My name is Colette, I am an Adult Cross Culture Kid, Solo Travel Enthusiast, Former World Traveller and a certified Narrative Therapist and Art Therapist (M.A.). I help people express, reflect upon, clarify, change and untangle their life (stories) – their experiences, feelings and thoughts – through therapeutic arts, writing, biographical counselling and narrative therapy techniques.
I was born in 1986 in the Netherlands, was raised bilingual (Dutch/German) and spent my childhood both in the Netherlands and in Germany. It took many years for me to find „my calling“: Before becoming an art therapist – which involved starting from zero, quitting my management position and going back to uni in my thirties – I worked 10+ years in communications & consultancy, as a photoartist and journalist and in the tourism industry, and lived in several countries.
Now, aside from working as a registered clinical art therapist (M.A.) at a local psychiatry in Münster, Germany, where I help people with a range of mental health issues (incl. depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, addictions), symptoms and conditions (ADHD, trauma, psychosis, hypersensitivity, aspergers, autism spectrum, stress, codependence, gender identity) I have set up my own therapeutic arts business to offer online sessions in English and German for people who do not fit the classified diagnoses and seek to maintain and enhance their mental well-being through creative self care programs and empowering online sessions.
I am fascinated by different cultures, languages and philosophies, I love stories and am passionate about traveling, writing and photography. My life is shaped and influenced by movement and curiosity – I like exploring nature, collecting impressions and life experiences along the way. I care deeply about sustainability and enjoy a minimalistic lifestyle. Currently all my services are online, however, I do occasionally offer on-site-retreats for small groups on request.