My Therapist Manifesto: The Values Behind My Practice

A manifesto is a published declaration of intentions and views. It’s usually something political parties do.Though I’m no politician, my clients and anyone searching for a psychologist in Leiden deserve to know where I stand. This is the foundation everything else is built on. Before we ever meet, here’s what you can expect from working with me

Confidentiality. I keep everything confidential unless a client is a threat to themselves or another person. That boundary is sacred, and it’s what makes honesty possible in the first place.
A safe space. I create a safe space for my clients by not judging them. Never underestimate the transformative power of acceptance.
Empowerment. I empower and respect my clients by trusting their inner processes. You know more about your own life than I ever will.
Intuition. I trust my intuition. Some of the most meaningful moments in a session come from following a hunch rather than a script.
Self-knowledge. I know myself. Understanding my own sensitivities and triggers means they don’t get in the way of me aiding you in your journey.

Empathy & compassion. I hold empathy and compassion for every client I work with. These processes invite a feeling of closeness and professional intimacy you will (un)consciously recognise this, and it will help you trust me and open up further in the process.
Art & science. I believe therapy is as much an art as it is a science. As a licensed psychologist in Leiden, I bring both training and intuition into the room.
Respect, always. I respect my clients, always by honouring their decisions and never judging them as “good” or “bad”. I’ve learnt to become comfortable in the grey.
Active listening. I actively listen to you. It’s the best way to both understand you, and to make you feel heard and seen. And I remind myself: there is always more to learn.
Curiosity. I stay curious about you, and why you’ve decided to share something with me. Although it may not be outwardly clear to me, it could hold great significance to you.

Investing humanity. I remember that I am investing my humanity into another person’s humanity. That exchange is the heart of the work.
Honesty. I am honest with you, so that I can create a space in which you feel safe to be open with me too.
Modelling, with compassion. I model what I teach but I am compassionate with myself as well. Perfection does not exist.

These thirteen points aren’t rules I impose from a distance. They’re the values I try to live by, in the room and out of it.

If you’re looking for a psychologist in Leiden who shows up as a whole person grounded, honest, and genuinely curious about you I’d love to meet you.

Reach out and let’s begin.