Chérie Schutte

My therapeutic approach is integrative, practical, and grounded in both neuroscience and genuine human connection. I support children, adolescents, and families who are navigating anxiety, low mood, stress, neurodivergence, life transitions, and challenges in emotional regulation or social relationships. I believe that counselling should feel safe, respectful, culturally aware, and collaborative, especially when working with young people and their parents. I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, family systems thinking, psychoeducation, mindfulness, and developmental neuroscience. This means we look not only at thoughts and behaviours, but also at how the body and nervous system respond to stress, how habits and coping strategies develop over time, and how family and school environments influence emotional wellbeing. Many young people benefit from learning how their brain works, because understanding “why” something feels difficult often reduces shame and opens the door to change. When working with children and adolescents, the first priority is establishing trust and emotional safety. I use age-appropriate language, collaborative goal-setting, and gentle structure so that young people feel supported rather than judged. Sessions may include discussion, skill-building, creative or reflective exercises, regulation strategies, cognitive tools, or problem-solving around real-life situations such as school stress, friendships, identity questions, or family communication. For neurodivergent clients, I take a strengths-based and affirming stance, helping them recognise their abilities while also learning strategies to manage areas of challenge. Parents and caregivers are important partners in the process. Especially with younger clients, part of our work includes supporting parents to understand their child’s needs, creating consistent strategies at home, and strengthening family communication. With adolescents, I balance privacy and parent involvement thoughtfully, creating a space where teens can express themselves openly while ensuring families stay informed in appropriate ways. I am experienced in working with families who are navigating cultural transitions, blended family structures, and expat or international lifestyles. My style is warm, calm, non-pathologising, and collaborative. I do not view counselling as “fixing” a child, but rather helping them develop confidence, coping tools, emotional literacy, and a stronger sense of self. Many young people benefit from learning concrete skills such as identifying emotions, challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, building executive functioning, strengthening social communication, or creating healthier routines around sleep, screen use, or schoolwork. Through gentle psychoeducation, mindfulness-based exercises, and emotional regulation training, clients learn how to understand their bodies and minds, and how to choose strategies that help them feel more balanced, focused, and resilient. I also work affirmingly with gender-diverse and LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring that language, goals, and therapeutic space respect identity and autonomy. For expat and multicultural families, I bring awareness to issues such as adjustment, isolation, school transitions, language differences, and shifting support networks. These experiences can influence mood, self-esteem, and belonging, and it is important that counselling recognises these layers rather than assuming a single cultural context. Overall, my aim is for therapy to be an experience where children and teens feel seen, understood, and empowered, and where families feel supported rather than overwhelmed. Change is not always immediate, but with consistency, safety, and the right tools, young people can make meaningful gains in confidence, emotional regulation, relationships, and everyday functioning. My hope is that every client leaves with skills they can use in the real world and a deeper sense of who they are and what helps them thrive.

I have over a decade of experience supporting neurodiverse children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and emotional regulation challenges. My work combines psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural therapy, allowing me to provide evidence-based, compassionate care. I currently practise as an Integrative Psychotherapist and CBT Therapist, offering online therapy for adults and families across the Netherlands and internationally. Previously, I founded and directed the Aldeia NeuroBehaviour Institute International, leading multidisciplinary teams and developing holistic programmes for emotional regulation, executive functioning, and wellbeing. My experience across South Africa, the Netherlands, and Namibia gives me a deep understanding of expat life, cultural adaptation, and the mind–body connection in mental health.

My academic background includes a PhD in Early Childhood Intervention, a field that integrates psychology, neuroscience, and education to understand developmental and behavioural patterns across the lifespan. I also hold a Masters degree in Early Intervention and an Honours Bachelor degree in Psychology. I have completed five years of medical training and an additional 1 year of neurophysiological training with a focus on brain-based assessment and EEG applications. Over more than a decade, I have specialised in the intersection between neurodevelopment, mental health, and behaviour, combining clinical understanding with scientific insight. My doctoral research explores participation and emotional wellbeing among caregivers of patients with special needs, and I apply this knowledge in supporting neurodiverse clients of all ages — including those with ADHD, autism, and executive-function challenges. This foundation allows me to bridge evidence-based therapy with compassion and practicality, helping clients understand how their brains and emotions work together to shape everyday experience.