Rayka Zavaro Dalva

"I strongly believe that the best therapy combines knowledge and care"

The way we perceive ourselves and the world around us is shaped during our early childhood. From a very early age, we start wearing a glass and view the world through it. This glass includes fixed beliefs about ourselves and our relationship with others, our behaviors, and feelings. Although wearing this glass causes suffering and problems in our lives, it is comfortable and familiar. However, once we realize that despite how familiar wearing this glass is, it is not useful for us anymore and it leads to challenges in our lives, we take the first step of change. The moment you take this first step in your lives towards seeking support, I will be there for you to help you on this journey!

As an international living in a foreign country, I have experienced firsthand the unique challenges that people may face. This experience has shaped my practice and has introduced me the Buddhist and Hindu symbol “Unalome”, which represents the idea that the path to enlightenment is not straight and is full of challenges. I realized that this symbol is a powerful metaphor for the process of psychological therapy. While the path may not always be easy, together we will navigate the twists and turns of your therapeutic journey. At the heart of my practice is the belief that “We are all on this journey together!” and that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and validated. Life can be challenging, but I’m here to provide you with a safe and supportive space to help you explore your innermost selves and find healing. Through teamwork, we will take a close look at how your current glass is impacting your life and find a more useful, practical glass to replace it.

If you would like to discuss whether my therapy approach is the best fit for your needs, please contact me to schedule our first initial 20-minutes consultation session for free!

Education: 2017-2020 BSc in Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands (GPA: 7.3/10) Specialisation: Clinical Psychology

2020 - 2022 research MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands (GPA: 8.04/10, Cum Laude)

• Additional Coursework: Basic Therapeutic Skills, Clinical Interviewing and Assessment, Cognitive Behavioural Interventions, Clinical Practical Internship

December, 2022: Certification for the "Training Module for Schema Therapy" approved by the International Society of Schema Therapy

Work Experience: January 2024 - Present: Psychologist at PsySpectrum (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

April 2023 - Present: Psychologist at Raja Psychologie (Den Haag, the Netherlands)

March 2023- Present: Founder of Unalome Journey - Individual Therapy: "We're on this journey together!"

March 2023 - Present: Providing online individual therapy sessions using Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Schema-Focused Therapy, to improve client's mental health and wellbeing

February 2023 - April 2023: Lecturer in Clinical Psychology: Instructed second-year Psychology (BSc) students in workgroups for the Clinical Psychology specialization course

2020-2021: Clinical Psychology Intern - Guzel Gunler Clinic at Dr. Mehmet Yankı Yazgan's Office, Istanbul, Turkey

• Tasks: Supporting the routine preparation work, joining to the intakes by psychotherapists and psychiatrists as an observer, making child observation during sessions, assisting various projects