Gaya Yona
Psychological Counsellor & Psychologist
English & Hebrew Psychologist | Supporting Expats & Young Adults Navigating Anxiety, Life Transitions, Cultural Adjustment & Emotional Well-Being
I specialise in:
About me
There are periods in life when the way we usually understand ourselves no longer seems to fit. A move, a changing relationship, a demanding stage of adulthood, or ongoing anxiety can make familiar choices feel uncertain. I am interested in these moments—not only in reducing distress, but in helping people understand what is happening beneath it and what they may need next.
I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Tel Aviv University, where I completed two years of practical training in therapeutic settings. I worked with university students, children, adolescents, and parents experiencing anxiety, adjustment difficulties, emotional distress, and relational challenges. My work is informed by psychodynamic thinking and CBT, combining curiosity about deeper emotional patterns with practical and structured support.
Relocating to the Netherlands added another dimension to my understanding of transition. It made questions of identity, belonging, independence, and connection more immediate, and strengthened my interest in working with expats and young adults building their lives across cultures. I offer counselling in English and Hebrew, creating a thoughtful and non-judgmental space in which clients can explore their experiences, recognise patterns, and develop a clearer sense of how they want to move forward.
Areas of Focus:
Anxiety and ongoing worry,
Adjustment difficulties and life transitions,
Emotional distress and feeling stuck,
Relationship and interpersonal difficulties,
Expat experiences, cultural adjustment, and belonging,
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My approach is empathic, attentive, and collaborative, while also making space for thoughtful and sometimes challenging questions. I draw on CBT, psychodynamic thinking, emotion-focused techniques, and mindfulness, combining practical strategies with deeper self-exploration.
Together, we work to understand recurring patterns, strengthen your ways of coping, and identify changes that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Experience
Psychological Counsellor – Private Practice, Netherlands (2024–Present) Providing client-centered sessions in English and Hebrew for adults, focusing on insight, coping strategies, and personal growth.
Practical Training – Clinical Psychology – Tel Aviv University & Associated Clinical Settings, Israel (2019–2021) Worked with students on depression, anxiety, social and separation issues (psychodynamic therapy) and with children at Schneider Children’s Hospital Anxiety Clinic (CBT, biofeedback, psychodynamic). Conducted intakes, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment planning.
Volunteer – Schneider Children’s Hospital, New Authority Unit, Israel (2018–2019) Assisted clinical psychologists supporting parents of children with behavioral challenges, providing weekly guidance calls and observing therapy sessions using Haim Omer’s “New Authority” method.
Education
PhD in Media Psychology – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands (2023–Present) Exploring the effects of exposure to narrative complexity in popular films and TV shows on cognition and emotion.
Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology – Tel Aviv University, Israel (2019–2021) Completed two years of practical training in therapeutic settings, including individual and group therapy, assessment, and treatment planning.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology & Film Studies – Tel Aviv University, Israel (2014–2017) Foundation in psychological theory, research methods, human development, and media/film analysis.
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Insurances
