I began my professional journey with a degree in Industrial Engineering (yup…I do have a scientific mind, that can clash with my intuitive self!). I spent 10 years in risk management within the oil and gas sector working a glorious job that involved travel, status, and wealth (yes, everything my younger self was craving for having grown up in poverty, trauma and hardship).

 

But here’s the catch: whilst that career was stable, something crucial was missing in my life: a sense of purpose (and I felt that every…single..day). I found myself more interested in understanding people as a whole, what made people the way they were, why they reacted the way they did, and in context of my environment; what made great leaders, how different personalities interacted within teams, and how people leveraged individual strengths to have in synergy within teams.  These deep passions were explored in my spare time through research, courses, and more.

 

Then a significant life-changing moment occurred:

 

While in the corporate world and searching for myself, I came across a Buddhist monk by pure coincidence. Although I had been previously exposed to different types of mediation, this meeting became my anchor. Under the guidance of monk Richen, I became a dedicated and avid meditator, practicing mindfulness meditation for several years. It changed me- it made me more aware of my internal dialogue, and the inconsistencies with which I was living my life. In other words, it helped me to better understand myself and my sensitivity. Under the monk’s guidance, I started teaching meditation in the women’s prison, opening my eyes and heart to the fragility of human nature.

 

Years later…these experiences and new understanding of myself guided me towards my new path: a career in psychology.

 

Naturally, it was a daunting decision to leave behind the lifestyle I had, but the truth is, my intuition had been growing stronger. It was impossible to ignore the signs, and I knew I had to start trusting a deeper knowing.

 

What sealed it for me?

After attending a workshop on Full Sensory Perception, I realized just how “in touch” I was with my intuition/ sixth sense (something I always doubted, cast aside, and tried to prove with logic). My teacher and "then" classmates encouraged me to embrace this unique gift.

 

During my psychology studies, I still wanted to find evidence for a sixth sense. I thought…”if only I can find the answers in science, I can prove to myself that this is real.” My master's thesis became a meta-analytical review of intuition. What did I find?  Intuition couldn’t be precisely defined, especially because there was a lack of replicable studies supporting its validity. The scientific community hadn’t reached a consensus on this topic.

 

But I came back to myself here.

 

My own experiences have brought me to profound moments that science will never be able to explain (in its current state). As an HSP, you may relate to this. I’ve spent years approaching these experiences with an objective, scientific mindset, but over time, I’ve come to realize that intuition plays a vital role in understanding and connecting with yourself and others.

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I will tell you, it wasn’t easy for me to reconcile this intuitive side with my academic/professional background. I had the privilege of teaching at two major universities in the Netherlands, and for a long time, I kept my intuitive approach private. I didn’t want to face skepticism from my peers, especially in an area that lacked scientific support. However, my journey has shown me that first, being your authentic self is key, and second, combining science with intuition can offer powerful insights and healing.

 

My viewpoint now:

Intuition is a legitimate and valuable tool that enhances my practice as a HSP psychologist.

 

Embracing my role as an intuitive psychologist has been a challenging process, but I now firmly believe that it is the future of modern psychology, and I am excited to share this approach with you!