About Astrid

Hi I’m Astrid,

I grew up in a culturally rich suburb of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and now share my time between Broome Australia and Amsterdam. Yes, the two worlds couldn’t be more different, but I welcome the opportunity to make a difference in both.

As a trained Psychology Social Worker, I’ve worked with;

Private and corporate mediation
Relationship counselling
People that have committed criminal offences
Youth and adults with learning/intellectual disabilities
Various mental health issues

I migrated to Australia in 2008, heading straight for Broome, and was lucky to be employed by the First Nation people of Broome and the Kimberley. In my roles with the Kimberley Land Council I’ve gained an extensive understanding of the importance of culture, family, community and country.

For the following decade, I worked with families of the Kimberley, mostly around conflict and separation, in my varied role as counsellor, mediator, coordinator and supervisor of the Kimberley Family Relationship Centre.

These experiences and ongoing professional development have shaped me into a compassionate and holistic professional and I proudly work culturally safe, with a high level of integrity and authenticity.

My clients will tell you I’m approachable, open and ‘real’. I’m genuinely interested in you and your experience, which makes me easy to talk to. You’ll be received in a non-judgmental space in which you can be truly yourself.

I enjoy working with;

Couples
Partners
Families

and can skilfully support changes that make for better relationships. My broad experience around different issues and concerns ensure you receive professional, quality support whilst still feeling comfortable and at ease.

I’m grateful to live in Broome to be of service to strengthen the health, wellbeing and relationships of my community members and whilst I’m abroad appreciate opportunity to maintain and extend these connections via zoom.

In my practice I deeply acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country in Broome, the Kimberley, Australia and the wider world and their continuing connection to land, sea and community and pay my respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.

I’m fully in agreement with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) ‘s stance on diversity:

“We aim to cultivate a climate of inclusion, an environment where all can feel safe, valued, cared for and have an opportunity to form meaningful connections with each other. In all facets of our work, we strive to embody what we hope to see in the world — a just, loving humanity and community in which people are free to be themselves fully — where people can embrace their most basic universal human attachment needs without fear of persecution or marginalisation as a result of religion, race, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, class, mental health, physical character or disability. These values are inherent in the attachment science and humanistic approach to intervention on which all our work is based. Specifically, humanistic approaches such as EFT are collaborative and respectful. We create a safe place for people and treat them as persons not problems or types. Our approach is non-pathologising in practice. Our values are inclusive and egalitarian while viewing human connection as sacred — something to be honoured and cultivated. Our scientific and theoretical base outlines key universals, emotion and attachment, while respecting individual differences.”

Equal care will be provided to all clients, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, physical ability or attributes, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

I look forward to working with you,

Astrid