The therapist

portrait photo of the therapist

I am Femke Soethoudt (1982). I work in my own practice since 2007 as a child psychologist, orthopedagogue and integrative child therapist. I do this work with a lot of joy and love.

I studied for orthopedagogue at the Free University (VU) in Amsterdam from 2000 till 2004. I did an internship in the centre for children’s psychiatry Triversum in Alkmaar. I learned a lot from and about children with psychiatric problems. I worked as an orthopedagogue at the Mytylschool in Amsterdam from 2007 until 2013. This is a school for children with a physical or multiple disability. I played a major role in developing and implementing the ‘Leerlijn Handicapbeleving’. This is an extended and practical program about how a school can support children in dealing with their disability. This program is being used at other schools around the country. I also played a big role in the development of the corresponding training for parents.

I studied ‘integrative children’s therapy’ at the Dutch Academy for Psychotherapy (NAP) in Amsterdam from 2005 till 2009. This is a very practical study that matches my beliefs that you can only truly help children when you take them seriously and let them experience their own power and qualities. An open attitude that looks at the child as a whole is the base. I work in my practice in a personal way with children, parents and others around the child. I love my job and am always amazed when a child shows itself, finds the courage needed and looks at life more relaxed and self confident.

After my studies I kept on developing myself. I have been researching and experiencing how the wisdom of the body can be used in therapy. I followed a course in Somatic Experiencing from Maggie Kline about trauma and since 2015 I train other therapists in how to work with the wisdom of the body with children. I also followed a training to become EMDR Master Practitioner and did a course about working with family systems with little duplo/playmobil figures on the table.

In addition to my studies and work in my practice I have always worked in different areas of care and education. I love to work with people of all ages, with or without all kinds of talents and disabilities.