Hi, my name is Gitte, I am from Scandinavia originally and have lived, over half my life now, as an expat in various countries. I offer psycho-social support and counseling to adult expats and travelers from around the world. I have counseled individuals, couples and groups for almost two decades now and it is such a privilege. With curiosity, constant learning, and plenty of life lessons on my own journey, I continue to grow and expand just like my clients. I know first hand that growing and learning can be a messy and painful endeavor at times. The process is by no means linear, but you can learn to appreciate and embrace it- even enjoy it!
For many years I had an office in Amsterdam and worked in person with the expat residents there, and when necessary, we would continue working together via email and occasionally Skype. It was not considered the norm back then to “do the work” online. This, however, dramatically changed during covid and it took some getting used to for everyone. Today, most sessions still take place online, I believe, due to the greater flexibility in scheduling and the lack of commute to and from an appointment.
It is no secret that growth and struggle is part of the human experience,- ‘bouncing around’ adds an extra layer of challenges whether you are rising a family away from your origins or not. Furthermore, our days are full, and finding the extra time to commute to an office appointment on a regular basis can be a nearly impossible. My online services have therefore become a beacon to many over the years. Adjusting to new situations and environments takes a lot of energy and can distract us from the inner work we need to do in order to stay connected and live self-directed lives in alignment with who we are. This, of course, is a process and it requires a willingness to examine oneself. When we go through difficult times, it is easy to get stuck due to old beliefs, automatic thoughts and behaviors, and we do not always experience support from those around us.
Here is where a good therapeutic relationship and having a safe place to talk comes in. At times, all we need is a sounding board, an empathetic ear, a place to sort out our thoughts so we can get out of our own way, or even look a little deeper and learn to release the things that no-longer serve us. That is what I am here for; to give you a space without judgement and all the support you need to create the positive changes you long for.
Avoiding to address an issue can mean that certain aspects of your life will continue to be ruled by it, and maybe even get worse. We often avoid reaching out due to feelings of shame or that there is something wrong with us – that we are ‘the only ones’, but nothing could be further from the truth.
There is a good chance I know where you are coming from and recognize what you are going through. I have worked with people from all walks of life in a clinical setting for over a decade, even longer when counting other settings as well. And, I can add to that; my own life lessons, and the process I am still going through. I have learned to embrace the process; to continue to grow, and so can you. It is never too late to make a change -you can grow where you are.
Taking the first step is often the hardest but it does not have to be difficult. Click below link to book a free 15 min meet and greet to see if I can be of service to you.
