What clients say about us

What clients say about us

• ““If I have to talk to a psychologist anyway, then not to some floaty, woolly type” was one of the search criteria in my head once I had accepted that, just for now, I could not solve it on my own. And I wanted to get to work, because secretly I felt I had no time for a psychologist at all. With Merel it felt right straight away. My prejudices about psychologists went overboard in one go. It was immediately clear that I had to get to work, and with the necessary homework I could not avoid taking a critical look at my own behaviour at home either. And above all at my thinking. I do not believe I have ever said the word ‘consciously’ as often as in the past weeks. Getting the feeling that you are doing the work yourself, to come out of it much better in the end, makes you strong and confident. Thank you Merel!”

• “It was a difficult period in our marriage for both of us. Through this relationship therapy with psychologist Merel Hovestad you learn to gain insight into your own behaviour, and that there is no single truth. I have learned to be honest with yourself and with the other. By being gentler — and you have to keep working on your relationship constantly.”

• “Merel helped me by applying EFT to my stage fright. After just one session my fear had already been cut in half, with the result that I spoke in the Beatrix Theatre in front of more than 700 people with healthy nerves. Truly recommended for anyone who does not want to be ruled by their fears but wants to let them go.”

• “Merel is definitely recommended if you are looking for a psychologist in Noordwijk and the surrounding area. Merel makes room for everything in her sessions and nothing is strange or too much. So nice to be able to share everything. Merel also goes beyond just talking: partly thanks to EFT I have learned to handle my emotions better! I had my last sessions by video call. Still had really good conversations and guidance, so that is definitely recommended too!”

• “A good practice: no endless waiting times, but an intake within a few days and the first session shortly after. The practice does not work with assistants or receptionists — you get Merel directly on the phone, or a reply from her by email. Merel is pragmatic and quickly analyses where the possible problems come from, so a plan can be drawn up swiftly. The practice is in a beautiful location on the edge of a wood; when possible, the sessions can also take place while walking in the woods. Lots of tips and tricks to work on yourself, but Merel is always there as back-up.”

• “I had grief to process from the loss of two babies, and after that the joy of the arrival of a new baby. How do you give that grief a place, and how, after two years of fear, tension and sorrow, can you enjoy your new happiness without guilt? On the midwife’s advice I came into contact with Merel. The first conversation was immediately very pleasant. She managed to create a bond of trust that allowed me to discuss my feelings openly. Together with me she first tried to clarify what the goal was of the psychological help I was looking for, to get a clear picture of what she could offer me. She managed to let the emotions and the grief come out. Merel helped me enormously with that by listening, watching closely and asking very focused questions. The conversations were pleasant, sometimes tough, but always safe. For me it was a release, and it felt very good to receive feedback in a professional way. Making yourself vulnerable with someone you do not know is scary and difficult. In a very natural way, Merel creates an atmosphere that is safe enough to be able to do this. She also gives insight and explanation into how our psyche works and how you can deal with certain things. Thank you so much!”

• “After the summer (2014) I noticed I was not rested and did not have the energy to get back to work with pleasure. In the preceding period there had been a reorganisation at my work, which resulted in a higher workload. Tasks, responsibilities and authority had also been repositioned, so my role no longer matched my own motivations, and my work drained my energy. My father also passed away after a two-year illness, and in the same period my father-in-law was declared terminally ill. That meant a lot of arranging and stress at home as well. At the end of 2013 I had also started a university degree into which I put a lot of energy. All of this together was too much, both mentally and physically. It resulted in poor sleep and physical complaints such as headaches and tension in my stomach. So I went looking for guidance to put things back into the right perspective. Browsing the internet, the content of the Psycholoog Noordwijk website appealed to me straight away. The telephone contact was pleasant and I could see Merel within a week. My experience with Psycholoog Noordwijk: in the pleasant conversations with Merel she gave me insights and practical tools that allowed me to put my experiences of the past period back into the right proportion. The tools are especially valuable because you can apply them in all kinds of situations. The result is that my energy balance is doing better, I have made the decision to leave my role, and completing my studies is going to bring me a job that suits me.”

• “Complaints: how do I tell my partner when I want something different from what he wants — without an argument starting immediately, and without me feeling forced to do what he wants? Being assertive without coming across as aggressive. My wish is to communicate with a feeling of safety and trust. Merel guided us in this for a year; we practised the various tools she handed us almost daily. An intense time. On the follow-up days we received extra explanation, homework included. She explained things well, and because we had to practise on the spot she could guide us through it. She also named facts that we kept from each other, or threw at each other. I had good hopes that we would achieve something, and we did. I am well aware that the work has to continue constantly, but our relationship is worth it. Merel let us do the heavy lifting ourselves, and that feels good. Yet I also appreciate the unobtrusive but important role she played. Without her, we would probably have signed the divorce papers already.”

• “Describe your complaints at the start of treatment: I was severely low because of many unprocessed emotions from the past and present. My experience with psychologist Merel Hovestad was very positive. As a client I was treated with respect. She listened well and shaped the treatment around what I indicated. Smarttapping EFT was a very good tool to help me through all kinds of emotions, and one I could also apply to myself. A successful treatment? Yes! I sleep well again, can handle difficult feelings and have started to talk about things more.”

• “An anxiety disorder that held my life back and made me feel I was not getting everything out of life. Merel is a pleasant person with whom I quickly felt at ease. I really appreciated that in the end we tackled more aspects, not just the anxiety disorder. For me the most important method was the Smarttapping EFT technique, especially because it is a technique you can also apply yourself. This treatment has been successful for me, now that I feel more comfortable in my own skin and understand more about the human brain. That explains a lot about why we act in certain ways.”

• “When I noticed I was going too far in putting myself last, I knew I needed professional help. After some searching online for psychologists in the Noordwijk area, I ended up on Merel’s site. After a first phone call I actually knew straight away that Merel was the one who could help me. That first feeling proved right: Merel gave me back my self-confidence by looking in a practical, down-to-earth way at what caused my problems. Using various models and practical tips she gave me insight into the cause, and into how I can use that knowledge to regain my self-confidence. Merel is very professional and very quickly gives you the feeling that you can work constructively, in a safe environment, on whatever it is you have come to her for. Merel has helped me enormously and I will certainly ask her to coach me again now and then in the future. Thank you!!”

• “I underwent therapy with Merel Hovestad for my anger management. By our second session Merel had already “found the leak”, which enabled me to analyse my behaviour and begin the therapy. Merel works on the process in a calm but decisive way, while letting the “patient” achieve the results themselves. This approach strengthened my self-awareness and gradually helped me get my problem under control. After a number of sessions Merel also involved my partner in the process, which allowed me to close a circle and better distinguish cause from effect. My partner can now also respond better to my problem, and as a result the calm has returned to our relationship. I am very grateful to Merel for her approach and her expert way of treating, and I am glad I took the step towards therapy with her.”

• “I felt weighed down, sad and restless. Merel is an incredibly kind and warm person. Everything is normal; she responds as herself, as a person, not from a checklist. She knows how to substantiate the theories very well and make them understandable. For me, Smarttapping EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) was the most important method of the treatment. It works effectively, purposefully and fast. The treatment has truly been successful for me: I can laugh again! I accept myself, and I have overview and calm in my head again.”

• “After a kind of ‘short circuit’ in my head about whether or not I should stay with my husband, I ended up with you — and how glad I am that I found you! You helped me so incredibly well to see things in life differently. That it is my path! To make my own decisions without worrying about what others think. That life is not only black and white but also ‘grey’ (a middle way), and that taking the middle way is fine too! After doing a few sessions with you, I truly stand differently in life. You helped me so well to cut the knot. Thank you so, so much! Love, Denise”

• “The trigger for me was extremely restless sleep with a lot of movement, shouting, etcetera. Only I did not notice it myself. Sport, however, had been going much worse for months. I used to be at half-marathon level, and now I was simply spent after half an hour. My GP made it clear that I was living on my reserve battery and was well on my way to a burnout. I also had a progressive form of sleep disorder. All the stops were pulled out: medication, working considerably less and, on the GP’s advice, seeing a psychologist. In my case he recommended Merel, because among other things she provides psychological care for work-related problems. I was not ashamed of it and spoke with her openly. Let it be clear: the way I saw it, I had no other choice! The worst problems quickly lessened just by talking; she held up a mirror to me, confronted me with myself and also gave me “homework”. She forced me, in a positive way, to think about myself, about what I was actually doing and about what choices I could make. Of course the basis is a certain click between the treating psychologist and the client. With her it felt trusted from the very first moment; I could and dared to share my story with her. So Merel: thank you for putting me back on track.”

• “Merel is a friendly woman who is easy to talk to. She gives you good tools to understand yourself. It is all not so heavy and difficult once you learn to redirect your thoughts (and actions). I got a lot out of the conversations with Merel, but especially out of the written ‘assignments’ I did. That way I always have a reference at hand. Merel helped me well and I would certainly recommend her guidance to others!”

• “After a serious mental breakdown and the realisation that I could not solve this myself, I sought help from Merel. After the introduction and the first conversations I quickly became aware of what had caused it, and my conviction grew that I wanted it resolved. Merel guided me through this in a pleasant way and knew how to keep me on the right track towards recovery. Merel has the knowledge, the means and the skills to create awareness, and gave me the insight to accept life as it is. This has given me much-needed calm, bringing back balance, self-confidence and joy in life. Merel, I can move on again... thank you so much!!”

• “Having become stuck in my marriage, partly because of a lot of trouble with my teenage son, I sought help. About that trouble, among other things, my husband and I were not on the same page. I was constantly told I was impossible to deal with because of my hormones, the menopause. Everything was my fault; I was nagging. When a negative mirror is held up to you for long enough, you start to believe it yourself. The kilos piled on. I was not happy. Something I recommend to everyone: facing yourself with expert help. I found that help with Merel. I also went to the gym — another wonderful way to clear your head. Merel is an expert; she does not simply agree with you, she lets you finish speaking and then asks questions that are hard to answer at first — it opens your eyes. You are shown an honest mirror and given tools to work with. It has done me a world of good. I found myself again. The old Astrid, the fun, spontaneous, happy Astrid. After that I dared to take major, positive decisions in my life. I am a different, happier person — myself again — partly thanks to Merel.”

• “After hiding my insecurity and fear of failure for a long time, I was referred via another psychologist to Psycholoog Noordwijk to specifically tackle my fear of failure around driving. In this course, thanks to the theory, I mainly learned that I am absolutely not the only one with this ‘problem’, and that it is definitely not just between your ears. In this period I above all gained many tools to keep my anxiety under control, but more importantly: I accepted that I have this, that it will never disappear completely, but that it says nothing about me and who I am. Using Smarttapping EFT I was able to take away 90% of my driving-test stress, so after failing four times I have now, happily, passed my driving test! I want to thank you once again for all your help and motivation, thanks to which, in the end, I did it myself after all.”

• “Following a serious condition — and, at the same time, three family members passing away within a short period — I lost, on medical grounds, my very good job, which was also my hobby, and my zest for life. Left behind with, in several respects, a great emptiness and a tendency towards depression and burnout. Determined to work on myself to give the rest of my — now clipped and disabled — life a positive shape. Looking for some psychological help nearby, I quickly ended up with Merel. Nice and close by, approachable. Open-minded, fresh. After ten or so sessions I had discovered some openings I could take into the summer. Combined with the knowledge I had gained before, a recipe that gives me a much-needed boost. However strong a personality you are (which I was/am), now and then you need a few tips and hints ‘from outside’. No matter what your role or status in society is.”

• “During my participation in ‘De Grote Herkansing’, Merel showed me how our brain works when it comes to (bad) eating habits. If you want to lose weight permanently, you will not only have to change your food and exercise, but also put your brain to work to adopt different habits. And that may well be the hardest part. But insight is the first step to success. We also changed my self-image with the help of EFT. If you are open to it, it really works! I have learned a great deal from Merel, a very professional and motivating psychologist!”

• “Through coaching and Smarttapping, Merel brings insights and new perspectives. She works from the strength within yourself and puts that at the centre. Recommended for everyone!”

• “For as long as I can remember I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks from time to time. In recent years it had been less, but suddenly it was back and started to affect my life in more and more ways. I did not want to go straight back into a whole mental-health-care programme, but needed a direct and practical approach. My GP therefore referred me to Merel. I immediately felt at ease with Merel, but to be completely honest I was quite sceptical about the Smarttapping EFT technique at first. It felt a bit strange and I did not think it could help me. During my second appointment I said so straight away, and Merel responded very understandingly. We then set to work in a different way, and agreed that if I did want to work with the EFT technique after all, I would say so myself. In the first appointments we focused mainly on cognitive behavioural therapy, which gave me a lot of insight into how anxiety and panic work and how I can recognise the signals in myself. This made me see that anxious feelings and thoughts are not realistic, even when it sometimes felt so strongly that they were. Then I became curious about the EFT technique after all. Even though I still do not understand exactly how it works, in the end the tapping helped me enormously in letting go of the feelings of anxiety and panic. I came to Merel looking for concrete tools to deal with situations and moments that are difficult for me, and those I largely got from the EFT technique. Experiencing that even in the middle of a panic attack I can calm myself down again by tapping has given me much more self-confidence. I now feel strong enough again to do everything I want, and I know that even in the most confronting situations I can overcome my fears. Besides the cognitive behavioural therapy and the EFT technique, what helped me was Merel’s guidance. As I said, I felt at ease with her very quickly. Merel is friendly, understanding and does not judge. She also managed to motivate me time and again to keep working on myself and not to stop at “I feel okay”, but to push on until I felt completely well again.”

• “A good eighteen months ago I came to Merel to start relationship therapy. It never got beyond two sessions; my then wife decided to leave me for good after 21 years of marriage. At that moment, and in the period that followed, I experienced pain and fears I had never felt before. Nothing came naturally any more; I no longer knew what, how and when to communicate, or what to do with my emotions. And how was I to deal with my children’s grief, and with the emotions and advice of loved ones around me? Meanwhile I had to keep the household and my full-time job going. It was all more than I could handle on my own. I realised I needed help in the form of an independent and wise psychologist. Fortunately I did not have to go looking for one: in our introductory meeting Merel had already let me experience the power of Smarttapping EFT. What followed from then on were not only EFT sessions, but also talking sessions and walking sessions. I read books she lent me, watched videos she sent, attended workshops and even took her advice to start exercising, partly to channel my anger. Merel was involved and sincerely committed, and gave me many insights in all kinds of areas. The special thing was that I did not become dependent; on the contrary, she gave me tools to get to work myself. The hardest moments were the ones when I was alone, and precisely then I could apply EFT myself. That way I was able to take the sharp edges off the pain, or make sure I got a good night’s sleep. Merel shed her light on the abilities I already possessed to deal with difficult and painful situations. Step by step, I moved forward. When I noticed I could make my own decisions again and find the right words again, the time had come to stop the sessions. The insights I have gained will help me for the rest of my life. I look to the future with confidence and complete calm: I can enjoy the good things life offers me again, and I also know I will be able to handle setbacks. Merel, as you can read, I am very happy and grateful that I met you at the worst moment of my life. Thank you for everything. With love, Hilde, 48”

• “Smarttapping EFT? Never heard of it, but if it helps against stress and negative thoughts, I am happy to try it! That was reason enough for me to sign up for the two-day Smarttapping EFT training with Merel of Psycholoog Noordwijk. After some more research online, my enthusiasm grew. I have been working for a while on reducing feelings of stress and being less critical of myself, looking for what works for me. That is how Smarttapping EFT came onto my path too. Because how nice would it be to be able to relieve myself of my stress feelings quickly, and also to apply this with the people I support in my work. Still somewhat sceptical, the training began with a round of introductions, in which a traumatic experience of a fellow participant immediately came up. A good moment to address it and to see how Merel applies the Smarttapping EFT techniques. What the other participants, including myself, were allowed to witness there was very special. The negative charge of the feelings was tapped away, and space emerged to look at the event from more distance and talk about it. Later in the training I got to experience this myself. I struggle with needles; I always dread having an injection and turn my head away whenever a needle appears on TV. During the tapping, together with Merel, I tapped on various images while I felt the charge of the negative feelings sink away. Very special. By tapping on acupressure points, stress-reduction signals are sent to the part of the brain that is activated by fear. This, combined with expressing feelings and thoughts, together with saying out loud that you ‘accept and value yourself exactly as you are’, works very well. I am now convinced, having experienced it — in the week after tapping on this subject I even watched footage on TV of someone being vaccinated. I did not even have to look away! That I am already noticing such an effect shows how effective this technique is. During the training there was room for the background of the method and its working factors, and we were also able to practise a lot, tapping on each other. Between the training days we also practised with each other over FaceTime. A nice way to master the technique even better. The app Merel developed certainly contributed to this too. Through this app you can tap along with Merel, become aware of your negative thoughts and experiences, and actively work on them. You can keep a diary, meditate and do other exercises. I have already practised with it and will certainly continue. I want to thank Merel for making this training possible; through her enthusiasm and expertise many more people will start using this technique, and so more people will get to experience how special it is and what it can bring. In turn, I hope to make others enthusiastic about it and introduce them to Smarttapping.”

• “Sadness, anger, stress, loneliness. All signals that I was not happy in my relationship. I was in a relationship in which expressing feelings was not possible; what he did not feel could not exist, was not allowed to exist. The emotional poverty between us led to estrangement and distance. For two years, with the help of a therapist and a psychologist, we both did our best. But you do not solve autistic-like traits by talking. And I still felt sad, lonely. Stay or leave? On a friend’s advice I came to Merel, alone, because this would be my decision, and I found it a heavy one. I know that a divorce does not simply mean the sun breaks through. Step by step we went through the questions I was wrestling with, such as my intense emotions. Merel made me see that basic safety was missing in this relationship. That is why incidents unsettle me so quickly. When it comes down to it, my partner cannot reassure me, and I cannot reassure myself. Then I start fighting for the relationship — a form of survival, and very natural. That also makes me fall into a demanding role, which gives me no satisfaction. Because I hope that he will support me of his own accord, without me having to fight for it. Next we discussed ‘the old cows of grief’, and to what extent they still played a part in the flaring up of my emotions. Finally we came to the possibility of acceptance. Previous joint therapies had shown that I cannot expect more from my partner than what he has shown so far. There is insufficient potential for growth. Did I want to accept? Yes. But could I? Which traits stand in the way of a meaningful relationship, and how can I compensate for them? I needed time for that, and distance. I went travelling for a while, alone. In the reflection afterwards with Merel I learned more about myself: I do not give up easily, I often think the world is partly malleable, and I try everything to achieve what I have in mind. That can lead to a cramp when it does not work out. With Merel I was able to make the shift from a cramp in which I wanted to hold on to something that is not there, to acceptance and looking more calmly at what is there and magnifying that. Letting go of what I expect from a relationship is a form of grief. I have now been able to leave that period and those feelings behind me. Our last meeting, by the way, was by video call. And although I assumed Merel’s relaxed presence would not come across through the PC, that immediately proved a misunderstanding. Our conversation was just as warm and engaged as at the location in Noordwijk. Who knows which video solutions will remain after the corona epidemic; this, in any case, was a positive experience.”

• “Merel is a first-rate psychologist and a very kind person! I already knew her because she once supported participants of a TV programme I directed. Even then I was impressed by her warmth and expertise. I kept following her on social media in the years after, and felt very strongly that she was the one to help me personally in processing my unwanted childlessness and some persistent work-related stress complaints. I had already taken quite a few steps in both areas myself, so I was well on my way in my recovery. But the sting of my grief and stress was not yet out. And that is exactly what she did for me! And that in one session of two hours, using EFT and Touch of Matrix, among other things. Thank you, dear Merel! It was more than worth the drive from Muiderberg to Noordwijk!”

• “Followed two training days of Smarttapping — learned so much! Beautiful experiences, new insights; I can recommend this to everyone! Merel and Miriam have a holistic approach that really appeals to me. I am very grateful for it and now only want to learn more!”

• “Merel is a very kind person who truly connects and always gives me new insights. She also uses beautiful methods for letting go of and resetting traumas and events, including EFT. Merel has helped me tremendously and taught me to look at things differently. I am very happy with Merel!”

• “For me it was a real step to go to a psychologist. From the first moment I walked into Merel’s practice, it felt trusted. Merel takes her time, does not judge you, looks at which approach suits you best and shows you things from a different angle. Through our conversations and with the help of EFT, certain events in my life are now much less “big”. Thanks to Merel I feel good, I am more positive, I have more peace, and I am ready for the next step in my life!”

• “The Smarttapping training has been very valuable to me as a coach in many respects. Not only was I able to learn from Merel’s knowledge and skill, I also got to experience first-hand how powerful and effective this way of processing trauma is. Thanks also to Miriam, Merel’s colleague.”

• “Smarttapping has had an enormous positive influence not only on my own life, but also on the lives of many of my clients! The results are unprecedented! The Smarttapping trainings I followed with Merel and Miriam are packed with valuable knowledge, tips and advice. I would recommend anyone who wants to experience a lighter life, or who wishes that for their clients, to follow the Smarttapping training at Psycholoog Noordwijk!”

• “With a great group I followed the Smarttapping EFT training with Merel Hovestad. What a good atmosphere, a powerful method, and clear and extensive explanation and teaching by “Miss Merel”! With Merel and Miriam I also attended the in-depth day on overstrain — again very interesting and packed with information. Fortunately including a thick folder with plenty of reference material for home! I look forward to the other in-depth days. Smarttapping is a beautiful method for treating traumas (with a capital T and a small t).”