The statement above is something you have often heard me say over the past few years. During my training as a psychologist, I noticed that the concept of 'mental health' is often still viewed from a framed perspective. A focus on alleviating symptoms, on everything that is going wrong, and on the past. Of course, this is sometimes important too, but I prefer to work from the vision that it is even more important to empower someone, to look at what someone can do, and above all: where someone wants to go.

In 2017, I started the Bachelor's in Psychology at Leiden University and, alongside that, I thoroughly enjoyed working with various target groups. This included providing outpatient support to children and adolescents with mental health needs, volunteering in mental healthcare, and working as a lunchtime supervisor at primary schools. After an adventurous six months as an au pair in various countries, I subsequently obtained the Master's in Health & Medical Psychology at Leiden University – after which I had the opportunity to get a taste of mental healthcare through my internship and subsequently as a graduated Psychologist.