ANNA
Nervous system Expert, Body-oriented (trauma) Therapist, Mother of two daughters & Partner
Anna is a body-oriented therapist, coach, and expert in the field of anxiety issues after pregnancy. She guides both women and men with stress-related issues concerning (work)/(romantic) relationships and parenthood, with a focus on nervous system regulation and processing early developmental trauma. Anna integrates body-oriented techniques with insight into early developmental patterns, enabling clients to experience greater mental and physical balance and be better able to shape their relationships and parenting.
My Story shaped my why
In short
I've suffered from various different health problems for most of my younger life. After the birth of my first one the fireworks really started to kick off. I experienced postpartum anxiety and physical health issues.
Since then I have studied energy healing, medicinal herbalism, somatic therapy/massage therapy and have followed trauma informed nervous system trainings.
Connection is the first step towards healing. When we feel seen and heard our nervous system can relax
​The beginning of my health challenges
I was diagnosed with asthma, eczema and allergies when I was only three years old. We were sitting in a circus back then and I started wheezing. My parents took me to the next doctor who told them what was happening. That was the start of a long road of medication, avoiding rolling around in the grass and being sick at home so much so that one teacher specifically was wondering why I missed school so much. Additionally I would feel what I only can describe as restless leg. I was 8 at the time. These things seem unrelated but bear with me. I'll explain.
Turning point: Questioning conventional medicine and discovering alternative approaches
With my age progressing I started to question the path of conventional medicine. Because I was stubborn in nature I looked for answers in alternative health care. I started studying medicinal herbalism, Energy medicine and learning about the impact that basic clean water and food can have on the body. As a result I started to see improvements in my health.
Pregnancy and postpartum: How motherhood amplified symptoms, leading to deeper inquiry
In 2017 I got pregnant with my first child. The pregnancy was less than perfect. I suffered intense morning sickness that continued throughout the whole day for the first 13 weeks. In that time I've lost a lot of weight and experiences extreme fatigue. I was emotionally overwhelmed. Things took a turn for the worse after I had given birth. I spiralled into postpartum depression. My world felt upside down. I didn't recognise myself anymore. My days were filled with constant anxiety, low mood and utter exhaustion. I was tired but wired and was hardly able to sleep at some point. I remember that having to take care of a newborn felt overwhelming and lonely. Next to that the eczema and allergies returned. I didn't understand the connection between becoming a mother and my health issues worsening.
Training as a somatic therapist and the mentorship with Irene Lyon
This was the point that really sparked my interest in the body-mind connection. Two years after the birth of my first born I started my studies as a Massage Therapist and somatic practitioner. I completed a 4 year study at the Akademie voor Massage and Beweging to become a licensed somatic therapist/ Massage Therapist. I learned that the body is building up tension when we fight or disconnect from a physical experience – meaning experiencing bodily sensations. I learned what it means to be embodied and to stay present when difficult emotions arise. Furthermore it equipped me with the knowledge and tools to support individuals in a therapeutic setting. I finished my studies on the topic of anxiety. This was a topic closely related to my own experience of becoming a mother. Part of writing that thesis was finding out the link of the nervous system and anxiety complaints.
Nervous system regulation as the key to shifting patterns, beyond just thoughts
I dove right in and applied for a mentorship program with Master Somatic Practitioner Irene Lyon.
Through her I've learned that nervous system dysregulation can not only show up as anxiety, worry or racing thoughts but also other physical symptoms such as restless leg and autoimmune disorders. Through my various studies I know that only talking or analysing or trying to change your thoughts isn't enough. To really shift these patterns you need to work on the level of the nervous system.
That's what I'm here to do. Helping you gain more knowledge about your own stress physiology, how it shaped your personality, your relationships, your mental and emoti0nal states and what is necessary to shift these patterns.
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Expertise:
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Nervous system regulation, early developmental stress, and stress management
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Anxiety complaints (social, general, post-pregnancy)
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Stress-related complaints regarding work/romantic relationships, parenthood, and the social context Guidance regarding uncertainty in dealing with children and/or partner
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Coping with shame surrounding emotional outbursts in a relational context
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Burnout symptoms
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Pain complaints
The present moment
Currently I am free from anxiety, allergies and other nervous system related symptoms that I used to experience in the past. Furthermore I overcame my fear of having another child. As a result of that my partner and me were happy to welcome another girl into this world, almost 7 years after the first one was born. My second pregnancy went very well, and this time I was able to enjoy having a baby. I now have my own practice in Utrecht and also work at Maan in Driebergen. Here, I guide people with stress-related complaints such as anxiety at work and in social settings, burnout, and pain, as well as parents experiencing stress related to parenthood.
My mission is simple: to help you regulate your nervous system, so that your life is not controlled by stress
What this means for you:
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Getting to know your own nervous system and your triggers
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A more regulated nervous system and more stable energy
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A better relationship with yourself and others
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Less chronic tension and pain
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Better sleep
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Emotional freedom
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Tools to stay in the moment
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Alignment with where you are in the moment
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Support from someone who has walked a similar path
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Support available in Dutch, English, and German
If you are curious how this translates into your life, I would love to get in touch with you. I am here to support you on your journey to more balance and ease.
Qualifications and training
Scientuitive Practitioner Track (SPT) Level 1
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Online and in-person training components, group work, personal practical experience, public teachings, and in-person meetings.
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Review and revision of the basic principles of nervous system health to build continuous regulation and capacity. Development of competence to teach and instruct fundamental aspects of nervous system enhancement. Group work aimed at improving communication regarding nervous system health and related topics.
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Practical experience through peer learning, fieldwork, teaching practices, and an in-person retreat, all focused on nervous system regulation.
Irene Lyon
Body-based Therapy/Massage Therapy
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Four-year therapeutic training that brings together body awareness, movement, and touch to facilitate deep healing.
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Strong focus on psychosomatic processes and body-centered self-discovery.
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Research into how movement and touch can release tension, improve body awareness, and support nervous system regulation.
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Practical skills to promote regulation within a therapeutic context.
Academy for Massage and Movement
Eden Energy Medicine
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Learning about the body's energy system and how stress can influence this
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Simple exercises to promote resilience, greater emotional balance, and overall well-being
Eden Method
Neural Reset Therapy (NRT)
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Non-invasive manual therapy
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Resetting the nervous system = restoring normal muscle and nerve responses
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Aimed at both acute (sudden) and chronic (long-term) complaints
Yvette Groenewegen
Reiki Level 1,2 en Master
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Reiki is a Japanese, non-invasive energy healing method aimed at promoting deep relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting overall well-being.
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By balancing the energy fields in the body, the body's self-healing capacity is stimulated, creating space for both physical and mental relaxation.
Lesley Finlayson, Nicola Romme, Justin Peach