The AntiLoneliness Team
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The AntiLoneliness team is consisted of psychologists with years of experience, passion for their work, oriented towards helping others and they are for sure kind and open-minded people, well aware of the mindset of an expat.
Our interns are selected through interviews and they come from Master Courses from the University of Leiden, the University of Utrecht or the University of Rotterdam. You have read about me here, now it's time to find out more about my colleagues. |
My colleagues
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Helena Virk
Psychologist
Trained at: Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness
Area of expertise: motherhood-parenting, expat life, anxiety, depression, loneliness
"My journey to become a Psychologist at the Antiloneliness Project has taken many turns. Formerly, I was a Chartered Forensic Psychologist in the UK, and moved to The Netherlands over six years ago. I completed my second Masters degree in Clinical Psychology (with distinction) from the University of Leiden in May 2019.
I have always had a keen interest in psychology; why we behave in certain ways, what makes us different, what influences our thinking and emotions, and what can be done to help others. I like to use a range of different methods with clients such as cognitive behavioural techniques and schema-related approaches. I have particular interest in working with expectant mothers and mothers as this is can be a time of personal transition with new challenges (and rewards). Being an expat myself, I can relate to the challenges that individuals may face when living in a different country, therefore I am keen to help and support others who find themselves in this situation."
I have always had a keen interest in psychology; why we behave in certain ways, what makes us different, what influences our thinking and emotions, and what can be done to help others. I like to use a range of different methods with clients such as cognitive behavioural techniques and schema-related approaches. I have particular interest in working with expectant mothers and mothers as this is can be a time of personal transition with new challenges (and rewards). Being an expat myself, I can relate to the challenges that individuals may face when living in a different country, therefore I am keen to help and support others who find themselves in this situation."
Rositsa Stoycheva
Psychologist
Trained at: Schema Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Area of expertise: trauma, grief, domestic violence, expat life, anxiety, depression, loneliness
"In the last four years I have devoted my time working as a counseling psychologist in the Netherlands and Bulgaria, where I originally come from.
During my master studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Leiden, I followed a clinical practice internship focused on counseling expats living in the Netherlands. Following this experience, I worked in Bulgaria, where I specialized in the treatment of survivors of trauma - adults, children, and their families.
Now I am glad to join the AntiLoneliness project and start a new chapter.
My approach to therapy is humanistic and grounded, while my main objective is to help people find security and stability within themselves despite their circumstances."
During my master studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Leiden, I followed a clinical practice internship focused on counseling expats living in the Netherlands. Following this experience, I worked in Bulgaria, where I specialized in the treatment of survivors of trauma - adults, children, and their families.
Now I am glad to join the AntiLoneliness project and start a new chapter.
My approach to therapy is humanistic and grounded, while my main objective is to help people find security and stability within themselves despite their circumstances."
Brenda Grund
Psychologist
Trained at: Supporting Recovery Work, Group Counseling, Rational Emotive Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Inner Child Work, Hypnotherapy
Area of expertise: eating disorders, relationships, addictions, trauma, loss / grief
"In my 10 years of working in healthcare, I have had the privilege to work with great people from different countries and different walks of life. That makes me feel intimately familiar with the challenges of expat life and how to support people in transition.
Regarding my experience as a therapist, I feel privileged to be a part of someone's life during a period of change and the emotional hardship that comes with this and to see how people regain their inner strength and make new and healthy choices for themselves. "
Regarding my experience as a therapist, I feel privileged to be a part of someone's life during a period of change and the emotional hardship that comes with this and to see how people regain their inner strength and make new and healthy choices for themselves. "
My interns
Maelle Badibanga
"Growing up biracial, from Belgium and DR Congo, in the multicultural city of The Hague, I developed an interest in how individuals function. An interest that started my vocational journey into therapy. Throughout my studies I fostered a particular interest in psycholinguistics.
After completing a Master Degree in Counselling from the University of Edinburgh as well as acquiring experience in the voluntary sector, I gained a breadth of knowledge that I will apply in my intern role at Anti-loneliness. Throughout this internship I hope to learn from my colleagues and clients how to become a strong source of support for others."
After completing a Master Degree in Counselling from the University of Edinburgh as well as acquiring experience in the voluntary sector, I gained a breadth of knowledge that I will apply in my intern role at Anti-loneliness. Throughout this internship I hope to learn from my colleagues and clients how to become a strong source of support for others."
María Auxiliadora Touza Cumare
"I decided to study psychology out of a deep desire to alleviate the suffering of those who might feel misunderstood and struggle to put into words what is happening to them. I have had the opportunity to witness in first hand the important role that clinical psychologists play in difficult contexts and how they can positively impact people’s lives, working alongside them to make their burdens less heavy and more easily managed, even during the darkest times. I decided to pursue a Master’s program in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University to improve my knowledge and skills as a psychologist and I am convinced that this internship at AntiLoneliness constitutes an invaluable learning experience to further accomplish that. I am especially interested in loss, grief, trauma and expat life, as they all, in one way or another, have greatly influenced my life and the professional I am in the process of shaping. Furthermore, I believe that solitude is among the toughest experiences a person can have, and therefore the idea of providing accompaniment through these difficult moments in life inspires me to keep on developing myself as a professional and an individual."
Benedetta La Rosa
"After my Bachelor’s in Rome, I came to the Netherlands for a change in perspective, and here I am,
ready to start practicing after my Clinical Neuropsychology Master. I have been drawn to psychology by curiosity and empathy: I find it both an extremely interesting discipline and a precious language when it comes to helping people overcome their emotional struggles and their loneliness. After all, I see therapy as a place to be heard and to acquire the tools to listen to one's needs, besides gaining awareness.
When I found Anti-Loneliness, I immediately saw a fit with an environment that is dedicated to people and their inner problems, and does that with attention, patience and commitment. The area of therapy that I like the most is psychodynamic; I would like to integrate this approach with other methods to find my unique style, and help people get a better understanding of themselves. I don’t think there is such a thing as “normal” and I want to support my patients while they search for their better and happier self."
ready to start practicing after my Clinical Neuropsychology Master. I have been drawn to psychology by curiosity and empathy: I find it both an extremely interesting discipline and a precious language when it comes to helping people overcome their emotional struggles and their loneliness. After all, I see therapy as a place to be heard and to acquire the tools to listen to one's needs, besides gaining awareness.
When I found Anti-Loneliness, I immediately saw a fit with an environment that is dedicated to people and their inner problems, and does that with attention, patience and commitment. The area of therapy that I like the most is psychodynamic; I would like to integrate this approach with other methods to find my unique style, and help people get a better understanding of themselves. I don’t think there is such a thing as “normal” and I want to support my patients while they search for their better and happier self."
Counseling |
Workshops |
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