Psychotherapy and Art Therapy
Expats Specialist
Psychotherapy is talk therapy and requires no motor functions to participate in the therapeutic process. However, the use of motor and sensory functions in a therapeutic process can serve as a supplementary non-verbal mean of communication between the client and the practitioner. Art Therapy can further help to stimulate important parts of the brain, and, thereby, facilitate involvement in the therapeutic process more easily, more naturally, and more fully, as with Art Therapy. Traditional Art Therapy also uses talk therapy, along with visual/motor/sensory functions either to facilitate communication and move easily into brain function, via visual/spatial/ motor/sensory involvement. Using the arts in psychotherapy is an emerging field that has gained international acceptance. It requires post graduate studies that involve a significant portion of psychotherapy courses and practice. Practicing requires often accreditation from local associations and councils. Clinical Art Therapy requires procedures similar to psychotherapy such as customer confidentiality and supervision.
Being an expat myself in the last 18 years I have been working primarily with expat clients. Both my PhD research and my Masters' dissertation are written on the topic of understanding the uniqueness of stress related to expatriation and on optimizing treatment.
Through my work and personal experience, I also learned that employers, surrounding society and local support systems are often not familiar with the challenges, either due to cultural gaps or lack of knowledge and sensitivity thus often only adding stress.
I would, therefore, be in a position to understand the personal and environmental conditions that you are facing and offer support and a set of tools to regain control over your life.
...Expatriates leave behind family members and friends, familiar activities, religious centers, jobs and schools. These losses can be ambiguous and difficult to express, leaving individuals confused and unable to fully identify the sources of their grief​....
Treated Problems
....In telling our stories through art, we can find a path to health and wellness, emotional reparation, recovery, and ultimately, transformation.....
Art Therapy in the Netherlands and Europe
Art Therapy is rapidly becoming a popular and well accepted stream of psychotherapy in United States, Europe and Australia. It is also developing with speed in the rest of the world. Art Therapy comprises of several practices such as Visual Art Therapy, Dance, Drama, and Music Therapy.
Art Therapy is a post graduate degree offered by dozens of universities in Europe. It is regulated in Europe through local associations and councils. These organisations typically require a post graduate degree to practice clinical Art Psychotherapy.
In the Netherlands, Art Therapy is governed by the FVB, Federatie Vaktherapeutische Professions, and is offered at a handful of Dutch universities as a post graduate degree.
Couples Distress
Family Therapy
Anxiety Disorder
Stress Management
Relocation issues
Women’s issues
Divorce issues
Depression
Adolescent identity, self-esteem issues
ADD and ADHD (with parents guidance)
Social Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Specific Phobias
Eating disorders; Bulimia, Anorexia, Binge
Borderline Personality Disorder
Suicidal Behavior
Self-Harm
Qualifications
I am a Doctor of Clinical Psychology with specialization in couples therapy. I use a combination of verbal and art therapy.
I am a Masters' level qualified art therapist.
Art Therapists are mental health professionals trained in the use of art and media, as well as psychological and counselling approaches. Art therapists work with a range of populations including: children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and families. Art therapists work in mental health agencies, school districts, community programs, residential treatment programs, shelters, hospitals, correctional facilities, hospices, wellness centres, and in private practice.