Katharina Gersch, Psychologist

Katharina Gersch, MSc

I’m from a small town close to Leipzig, Germany. Growing up in a big family, alongside my 5 siblings, I became deeply curious about the complexities of humans and human relationships. The passionate nightly dinner conversations with my family – mainly about ‘kitchen psychology’, as we say in German – became my topic of interest and later my profession.

At 17, I had the chance to go to Costa Rica for an exchange year, which was an important experience for me. It made me aware of how deeply my culture, language, and community have shaped my identity and that as humans, we ultimately exist in relation to others. I believe that a lot of meaning can be gained by embracing this interconnectedness. Naturally, today my therapeutic approach is deeply relational.

After high school, I moved to the Netherlands, where I completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, followed by a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University. Just as many other Expat stories go, initially I thought I’d stay in Amsterdam for just a few years, but ended up growing fond roots here.

As a therapist, I strive to meet my clients with unconditional positive regard and tend to view them through the lens of attachment theory. Therapy, to me, is fundamentally relational. Both client and therapist engage deeply and authentically together, almost like two ‘detectives’ exploring the client’s inner world.

I’m trained in CBT and schema therapy, and I enjoy incorporating elements of mindfulness-based therapy whenever suitable.

Outside of my professional life, I like to play instruments, read, do yoga, and play boardgames.

I offer therapy in English and German.

Registration(s):
Registered Psychologist – Psycholoog NIP (Nederlands Instituut van Psychologen). Registration number: 249912.