ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
ACT is about what works and what doesn’t. It aims not to change the past, but to transform the way we understand and see the present. To be truly present and to act based on your core values is the overall goal, and to do that ACT provides a model to achieve psychological flexibility.

Use of Art

During sessions I will ask you to make something, to do some form of art, which will help us to look at the problem you experience. I use visual arts in a braod sense, includes drawing, painting and working with clay, as well as different mindfulness techniques. Always with the aim to get more insight and understanding about what is happening, what is truly going on. And to practise acceptance. Art helps us to go beyond the stories we have trained ourselves to tell others (and ourselves). That I work with art doesn’t mean that you need to have a background in art. You don’t need to have any experience or artistic abilities.

ACT!

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and works towards psychological flexibility. ACT means we work with what is present, to aim to find a way of dealing with life that ‘works’. It is not possible to control what happens to you, but it is possible to make sure you can deal with whatever comes your way. Acceptance and commitment are fundamental to these processes. ACT is a scientifically proven effective method.

Find more information on ACT here in English. (Or here in Dutch.)

Practical aspects of Therapy

I offer individual sessions as what in Dutch is called ‘psychosociaal therapeut beeldend’ [literally: psychosocial art therapist]. I base myself on my philosophical background (PhD) combined with my training as an art therapist with specialisation in ACT – Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.

Therapy is a highly individual process. I do not work with fixed steps.

During the intake, you will be able to experience whether this combination of art therapy and ACT resonates with you, and we can together discuss the options you have. Generally speaking, people will come once every two weeks, for on average five to ten sessions.

I offer therapy in both English and Dutch.

Sessions take place in Eindhoven. I do not offer online sessions.

You can contact me directly by sending an email to [email protected]
Prices and general conditions (in Dutch) can be found here.

My background

After studying psychology (bachelor) and a master & PhD in contemporary philosophy with specialization in practical ethics (how do we lead ‘a good life’ in contemporary society?), I obtained a degree in ACT/Art therapy at Vrije Academie ‘t Pad, where I am now the lead teacher in ACT/Art therapy and practical philosophy (teaching is all in Dutch).

I am Dutch, but I have lived in many countries around the world during my adult life, both in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Northern America. As the therapy I offer is not fully language-based, I warmly invite non-native English speakers to contact me.