Who I work with

ADULTS I help adults reconnect to their inner strength that often has fallen into the shadows due to adaptations to environment and expectations, often already in early childhood and at school. I help them to shed light on those areas that are in the dark, and support them in embracing their whole self in all its complexities, sensitivities and intensity. In coming out of the darkness, often issues pertaining to e.g. perfectionism, underachievement, imposter syndrome, muliti-potentiality, heightened intensities, and creativity are brought into the light where they can be understood and appreciated as part of their giftedness.

ADOLESCENTS Teens are quite remarkable in all that they do. Being a teenager is hard enough, but being a highly curious and differently smart one can add extra dimensions and challenges. I support smart sensitive teens who struggle to navigate all the changes that arise during this stage of their lives. When they work with me, we develop an authentic, supportive relationship, we discover their path and fill their toolbox with the tools they need to live an authentic fulfilling living, remaining true to themselves, not compromising their deeply felt values.

CHILDREN Children are still so dependent on their immediate environment that it is hard to separate them from this. When school does not fit or parents struggle to understand the unique needs of their differently wired children, it can make for very unhappy kids (and families). My approach is holistic, taking in all aspects of the child’s life, addressing the pressing issues as they come up. Often, but not uniquely, I work with children in the context of school, helping to pinpoint mismatches and make adaptations to better fit the needs and different learning styles of gifted children. In order to do this I like to get a good picture of the child in the context of school, both academically as well as socially, and work with the entire unit. Where changes can’t be made, I walk the journey with the child, helping them develop the skills they need to deal with the expectations. The child’s wellbeing is always leading.

PARENTS Parenting high intensity super smart children can be very challenging. I help parents to navigate their gifted children’s special educational needs, their intense emotions and sensitivities, and other issues commonly associated with being gifted such as asynchrony, perfectionism, anxiety, and existential suffering.

Apart from issues in regulating daily life, parents of gifted children, usually sensitive and smart themselves, often feel their children’s pain. On top of that, witnessing their children’s struggles can also trigger painful memories, confounding parenting further. I support parents in manoeuvring the often challenging task of raising their intense and sensitive children with understanding and sensitivity to  their own histories. 

I help them to advocate for their children’s special needs as gifted persons while supporting their own understanding and healing. I also run SENG guided parent discussion groups, where parents have the opportunity to share experiences and learn from on another in the safety of closed support groups. Contact me for more information about the next support group series or click here.