Spiritual care is a form of support that focuses on the inner world and spiritual needs of individuals. It includes guidance on life questions, moral dilemmas and meaning. Spiritual counselors provide assistance in finding meaning in life, coping with life crises, and promoting mental well-being. This form of care is not necessarily religious and can take place in various contexts, such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and communities (such as the Groningen earthquake area). The goal is to support people in their search for personal growth, resilience and a meaningful life.

Humanistic spiritual care is the guidance and support of people in the areas of meaning, life questions, ethics and moral dilemmas, from a humanistic perspective. It is therefore a form of spiritual care that is not based on religious beliefs, but on humanistic principles and values. Important humanistic values are, for example, individuality, autonomy, equality and freedom of thought. Respect for the autonomy and dignity of the individual is central to humanistic spiritual care. A humanistic spiritual counselor listens attentively and asks the right questions, so that you gain more insight into what concerns you and what is essential to you. The emphasis is on personal growth, awareness, responsibility, self-development and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Humanistic spiritual counselors are familiar with the complex and sometimes raw experiences that can lie behind questions of meaning. They provide support to people who are confronted with existential questions, traumas, life crises, loss and other challenges that impact their (mental) well-being. Ultimately, the humanistic spiritual counselor supports people in finding meaning in life. It is a search for the strength within the individual. A session with a humanistic spiritual counselor can therefore inspire and help develop personal resilience and mental toughness. Because that's what life sometimes seems to be about: being able to deal with the complexity of human experiences.

A (humanistic) spiritual counselor is not a therapist, but an expert discussion partner with an academic background. A spiritual counselor supports you in facing your own questions, situation and challenges. The spiritual counselor emphasizes promoting well-being, meaning, personal growth, mental toughness and resilience (even if no mental illnesses or problems are present). Ultimately, a spiritual counselor facilitates the development of mental resilience so that you can deal with (future) problems more easily. A spiritual counselor will not diagnose you or claim to solve your problems. There is no treatment plan that will solve your problems. In fact, the spiritual counselor is more likely to ask what your problems mean to you? How do the problems color your life? Spiritual care and therapy are both forms of support for individuals, but they differ in objectives, approaches and contexts. Objectives: A spiritual counselor often focuses on spiritual, existential and moral aspects of life. The purpose of spiritual care is to provide support with complex experiences and life questions. Therapy generally aims to promote psychological health, reduce symptoms and facilitate behavior change. Treatment plans and medication can play a role in this. Approaches: A spiritual counselor often focuses on the broader context of life, including spiritual and existential dimensions. In guiding individuals, spiritual counselors use conversations, rituals and reflective exercises. In therapy different therapeutic approaches are used, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, or systems therapy, depending on the specific needs and goals of the client. Context: Spiritual care can take place in various contexts, such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, the army, in communities, at home or in a practice. It can also be more specifically aimed at certain religious or philosophical traditions. Therapy is often offered in clinical settings by psychologists, therapists or counselors. It can be aimed at individuals, couples, families or groups. It is important to note that the distinctions are not always strict. There are overlaps between spiritual care and therapy. Both areas can develop and adapt to diverse needs and contexts. The type of support that is most appropriate depends on the individual needs and specific goals of the person seeking help. Spiritual care and therapy can complement and enrich each other.

My working method is flexible and tailored to the unique needs of the person or persons I work with. However, there are a number of elements that form the basis: an introductory meeting (intake) where the background, life history and needs are discussed. exploring philosophy of life and/or spirituality. exploring life's questions. supporting the search for meaning and purpose in life. If it is your wish, I also offer application of a tattoo or other ritual or symbol. support in exploring ethical or moral considerations. collaboration with other care providers (integral approach). As a spiritual counselor, I offer guidance on difficult issues for you and when you feel that you are stuck. With playful confrontation I try to guide you towards breaking through patterns that no longer serve you. Looking at your context (habits, patterns, belief systems, culture, upbringing, social relationships) we will try to find meaning in what sometimes feels meaningless. I will guide you in creating a fresh perspective to look at what is coming your way. This way you can approach future adventures with a gentle and meaningful attitude. In short, you will build mental strenght and resilience for future difficulties. Because let's be honest: life seems to be about learning to deal with problems and difficulties.

We assume a one-hour session with a buffer time of 15 minutes. After an hour of talking we are often both satiated. In addition, we don't want to become mentally exhausted. It's better to save the rest for next time.

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A conversation with a spiritual counselor is an addition to maintaining your mental resilience. As an entrepreneur, your mental health is important to continue working successfully. From this perspective, spiritual care is an investment in your company and business development.

A tattoo ritual is a ceremonial practice. The application of the tattoo can be connected to symbolic meaning, personal growth, or a transitional period in life. The tattoo ritual goes beyond just the aesthetic and visual aspect of tattooing. The tattoo ritual creates space for deeper cultural, spiritual or personal meanings. Rituals are often associated with religion. Religions have strong rituals such as marriage, which marks a symbolically important moment. Rituals do not have to be religious, however and can suit various stages of life, such as leaving adolescence or beginning parenthood. The rituals of these transitions are usually called passage rituals. Tattoos were traditionally important in passage rituals among indigenous tribes worldwide. In our society, tattoos are rarely seen as a ritual. Nevertheless, tattoos often have deep symbolic meanings, such as breaking away from parental influences. That's why I introduce a contemporary tattoo ritual. This ritual is adapted to the person, where elements such as people present, music and symbols can be chosen. This ritual can highlight a meaningful moment in someone's life. It is even possible to get a tattoo without permanent ink. In that case, the memory and meaning are recorded less definitively. The ritual still emphasizes an important moment for you and meaning formation remains present. The form of the ritual depends on the person receiving the tattoo. The rituals can vary greatly and are often strongly linked to one's own personal and cultural context. The most important thing is that a tattoo ritual gives depth to the process of tattooing and its meaning. Here are some elements that can play a role in your tattoo ritual: Symbolism: The symbolic meaning of the tattoo is usually central. The symbolism may be representative of your personal experiences, identity, spiritual beliefs or cultural background. Intention and meaning: Before the tattoo is made, we can think about an intention and the deeper meaning of the tattoo. Preparation and cleaning: We can think about preparation rituals that precede the tattoo. Such as meditation or cleansing rituals. Ritual actions: During tattooing, (symbolic) ritual actions can take place that enhance the meaning. Consider, for example, listening to specific music, adding ash to the ink, repeating a mantra or maintaining silence. Community Involvement: In some cases, getting a tattoo is seen as a communal ritual, involving friends, family or the community. You can also get a tattoo with several people. Rite of passage: For some, getting a tattoo can represent a transition. Such as marking a new phase of life, overcoming difficulties, or honoring an important moment.

In the foreground or background, spirituality plays a central role in my practice. Spirituality is a broad concept that refers to the pursuit of meaning and connection with something that is greater than the individual himself (this can also be a certain ideal such as freedom). It is a search for understanding the deeper meaning of life, and can be accompanied by the desire for, for example, transcendence (transcending experiences), inner peace, harmony and a sense of connection with others, nature or the universe. Interestingly, the word 'spirit' is leading in spirituality. Spirituality seems to be about connecting with our spiritual abilities. The downside of this is that people tend to get lost in thinking; the mental powers are so strong that we can become victims of them. That's why I like to lean towards what I call an earthly spirituality. That is a spirituality in which the connection with the body and the earth is not left behind. Spirituality can also be interpreted as agility, liveliness and drive. The mind can go where it wants. In contrast, the physical freedom of movement is more limited. In spirituality there also seems to be a kind of 'enthusiasm'. This enthusiasm can be interpreted as an emotional or joyful involvement with the self and the environment. Spirituality therefore presupposes a kind of interaction between the self and something that goes beyond the self. In my practice we try to reflect on this interaction and become aware of it. Spirituality can thus become a process of, among other things: meaning, inner growth and connection. In short: spirituality emphasizes how you see and experience the world.

My starting rate for tattoos is €100. If you want the same (minimalist) tattoo together with others, there will be a discount on the minimum price per person. For other tattoos, I charge a price based on the size, complexity and placement of the tattoo. I always provide a price indication when responding to a tattoo request. My starting rate for ritual tattoos is €150. For that starting rate you will receive a ritual tailored to you and a symbolic (minimalist) tattoo. The price of the ritual will increase as the complexity of the ritual and tattoo increases. When answering a request for a tattoo ritual, I always provide a price indication. My rate for a spiritual care session is €100. For people who are less fortunate financially, I offer the opportunity to book a spiritual care session for a reduced rate or for free. In short, I take your financial position into account.

I am located in Utrecht. From Utrecht central station it is a 15-20 minute walk. There is a bus stop nearby. It is easily accessible by car and parking is free.

Chill is a pretty strange word, because it literally means cold. Sometimes it can be chilly in the tattoo & chill space, but I don't want people to get cold (don't worry, I have heating). Less literally, chilling means 'relaxing'. That's why I created the tattoo & chill space where people can slow down, relax and continue their life feeling refreshed. The tattoo & chill space is a place that can function as an oasis in the increasingly fast and overheated society. In this way, chill-in automatically becomes the opposite of burn-out. Of course it's not just chilling in my practice/studio. Sometimes it's hard work. For example, if you have a deep conversation about important life questions. Or if you get a painful tattoo. But sometimes a bit of contrast is needed to be able to chill out extra well afterwards.

Everyone is welcome in the tattoo & chill space! Regardless of your age or origin, I will try to fulfill your wishes. This means that I am also available for secondary school students and parents with children. I am not a pedagogical employee or child psychologist. I can offer support to young people who are struggling with difficult questions or feelings of meaninglessness. If necessary, I will refer you immediately. Please note: for real tattoos you must be 18+ or a guardian must be present at the appointment.