My passion for helping people has been a lifelong calling, inspired by a desire to understand and break cycles of generational trauma, both personally and professionally. I began my career in the Netherlands as a Cultural Social Work student, providing debt assistance and psychosocial counselling during my placement. After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I worked with children experiencing psychiatric disorders and somatic disabilities and later served in Foster Care and Child Protection Services. During my Master’s placement with Child Protection Services, I completed training in assessment and diagnostic skills, although I am not licensed to provide diagnoses.

Alongside my professional career, my husband and I became involved in our family farming operation, allowing me to combine my passion for helping people with a rural lifestyle. While working as a Child Protection Worker, I developed a strong interest in research and education. This led me to become a lecturer in Educational Sciences, specializing in Forensic Child and Youth Care, at the University of Amsterdam, where I taught both Bachelor’s and Master’s students. I also lectured in Social Work at NHL University in the Netherlands. During this time, I founded Loving Caring Advice and Research, my private practice in the Netherlands, and joined Jeugd Advies Noord (Youth Advice North), a professional network of independent practitioners. In 2017, I began a PhD program, which I pursued until 2021. As part of my research, I collaborated with Highland Shores Children’s Aid in Belleville, Ontario, on the “Meet the Parents” project, examining the relationship between parents’ traumatic and intrusive life experiences, child safety, and the quality of their working relationship with child protection professionals. After immigrating to Canada in 2017, I established my Mental Care Practice in Renfrew in December 2018. In 2020, my husband and I returned to farming, operating a dairy farm in Admaston-Bromley. In addition to providing services from the downtown office, the Mental Care Practice offers year-round outdoor consultations on our farm, incorporating nature-based experiences such as animal interactions and guided field walks.

As mental health and family support services remain scarce in our beautiful valley, I believe that meaningful change requires collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach. I began building a collaborative team of authentic, independent professionals who share a commitment to providing compassionate, client-centred care. Together, we bring diverse evidence-based expertise and a shared dedication to supporting individuals and families on their journey toward healing, growth, and well-being.

Personal Background

I grew up on a farm in It Heidenskip, a rural village in the province of Fryslân in the Netherlands. In 2017, my husband, oldest daughter and I immigrated to Renfrew, Ontario, alongside several members of our extended family. Since then, our son and youngest daughter have been born in Canada,

At home you will often find me spending time with my family, working on our farm, or enjoying the outdoors. I love horseback riding, hunting, outback camping, gardening, hiking, kayaking, theatre, music, crafting, and crocheting. I am also deeply interested in traditional Indigenous teachings and ways of life.

My passion for helping people has been a lifelong calling, inspired by a desire to understand and... Read More