WELCOME
As a psychologist, trainer, and researcher specializing in third-generation Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
—including Mindfulness, Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)— I invite you to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.
Together, we will explore how reconnecting with your core values, emotions, bodily signals, and intrinsic needs can empower you to make more intentional and authentic choices. This process not only enhances psychological flexibility but also fosters a greater sense of ease, compassion, and fulfillment in everyday life.
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of yourself and cultivate a life that aligns with your values, I would be honored to guide you through this meaningful process. Take the first step today and experience how evidence-based techniques can help you live a richer, more connected life.
Challenges & Approaches
CHALLENGES
Do you experience one or several of the following: stress, burnout, restlessness, indicisiveness, uncertainty, worry, self-critical thoughts, reactivity, anxiety or feeling blue?
Would you like to unlock yourself and live life more to the fullest by stepping out of automatic unhelpful behavior, dealing better with difficult emotions and making more conscious decisions in life? Then you are at the right place. Book your first session now or check out the package deals.
Are you in doubt or do you have any further questions? Perhaps an introductory call would be useful.
APPROACHES
Sessions are provided both in English or Dutch and are based on the following approaches:
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Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL)
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Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Problem Solving Therapy (PST)
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MBCT for Life (MBCT-L)
With a particular focus on:
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Strong Inner Critic
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Work/Life Balance
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Personal Development
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Stress Management & Burnout
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Resilient and Loving Relationships (self & others)
Evidence Based
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Research on mindfulness and compassion-based approaches has emerged rapidly over the last decennia and has shown to be effective by reducing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and mental distress, while improving mindfulness, well-being, compassion and job satisfaction [1,2,3].
By becoming more aware of the interplay between thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations and its resulting behavior with a mild and non-judgmental stance, space arises to step out of automatic (unhelpful) patterns such as negative/critical thinking, worry, or acting out.
This allows you to make more conscious decisions on how to respond, rather than react. Neuroscience research supports that meditation improves self-regulation skills [4,5]. In addition, there is scientific support among several clinical (e.g., distress, depression, anxiety) and non-clinical populations (e.g., job-related, healthcare, students) that these techniques can be of support.
Client Experiences
About Marleen
BACKGROUND
Marleen ter Avest is an international psychologist and mindfulness and compassion (teacher) trainer and supervisor based in Amsterdam and online. She has been practicing meditation over 10 years and obtained a PhD on the working mechanisms of mindfulness and compassion in people with depression in 2021. What sets Marleen's coaching and training services apart is her specialization, down-to-earth approach, and scientific knowledge. She values quality over quantity and is known for her openness, humor, non-judgmental attitude and warmth.
FULL BIO
MAIN EDUCATION
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2024 | EFIT Essentials - International Centre for Excellence in EFT, Ottawa, Ontario, CA
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2022 | Supervision Pathway Level 1 - The Mindfulness Network, Wakefield, UK
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2022 | ACT - Stichting Regionaal Instituut voor Nascholing en Opleiding (RINO) Utrecht, NL
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2021 | PhD on working mechanisms MBCT/MBCL for depression - Radboudumc CvM, Nijmegen, NL
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2020 | Teacher Training MBCL (cat. A) - Instituut voor Mindfulness, Nooitgedacht, NL
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2019 | Teacher Training MBSR & MBCT (cat. 1) - Radboud University Medical Center (umc), Expertise Center for Mindfulness (CvM), Nijmegen, NL
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2016 | MS Clinical Psychology - VU Amsterdam, NL
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2014 | BS Clinical and Organizational Psychology - VU Amsterdam, NL
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2010 | BS Medicine - Free University (VU) Amsterdam, NL
Book a Session
Or check out the package deals and receive 5-10% discount.
News
UPCOMING Deepening Day: (Re-) Connecting to your Core Values and Intention Setting for 2025 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Deepening day creating space for stillness, inspiration and deepening of insights, allowing you to set clear intentions for 2025, in line with your core values, aspirations and personal needs.
UPCOMING Deepening Day: Dealing with the Inner Critic in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Deepening day including practices based on mindfulness, compassion and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help us deal better with our inner critic.
Article in Newspaper NRC Handelsblad
Interview with dr. Marleen ter Avest, prof. dr. Willem Kuyken, and dr. Maya Schroevers about the effects and workingmechanisms of Mindfulness in (recurrent) Depression. Source: NRC, Gemma Venhuizen, 19-09-2021.
Contact Marleen
If you have any other questions or request (e.g., a workshop, lecture, or training at your company), feel free to fill out the contact form and Marleen will contact you shortly.
PHONE
Partners
