About
(pronounced ma-ree-ka)
My background
Before beginning my degree in Integrative Counselling in 2009, I worked for many years as a speech and language therapist initially as a practitioner and subsequently a service manager. This was followed by five years working as part of a team setting up community services for people with a learning difficulty.
Looking back on my career I see that ( though largely unconscious at the time) my belief in human potential, curiosity about what it means to be human, and a willingness to support myself and others to grow, has been foundational in my every career decision.
My awareness of and interest in developmental trauma, has broadened and deepened over the years and I have sought trainings that will support that work. Now my main therapeutic orientation when working with individuals is AEDP Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy and in couple work I lean into Emotion Focussed Therapy.
These are both experiential, relational, attachment- based models shown to have positive outcomes in evidence – based research.
My intention is that in therapy you will feel seen, held and understood because I believe moments like that can be life changing.
About me
I am of Dutch heritage and much of my family still lives in The Netherlands. I came to the UK as a young child and have lived in England ever since.
My ‘happy place’ is by the sea which may not come as a surprise given the relationship Dutch people need to have with the ocean. Whatever the weather, the sound of the sea has positive impacts on my nervous system . I love its vastness, it’s energy and its gentleness.
Here in Richmond my soul is nurtured through walking in the wonderful parks or along the river and through enjoying the many and various arts on my doorstep. I love theatre, art and poetry, conversations of depth with people I love, and sometimes, simply sitting still in beautiful spaces and breathing them in.
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) First Class Integrative Relational Counselling (2011)
- Advanced Certificate Integrative Counselling (AQA) (2008)
- Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Certificate (2006)
- Relate Certificate in Couple counselling (2005)
Specialised training
- 2025 Working with OCD and Perfectionism
- 2025 Attachment, Identity and Transgenerational Narrative
- 2024 AEDP Presence and Bravery in Action: AEDP interventions to awaken emotional resilience after loss, endings, and death
- 2024 AEDP The Power of Affirmation to heal Relational wounds and revitalise the SELF
- 2024 Who’s in the room- training in inclusion
- 2023 Brainspotting levels 1 and 2
- 2023 Internal Family Systems online Circle
- 2022 onwards - monthly deliberate practice in EFT for couples
- 2021 Healing relational Trauma with AEDP
- 2021 Anti Racism accountability Group AEDP
- 2020 Emotionally Focussed Couple therapy summer school
- 2018 - 2020 AEDP Immersion ES1 and ES2
- 2017 CBT certificate working with Anxiety
- 2016 Post Graduate Training in working with Boarding School Survivors
- 2014 -2016 Trainings in Emotionally Focussed Therapy for Couples
Memberships
I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Institute
Get in touch
You can contact me by phone, email or by using this contact form. Please do include your telephone number in any message so that I can call you to discuss your needs briefly before we meet for the first time.
My location
The Therapy Rooms, 1 Union Court, Richmond TW9 1AA
Availability
Mon - Wed: 8am-6:30pm
Thu: 10am - 8:30pm
Contact
Phone: 07864 644821
Email: ma*****@ta************.com