Marieke Vandenhende

I work with adults who are trying to find ways to cope with depression, anxiety and past traumatic experiences. Finding a way through feelings of hopelessness, sadness and worry is exhausting and often isolating. It can help to know we are not alone in this. I often work with those who have experienced trauma, particularly domestic violence and sexual abuse. These events can get stuck in our body and nervous system, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and at odds with life and relationships. I also work with individuals who have experienced loss and are looking for support in moving through their grief. There is no one right way to grieve, yet often we experience pressure from the outside world to move on. I aim to explore how we can carry our grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, in such a way that we can see our own light again.  

How Counselling Could Support You

Talking to a counsellor can help in figuring out what lies at the root of your struggles and support you in deciding how to approach the next steps you want to take. It can strengthen your self-acceptance and self-compassion, improve confidence in interpersonal and communication skills, help you find ways to cope that are meaningful to you, create new ways of expressing emotions, and recognize the strengths and resilience you already carry inside you.

My Approach

I focus on how you make meaning of your challenges and strengths, within the broader context of family, community, and society. In our work together we might work on emotional regulation, on discovering needs and frustrations behind emotions, and feeling more confident in the decisions you make. Other aspects might involve exploring how thoughts guide behaviour and vice versa. I often use somatic approaches, where we focus on listening to your body and nervous system, moving beyond trying to think your way out of challenges, and instead feeling your way back through a reconnection with your emotions and body.

Walk and Talk sessions

Nature can be a wonderful support in the healing process, both through stillness and movement. I offer walk and talk sessions for clients who would like to explore moving the therapy session outside. If you want to learn more about this, feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation.