About me
The question that keeps returning to me is simple:
Who takes care of our academics?
Many researchers and teaching professionals do this work with deep commitment and idealism. At the same time, I know what it is like to be carried along by a full agenda and high expectations.
The space to pause and reflect on what truly matters gradually disappears from view. I know the dynamics, context, and pressures of academia from the inside. In my own career as an Associate Professor, I have experienced how meaningful this work can be. But I also know its more difficult side.
Constantly pushing through led to multiple herniated discs, and when I became a mother, I realised how deeply my identity had become entwined with my work.
That experience forms an important foundation for my work as a psychologist and coach.
As researchers and teachers, we carry a great deal of responsibility, but the system we work in is demanding. Complex collaborations, high workload, competition, imposter syndrome, and constant change make academic work intense.
At the same time, I feel strongly that researchers and teachers play a crucial role in our society. Especially in a time of increasing complexity and disinformation, we are indispensable: developing reliable knowledge, teaching new generations to think critically, and contributing to public debate. To me, this is essential in today’s world.
My background
I am a psychologist NIP®, certified coach, and Associate Professor of Wellbeing.
Alongside my practice, Academic Companion, I work at Radboud University, where my research and teaching focus on wellbeing, mental health, and resilience.
A few things
About me
Fourteen years ago, I started doing yoga. It made me realise that I am more than just a walking head.
I enjoy being in nature with my husband and our two young sons.
I love reading and am part of a book club, which has brought me many valuable conversations and connections.
I do not particularly enjoy exercise, but I do it to keep my back healthy — several herniated discs have made that very clear to me.
I grew up in Brabant and later lived in Maastricht, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Melbourne, Cambridge, and Nijmegen — all driven by my academic career. I do not regret any of it, but I would no longer move for my career.
What I enjoy about working as a researcher and teacher is the contact with young people who are in such an important phase of development. Marking, on the other hand, is not my favourite part of the job.
In 2015, I received a Veni grant. And honestly, the academic output resulting from that grant remained more limited than I had hoped.
How I work
In my work, I combine scientific grounding, warmth, and equality.
Among other methods, I work with:
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This approach helps build resilience: you learn to deal with difficult situations and emotions while moving in the direction of what truly matters to you.
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Stress and burnout support based on the CSR Method®
This biopsychosocial method focuses on stress regulation on three levels: body, mind, and social context.
Reliability and quality deeply matter to me. That is why I am affiliated with the following professional associations:
NIP – Dutch Institute of Psychologists
StiR – Quality mark for professional guidance
My style is warm, connected, and equal. Together, we explore patterns that drain your energy and look for ways to shape your work and life in a way that fits your ideals, talents, and ambitions.
The aim is not only to reduce stress, but above all to create more space, clarity, and ownership.