healing can be found in integrating the body, who’s remembering it all and knows how to heal.
Through body-oriented therapy, breathwork and yoga I learned how to help people to release and integrate their pain and difficult patterns they’re struggling with.
I worked in various clinics, gave trainings and therapy abroad and gave monthly workshops about different themes. My work is always about finding out who you truly are and connecting with the world around you.
To express my thoughts about holistic psychology I also started my online platform Little Soul Search. I write from a holistic perspective that’s universal.
What connects us is our nature: our emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and physical sensations. But also our patterns, mechanisms, pain and habits. All of you. Deep down we’re all the same, but our way to healing is unique.
As a psychologist I have trained in transpersonal psychotherapy, inner-child work, somatic healing and currently using breathwork.
..and more to come, because the deeper we explore ourselves, the more we’ll notice how we might need different tools and practices to grow.
I hope that my work will support you in exploring and embracing yourself in a loving way. That it reminds you of your authentic self and that it supports you into cultivating a nourishing relationship with yourself.
Studies & Development
Psychology MSc. Clinical Psychology for over 8 years experience in various mental health clinics. I worked with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulnessbased Therapy and grouptherapy.
Transpersonal Therapy - Boswijk Instituut, where I specialize in Gestalt-therapy, inner child work, psychosynthesis, bio-energetics and body-oriented therapy.
Yin Yoga Teacher Training - Goa, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and teaching Yin Yoga.
Life is Now: connected breathing - Ademwerk
Emotion Coaching - Emotie Expertise Centrum
Vipassana silent retreat - Australia
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - See True
Experiences
“
Tess helped me navigating a tough year filler with anxiety and emotions, by allowing me to feel everything that needed to be felt and providing me with gentle guidance. She helped me with feeling more present in the moment, recognizing internal patterns that were not serving me and how to change them so they would help me rather than hold me back; most importantly she helped reconnect with a very important relationship: the one I have with myself! I am deeply grateful she was able to be a part of this journey with me.
— Anna (26)
“
Tess is a warm-hearted, calm and thoughtful therapist who made me feel comfortable from the very first session. The ten sessions I had with her were intense in a positive way and helped me to better understand my own triggers and responses, and to feel safe when expressing my emotions. Seven months later, I still practice some of the exercises that she showed me. I'm very grateful to Tess for guiding me to find - and utilise - my voice again. Thank you <3
— Nicole (30)
“
My confidence in the workplace has gotten so much better! I know how to connect to myself and can deal much better with anxiety.
”
— Sarah (34)
“
I let anxiety take over my life for too long. Now I have the strength and awareness to take care of my emotions.
”
— Steve (29)
Questions about therapy?
Please contact me!