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Juan Zhao
Coach & Relationship Coach
I am a certified coach with a PhD in Neuroscience, specialising in behaviour change at the intersection of science, self-awareness, and action. I support individuals in creating sustainable and grounded behaviour change.
I specialise in:
About me
I am a certified coach with a PhD in Neuroscience, working at the intersection of the brain, behaviour, and self-awareness.
I was born in a rural area of China and later moved to the Netherlands to pursue my PhD. Having spent nearly 20 years studying, working, and building a life across Eastern and Western cultures, I have developed a deep understanding of navigating different perspectives, identities, and expectations. These experiences continue to shape both who I am and how I coach.
I have worked as a tutor at leading universities and as an HR professional, giving me practical insight into how people learn, make decisions, and navigate challenges in both study and career contexts. Combined with over a decade of research on how the brain influences mood, emotion, and behaviour, I bring a neuroscience-informed perspective into my coaching.
Many of the people I work with know what they want and what needs to change, yet still struggle to take action. My work focuses on bridging the gap between insight and action, helping clients understand the patterns that drive their behaviour and translate awareness into consistent, meaningful change.
I offer a structured, reflective, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their internal and relational dynamics with honesty and clarity, and move forward in a way that feels grounded and sustainable.
I speak:
Location:
Media Gallery
Approach
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Humanistic and Client-Centred Coaching Grounded in humanistic psychology, this approach assumes that individuals are inherently capable of growth and self-direction. It emphasises empathic attunement, reflective inquiry, and the development of self-awareness as key mechanisms for change.
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Neuroscience-Informed Coaching This approach integrates findings from neuroscience, including neuroplasticity, habit formation, and emotional regulation. It conceptualises behaviour change as a process of modifying neural pathways through attention, repetition, and reinforcement, enabling more sustainable change over time.
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Behavioural and Cognitive Coaching Informed by cognitive-behavioural theory, this approach focuses on the interaction between cognition, emotion, and behaviour. It supports clients in identifying maladaptive thinking patterns, restructuring beliefs, and developing more adaptive behavioural responses.
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Systems and Relational Coaching Based on systems theory, this approach situates the individual within relational and organisational contexts. It examines patterns of interaction, feedback loops, and role dynamics, with the aim of improving relational awareness, communication, and systemic functioning.
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Goal-Oriented and Performance Coaching Grounded in goal-setting theory and performance psychology, this approach focuses on defining clear objectives, strengthening motivation, and translating insight into structured, measurable action.
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Parts-Based (Subpersonality) Work Drawing on parts-based models of the self, this approach views the individual as comprising multiple internal sub-systems or “parts.” It facilitates awareness of internal conflicts and supports the integration of these dynamics to enhance psychological flexibility and adaptive functioning.
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Integrative Coaching An integrative framework that synthesises multiple theoretical models depending on client needs. It allows for the simultaneous exploration of internal processes, behavioural patterns, and relational dynamics, supporting both insight generation and practical implementation.
Experience
Private Practice: Since November 2024: with hundreds of hours of coaching experience, I help my clients effectively transform their behaviours based on neuroscience knowledge.
2024-2025, Professional coach in training 2022-2024, Psychology sub-tutor at Erasmus University 2019-2025, HR and talent development 2008-2019, PhD and PostD in Neuroscience at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
Education
– Relationship coach training @ ORSC Training – Professional Coach Training @ International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- PhD in Neuroscience @ Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience from the Royal Academy • Thesis: Prefrontal gene expression changes in mood disorders and suicide
- MSc in Physiology
- BSc in Psychology
- BSc in Medicine
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Individual Session In-person
Couples Session In-person
Couples Sesison Online
Individual Session
Insurances
