Nicole Bertrand
Counsellor
I specialise in:
About me
I am French-Mexican and I lived most of my life in Mauritius. I came to the Netherlands for my studies about 5 years ago and fell in love with this city. Leiden is where I found my passion for psychology, though I've recently moved my practice part-time to Utrecht. I’ve come to embrace a deeper understanding of my own psyche, and I genuinely hope to inspire you to embark on a similar journey of your own.
Being queer myself, I deeply value the individuality of human beings. My personal identity challenges societal norms and embraces intersectionality. As a result, I find it crucial to cultivate a community that thrives on empathy and understanding. I believe in the power of inclusivity and warmth within our shared space. Therefore, I value genuine curiosity and I want to learn how life feels like for you. That is why I aim to provide client-centred, individualised therapy that honours our human uniqueness. In that spirit, I offer you a toolkit that encompasses a variety of approaches based on differing schools of thought. This is what I want to bring to the table. Therapy catered to you.
Therapy is my passion: supporting people to find the strength to transform their lives, deepen their connection with themselves and their feelings is what I find most rewarding in life. I’ve had my own therapeutic journey which helps me understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the metaphorical table. I know how healing from long lasting negative self-image can be. We are a product of our upbringing and life experiences which can leave us feeling vulnerable. Therapy is the biggest act of self-love anyone could do for themselves. This is what I want to communicate with you. Learn to be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Let’s unlearn what doesn’t serve us and push forth what does.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
I hold a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Clinical Psychology, with a background in research in both clinical and health psychology. As an expat myself, I understand the feeling of being alone in an unfamiliar culture, which is why I offer culturally sensitive therapy that honours everyone’s unique background. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I also bring genuine curiosity and personal understanding to issues related to identity. My practice is rooted in an integrative approach, combining therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness techniques, and Somatic Processing. I tailor each treatment to your unique needs, supporting your healing and personal growth with compassion and care.
