Sander Machielsen
One of the most common themes that clients struggle with is also not unknown to me; how to deal with emotions; how to really feel, express and process them.
In my own hero's journey it took a while to get more and more in touch with this part of myself. Rationalizing and putting things into perspective were strongly present and ‘protected’ me from feeling complex emotions, such as shame, sadness and anger.
This ‘protection’ was functional for moving around in the world with seemingly ease. At a young age I practiced tennis on a high level and later on I obtained my university degrees (history and journalism) by the book.
However, unresolved emotions brew beneath the surface like a dormant volcano. After working in an office for three years, I left with a burnout; tired of suppressing that which gasped for air and wanted to be seen.
When I decided to change course I learned to listen to my intrinsic motivations. Thanks to the training at the Jung Academy, I reconnected with repressed pieces in myself (shadow work) and gradually became animated again. Life simply wanted nothing else than to flow.
Working with people myself and passing on what I was allowed to learn from my teachers is therefore a logical next step. In my sessions I combine Jungian ideas with the ancient wisdom from the East (Bhagavad Gita, Advaita Vedanta). Both traditions speak of the importance of self-knowledge for living a meaningful life.
Knowledge of the self is not so much teaching yourself new things as it is mainly unlearning limited beliefs about who you think you are. In this way an inner journey leads step by step to greater clarity.
I'd love to meet you on your journey.
Testimonials
“The work I did with Sander was very helpful in encouraging me to identify what stories exist within my subconscious mind. This has helped me on a daily basis to ask myself questions about why I am feeling or thinking in certain ways and act accordingly. Sander was extremely easy to talk to and never made me feel like I was being judged or lectured.”
— Emily, 27
‘‘My therapy with Sander is different from all other therapies I know; this is therapy with a vision. I feel that I am growing, moving somewhere, even though I don't know where I will end up yet. That doesn't matter, because Sander creates a safe, respectful and equal therapy climate, so that I can surrender to this adventure with confidence.’’
— Cécile, 60
‘‘After each session a little light shone on places where it was previously dark (on parts of myself that were as yet unknown to me). I liked that we looked at what was "needed" every time in the moment.’’