Lara

Lara Maestrini, MSc

Psychologist

Verified

“Compassionate expat psychologist offering therapy sessions to adults in Amsterdam and online. My practice is trauma-informed and LGBTQIA+ friendly. I work integratively and have training in CBT & Schema-Therapy. I don't believe there is a "one-size-fits-all" in therapy, so let's find out what works best for you”

About Me

I am a psychologist based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. I provide counseling for anxiety, relationship problems, low self-esteem, and trauma.

Approach

My approach is integrative and tailored to each individual. This means we can adapt and incorporate techniques from various therapeutic approaches based on your unique needs and what you bring to our sessions. My practice is trauma-informed, and I have received additional training in CBT and Schema Therapy. I work with clients to explore their past and gain insight into how it influences their current thoughts and behaviors. Recognizing life patterns and developing healthy coping strategies are essential steps toward creating meaningful change and navigating life with greater balance.
Contact Lara

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

I am dedicated to offering therapy and counselling services to adults, both in-person in Amsterdam and online. My foundation is built upon the principle that mental health support should be readily accessible to all individuals. I am committed to foster an inclusive and secure environment where everyone can find the support they need. Drawing from my own life journey, I’m particularly passionate about helping adults with "people-pleasing" tendencies, including difficulties with setting boundaries, perfectionism, neglecting personal needs, over-giving, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and finding themselves in unbalanced relationships. I also have extensive experience with issues like depression, anxiety, identity, ADHD, ASD, OCD, self-harm, substance misuse, body image issues, family relationship struggles, and burnout. As an expat, I understand the unique difficulties of adjusting to a new country, culture, and language, and my practice is tailored to support others in similar situations. While sessions are conducted in English, my German-Italian background provides me with a deep understanding of both languages and cultures.

Services Offered:

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Schema Therapy

    A therapy that identifies deep, long-standing emotional patterns (schemas) formed in childhood and works to change the ones that cause recurring problems.

    Learn more about Schema Therapy
  • Free Consultation

    A no-cost initial session to meet the therapist, discuss needs, and decide whether they are the right fit before committing.

  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy

Works With:

  • Adults

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem
  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • ADHD / Attention Difficulties

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention Difficulties
  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Family Issues

    Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.

  • Gender Identity & Self-Image

    A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth, and the distress or exploration that can accompany this.

  • LGBTQI+ Support

    The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.

  • Personal Development

    The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.

Professional Title:

  • Psychologist

    A professional trained to assess and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological methods.

Credentials

Qualifications

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

Leiden University

Year: 2022

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

University of Vienna

Year: 2019

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

CITY College, University of York Europe Campus

Year: 2023

Memberships

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Service Areas

My Practice

In-person & Online

Amsterdam, North Holland

Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands