Aranja Berkmüller

I believe healing is a natural process that takes place when we feel safe enough to do so. I support you to reach that space and navigate the mess – with humour, heartfelt care, and a gentle no-bullshit attitude. I show up as a person first and foremost and as a practitioner second. I’m not interested in only being your mirror and asking “how do you feel about that?”. I think it's important to share my impressions because it can feel very unsafe to have a practitioner ask you questions based on hidden thoughts and hypotheses. I offer my observations and you are always welcome to disagree with and correct me. My sessions are an invitation to examine an issue and experiment with it. We can try out creative, visual, somatic or thought-based exercises and see how your system responds. My body-based counselling tends to have the strongest results, but there is nothing wrong with talk-based sessions if somatics are not your cup of tea. My process is open and non-linear and is effective because we remove the pressure of achieving a certain result, something I think we already have too much of under capitalism. Instead, we work with an intention, but stay away from "treatment goals" because it divides results into "success" and "failure". We're not here to judge, but to gently test things out at the end of our comfort zone. It's about getting to know your habitual responses and offering your system new experiences in order to set you on a new path. I don't believe that mental health is an individual issue, especially if you are dealing with structural injustice and find yourself in situations of limited choice. Together we find a balance between what is your responsibility and what is not. You can talk to me about sensitive topics such as kink, poly relationships, sex work, death and dying, psychedelics etc. We can also address things that you may feel shame around such as sex, disordered eating, money, compulsive habits, or regrets. I'm here for it. HOW TO BOOK SESSIONS: I work online Wednesdays and Fridays, and in person on Thursdays. You can book all my offers at https://calendly.com/aranjab Offers include: 60min Deep Conversation: when you don't want to be counselled, but just want to have a meaningful conversation 30min Quick Personal Guidance: when you want my insight on a small matter 60min Kink Coaching: when you want support with a kink-related topic 60min Psychedelic Preparation/Integration If you're looking for counselling that is not specific to kink or psychedelics and are interested in my more affordable package rates, please book an intro call with me first to see if it's a fit. We’ll talk about what you're looking for, how I could support you, how I work, and answer any questions. Looking forward to meeting you!

2023 - current: systemic and psychological counsellor and coach at amplified-humanity.com 2019 - 2023: counsellor for queer and trans* people of colour at Casa Kuà 2019 - current: volunteer in psychedelic crisis support at eclipse e.V. 2016 - current: kink coach, lingerie designer and founder at Pique Lingerie 2016: full-time caregiver to terminally ill family member 2015: sabbatical to establish new direction personally and professionally 2006 - 2014: international development and aid work specialising in human rights, gender, and poverty reduction

2022 - 2023: Recognising and Healing Developmental Trauma and Early Injuries - Relationship and Safety with Clients, Dami Charf 2022 - 2023: Psychological and Systemic Coach and Counsellor, Verbund freier Trainer und Coaches 2020: Death Doula training (Sterbebegleitung), Hospizdienst Horizont 2010: Postgraduate program in International Development, Humboldt University Berlin 2006 - 2007: Master of Science in International Development Studies, University Utrecht 2003 - 2006: Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, University College Utrecht