About
Who you will be talking to
My name is Pieter Braak. I am a psychologist, trained at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (MSc in Clinical Psychology), and I work from my own practice in Amsterdam. In English or Dutch.
Pieter Braak
Psychologist · MSc in Clinical Psychology (VU Amsterdam)
Down-to-earth, warm and practical. As short as possible, as long as necessary.
How I work
No endless talking, but real steps
We name what is going on, look at what you can do about it and try that out in your own life. What works, we keep. What doesn’t, we let go. I don’t believe in talking endlessly if it gets you nowhere.
Just as important: you don’t have to put on a brave face with me. What you tell me stays between us, unless there is immediate danger to you or someone else. I would discuss that with you first.
I work with proven methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy, ACT and motivational interviewing, but the method is never the goal. The conversation has to help you, not the protocol.
Background
Training and approach
Training
MSc in Clinical Psychology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Methods
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and motivational interviewing.
Languages
Sessions in English and Dutch, whichever you are most comfortable with.
What I believe in
Three principles
Without judgement
You don’t have to explain or defend anything. What you experience is the starting point, not what would be “normal”.
Practical and concrete
Every session gives you something to take home: an insight, an exercise or simply a clear plan for the coming week.
As short as possible
The goal is that you no longer need me. We stop as soon as you have enough to hold on to, and the door stays open afterwards.
Take the first step
Rather have a quick call?
Always welcome. A 20-minute introduction costs nothing and commits you to nothing.