My name is Annette, and I’m a psychologist supporting people in recovery from stressful and traumatic life experiences and building satisfying and fulfilling relationships (to yourself and others!) – because I firmly believe that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives!
Online Psychological Counselling
I am specialized in supporting clients who want to:
+ understand unhelpful patterns of relating in romantic relationships and dating – and shift them to more helpful ones
+ recover from relationships that were not marked by trust and leave a person doubting themselves, their worth, and their perception of things – in pop culture sometimes referred to as “toxic” relationships
+ process and integrate painful experiences as a young person (including childhood abuse and neglect), to keep them from impacting relationships in the present
+ create more connection and ease in partnerships, as well as family and work-relationships
+ communicate effectively and compassionately
+ connect to and express their feelings and needs
+ set appropriate boundaries
+ achieve a greater sense of calm and presence in their everyday lives
The way we experience life does not exist in a bubble of our microcosm but is related to broader systems. As a feminist psychologist, I strive to be mindful of how power systems (e.g. patriarchal and colonial structures, racism, homophobia) impact people’s mental health, oftentimes across generations. I am a queer-affirming psychologist and support persons in a variety of life journeys. This includes the paths of persons in non-traditional relationships and family models, such as polyamorous persons or single parents.
I work through a trauma-informed and attachment-focused lens.
+ Trauma-informed means that I acknowledge how both major and seemingly smaller traumatic experiences accumulated through life can impact the body and mind.
+ Attachment theory looks at how important relationships early on in life (typically with parents) inform patterns in close relationships (and potential challenges) in adulthood.
Applying these perspectives, I’ve seen a powerful transformation in my personal and many clients’ lives. If you want to look at and transform patterns in your close relationships, I’m here to guide you.
I am experienced and trained in applying various modalities, among them are:
+ Psychodynamic approaches, which look at how experiences throughout your biography may impact your present-day experiences and patterns
+ Emotionally Focused Counseling, informed by the methods of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) by Sue Johnson – a modality that focuses on integrating attachment-based injuries, oftentimes from when a person was very young, to create relationship satisfaction (to the self and other close persons, such as partners) in the present. EFT was originally designed as a couples intervention and has been further developed for working with individuals (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy – EFIT).
+ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – in this modality stressful life experiences are processed with the help of eye movements, leading to bilateral stimulation of the brain hemispheres, and a decrease in the level of emotional arousal associated with the distressing memories.
+ Cognitive-behavioral approaches, which look at how thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected and how we can change them if desired.
+ Compassionate / non-violent communication (NVC), which is an excellent practical tool for building relationships marked by trust and authenticity.
What to expect from online counseling with me:
Location Independence
You can access my support from anywhere in the world! This means no matter if you're traveling the world, an "expat" in a foreign country or you've always lived in the same place: We can be many kilometers apart but meet consistently!
Comfort of Familiarity
Some of my clients find it easiest to open up from the comfort of their home, feeling more calm and comfortable to open up from within a familiar environment. If that's you, this factor may contribute to more productive sessions!
Variety of Counseling Methods
Throughout the many years of my training and professional experience, I have built my "toolkit" - a variety of methods to work with. I will tailor my approach to your specific situation, personality, and unique needs.
Language
It's easiest to engage in counseling in a language you're either native to or fluent in. My native language is German and I'm fluent in English. I offer counseling in these two languages.
Short Waiting Times
Reach out to me and I'll typically be able to offer you an appointment for our initial consultation within a week!
Experience
I hold several years of experience and extensive professional training both as a psychologist and in facilitating counseling online.