Merel van Garderen

Background and work experience

As a child, I already had a passion for understanding people and why they do what they do. I have been working as a psychologist for over 9 years with great pleasure. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside people, helping them figure out where they stand, what works, what works less well, and which direction they want to go.

In 2016, I obtained my master’s degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology from the University of Amsterdam. After that, I worked with great enjoyment in addiction care across various settings: outpatient, clinical, and day treatment. Besides addiction, I also treated comorbid issues, ranging from depression to anxiety disorders, trauma, or personality disorders.

After some time, I also started my own practice because I wanted to help people who didn’t fit a ‘label,’ meaning they didn’t have an official DSM diagnosis. Having worked in diverse settings with a wide range of target groups, I am well-equipped to handle various types of problems.

Style and approach

Clients describe me as calm, decisive, warm, and positive. The greatest compliment I’ve received from colleagues is, “You always seem to go to work with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.” That’s true—I would describe myself as an energetic professional who also enjoys a good joke.

The most important aspect of treatment for me is to focus on a person’s perspective and potential. I believe a key goal in treatment is for people to rediscover this within themselves. At first, I offer more help and support—like training wheels on a bike. Once you have mastered it, we’ll work together to take those training wheels off, so you can get back on the road independently!

Together, we’ll explore which approach suits you best. Do we keep it practical, focusing on the here and now with a solution-oriented mindset, or do we take a deeper and broader look, recognizing patterns and practicing change where necessary?

I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma therapy (EMDR, IE, ImRs, Exposure), and Schema Therapy. During treatment, I also find it important that people experience enough support within their own environment. If needed or desired, I make use of system conversations with important others in the client’s life to foster communication and strengthen connections.

BIG registration Merel van Garderen: 59934615125.