Psychological Counselling

Get the support you need in an intimate and safe place of your choice

Do you…

want to reduce stress and achieve a healthy work-life balance
need to deal with unexpected life situations and fundamental change
struggle with life questions and decision making
lack self-confidence and need to get back into the driver’s seat of your life
feel restless, unable to focus or get into action
suffer from feeling somber, sad, emotionally overwhelmed or empty?

Then it’s time to…

let it all out and share what troubles you with a neutral person
process your experiences, situations, reactions, and feelings
investigate your behavioural patterns, their origin and impact on your life
acknowledge and understand your emotions, their influence and value
let go of your limiting beliefs and tame your saboteurs
re-create and heal your inner basis
step forward into a new phase of being

I’m here for you to…

hold a safe, non-judgemental, welcoming space for you
deeply listen and be with you
see beneath the surface and help you get to the core
aid you in recognising, understanding, acknowledging, and letting go
guide you in your process in a way that suits your needs
encourage and nurture you on your path to healing

How does counselling with me work?

Get out of overwhelm

This is a fundamental requirement before we can delve further into the process.

We focus on first-aid help so that you regain your ability to deal with emotions and have the inner and outer space to consciously explore, process, let go, and finally move forward.

Re-create your basis

This second phase is all about looking into your struggles. In the safe space of our sessions we explore together what’s going on and why, what’s the impact, and what do with it.

We figure out what you need to feel whole, centred, confident, safe again – able to live your life the way you want it.

Stabilise and reassure

Now it’s important to anchor your re-created connection with yourself.

This brings you back your inner strength and wisdom to cope with stress and strong emotions, to make decisions, deal with challenges – to feel grounded and powerful to live your life.

Move forward

In the last phase you will create a new vision of your life and I help you to take the first steps towards it.

Now it’s all about living the life you want – experiencing joy, serenity, capability, strength, and meaning.

Your topics

Expat life and transition challenges

Stress, overstrain, burn-out

Anxiety, worry, crisis

Mood complaints

Life decisions

Life-stage issues

Acknowledge your need for professional support

It's time to get help instead of struggling on your own

During the free Orientation Session we take the time to get to know each other, explore your needs, and what a counselling path with me would look like.

Book your free Orientation Session

Will it work for you?

I mainly work with international women in their 30’s and 40’s who moved for their work to a different country. Their countries of origin are for instance the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, France, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Israel, UK, and Germany.

The struggles they face are often linked to their multi-cultural life situation:

being an expat
working for an international organisation with colleagues from several different countries
needing to adapt to local circumstances and culture
speaking several languages all day
maybe living with a partner with a different nationality
maybe raising children born and growing up in the current country

Other issues come from their work situation, managing work and private life, events and experiences now or in their past, personal questions and characteristics.

My main intention is to help my clients to reconnect with themselves, as this connection with yourself is your safe haven, your power centre, your essence and source of inner wisdom. It is about knowing, acknowledging, accepting, loving, trusting, caring for, and fully utilising yourself to live a life where you can flourish. This your strong base to act, create, influence from. From here you are able to deal with change and challenges and to cope with difficulties. From here you are able to thrive and live the life you desire.

And the results of our counselling process are described by my clients as such:

understanding and accepting myself
learned to listen to myself
empowered and stronger than before
feeling at peace
capable to make choices whilst staying true to myself
able to cope with tough situations and daily challenges
re-centred, self-reliant, confident

Do you relate to what I describe above? Yes? Then counselling with me will work for you.

What do the women I’ve worked with say?

“I found Dagmar through a very good friend in a time where I was feeling very lost and going through a very difficult period in my life. Thanks to Dagmar, I was able to find my way again. Dagmar tailored her program to my needs and with her guidance, I gained a personal strength that I didn't know I could have and I am able to look and face the daily challenges in a much more calm and secure way.”

Tania, Scientific Campaign Coordinator

“Insbesondere die Hausaufgaben habe ich als hilfreich erlebt. Die verschiedenen Aufgaben haben mir einerseits geholfen, zwischen den Sitzungen dranzubleiben und an meinen Themen zu arbeiten. Andererseits wirken sie auch hintergründig und lenken automatisch die Aufmerksamkeit auf die jeweiligen Fragen und Verhaltensweisen. Darüberhinaus fand ich sehr positiv, dass Frau Hopf flexibel auf die für mich gerade wichtigen Themen eingegangen ist.”

Ute, Customer Service Professional

“Counselling with Dagmar, especially the process itself, gave me a sense of structure and helped me stay grounded and focused. Such state of mind then enabled me to be fully present. The greatest benefit was the tool of 'self-observation' which has been helping me in difficult situations to evaluate the nature of my feelings and take necessary action. I also appreciated the homework that followed every session, which enabled me to stay focused on my personal development. Dagmar's approach guided me through the discovery process with reassurance and with confidence in the final outcome.”

Maria, Space Programme Coordinator

"I gained clarity with respect to my strengths, needs, values, and weaknesses, and thus created a solid foundation to tackle my situation. I learned where and why I sabotage myself, but also what really drives me. Dagmar provided a space for me to openly share my concerns and struggles by her kind, understanding and flexible style. She asked questions to further help me understand my problems, shared tools and strategies with me, and encouraged me to find solutions personalised to myself. Her homework in between the sessions ensured further progress and development. I warmly recommend her to anyone who needs support facing change, or during a challenging time in their lives."

Janine, Science Communicator & Project Officer

"It is a pleasure to work with Dagmar. She is a great listener. She has been very supportive and provided me a safe space to explore my values & feelings, focus on my goals and open new perspectives. She also helped me to think beyond some of the fears and beliefs that I had. She guided me to take action and move forward. As a result, I developed a much better understanding of who I am and how I think. I feel more at peace today. I am really thankful for the clarity and confidence I gained while working together. Thank you for our wonderful conversations, your kindness and your positivity!"

Morgane, Project Manager

Frequently asked questions

When should I seek counselling?

At times we all need someone to talk to, someone that will listen and help us find new perspective. One of the traps we as people fall into is the idea that we can handle life alone. Acknowledging the need for professional help is an important step in improving your life, and for many, one that takes great courage. Professional counselling can be beneficial in working through some of life’s most challenging moments. It can also help clear away obstacles that prevent personal growth. The main goal of counselling is to help those in need live more fulfilling lives.

Do I need a referral from my General Practitioner (GP)?

No, you do not need a referral to get counselling with me.

How long does a session take?

An online counselling session with me takes 50 minutes.

How many sessions do I need?

Typically, a counselling trajectory takes 8-10 sessions. We would agree on that during our orientation call and adjust later, if necessary. In the beginning we would meet weekly or bi-weekly, in the second half of the process every third or fourth week.

Where do the sessions take place?

There are several options:

We “meet” remotely and have our sessions via Signal, Zoom or phone (Dutch numbers only).
We meet in person in Het Coachhuis in Leiden following certain “Corona” rules I will share with you.
We meet in person outside for a walking session, e.g. in the Polderpark Cronesteyn or the Leidse Hout Park in Leiden.

What do I need to consider when having remote counselling?

Make sure to choose a place, where you feel safe and comfortable, will be undisturbed, and have stable internet access via mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.

Take good care of yourself by getting something to drink, have pen and paper at hand in case you wish to take notes, and create a warm and cosy atmosphere.

Working with me online is somehow different to meeting together in one room but so far my clients do not report a reduced impact or value for themselves.

In which languages can I get counselling with you?

I provide counselling in German (native), English and Dutch.

What does a session cost?

I usually work with counselling packages and handle different fees depending on your occupational status (e.g. employed, unemployed) and if your health insurance reimburses the costs. We will discuss this during the free Orientation Session.

What are your payment conditions?

You’ll receive an invoice at the end of the month over the sessions fees for that month – to be paid within 7 days.

Is financial support available for counselling with you?

Through your Dutch health insurance: Up to now, my counselling services won’t be refunded by Dutch health insurances. But I’m working on this so that you can get it partially refunded via your supplementary insurance package (aanvullende verzekering).

Through the Health and Safety Service of your employer in the Netherlands: After consultation with the company doctor, employers are often willing to reimburse these costs within the framework of the Gatekeeper Improvement Act (Wet Verbetering Poortwachter). For example in the context of burn-out prevention and prevention of long-term absenteeism. In this case, you should contact the company doctor or the Health and Safety Service.

Through the Dutch UWV: If you receive a benefit, you can ask the benefit agency (UWV) about the available financial resources for your recovery and reintegration. You can conclude an Individual Re-integration Agreement with your UWV. With this agreement, the UWV makes a budget available to you with which you can pay for all or part of your coaching program. For more information, please visit the UWV website.

What if I can't make a session?

Please cancel your session at least 24 hours prior to the agreed session time. Otherwise I will charge the full amount.

It's time to ask for help

Don't wait any longer to get the support you need to heal and thrive again

Use the Orientation Session to get to know me and find out what I can do for you. It’s free and without any obligation. Do it for yourself!

Book now your free Orientation Session