Tessa

Mrs Tessa Curti-Nagtegaal

Specialist Wellness Counselor

“Feeling emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, or like something deeper keeps getting in the way? I'm a certified Brainspotting therapist and holistic therapist in Amsterdam with 15+ years of experience. I help people process emotions, release tension stored in the body, and break through patterns that talk therapy hasn't been able to shift. My sessions combine Brainspotting therapy, body-oriented therapy, and holistic coaching — in English, for expats and locals alike. Both in-person and online. No waiting list.”

About Me

I'm Tessa, a certified Brainspotting and holistic therapist based in Amsterdam. With over 15 years of experience, I work with individuals who feel emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, or sense that something deeper keeps getting in the way — even when they can't quite name what it is. I use Brainspotting as a core part of my work because it bypasses the analytical mind and allows emotions to process naturally and deeply — without needing to relive or re-explain everything. Combined with inner child work, somatic practices, family systems, and mindfulness, this creates shifts that talking alone rarely reaches. The clients who thrive in my practice are curious about their inner world. They're willing to feel, not just understand. And they often find that what they discover in sessions starts to ripple outward — into their relationships, their bodies, their daily lives.

Approach

My approach goes beyond talk therapy. My sessions are intimate and unhurried. We might start with something that happened this week — a conflict, a tight chest, a recurring pattern — and gently trace it back to where it lives in your body and your history. I ask questions, guide attention inward, and follow what is alive in the moment. Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes something long-held finally gets to move. Often both. Using Brainspotting, body-oriented work, and mindful self-inquiry, we work with what your body and nervous system are holding — not just what your mind can explain. This makes it especially effective for stress, anxiety, emotional blocks, inner child work, and trauma that has resisted other approaches. I work in English, primarily with expats and internationally-minded individuals in Amsterdam and online. No waiting lists — sessions can usually start within a week. Working with me feels like finally being allowed to slow down — and actually feel. If you're ready to stop going in circles and start feeling genuinely lighter, I'd love to connect.
Contact Tessa

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Brainspotting (derived from EMDR), Holistic Therapy, Coaching & Counseling, Grounding Bodywork & Bioenergetics

Services Offered:

  • Brainspotting

    A therapy that uses fixed eye positions to access and process unresolved trauma stored in the brain and body.

    Learn more about Brainspotting
  • Mindfulness

    The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.

    Learn more about Mindfulness
  • Coaching

    A goal-oriented practice focused on identifying objectives, overcoming obstacles, and taking action, centred on the present and future rather than past difficulties.

  • Group Therapy

    Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.

    Learn more about Group Therapy
  • Drop-in Meditation

    Open meditation sessions available without booking, offering guided practice for stress reduction and mental clarity.

  • 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
  • Individual Psychotherapy

    In-depth one-on-one therapy that explores the deeper roots of a person's difficulties, often drawing on psychodynamic or psychoanalytic models.

  • Online Therapy

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

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Psychoeducation

    Structured information provided about a mental health condition (what it is, why it occurs, and what strategies can help) as part of the therapeutic process.

    Learn more about Psychoeducation

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Groups
  • Individuals

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Anger

    An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.

    Learn more about Anger
  • 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
  • Identity & Self-Image

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • 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.

  • Relocation / Expat

    The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.

    Learn more about Relocation / Expat
  • Spiritual Exploration

    Questions of meaning, purpose, faith, and spiritual experience as they relate to psychological well-being and personal identity.

  • 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

Professional Title:

  • Specialist Wellness Counselor

    A counselor specialising in holistic well-being, integrating mental, emotional, and lifestyle support.

Credentials

Registrations

CAT

Coach; Body Oriented Psychotherapist

Qualifications

Academie voor Holistisch Coachen

Academie voor Holistisch Coachen

Con Amore Institute

Service Areas

Studio

In-person & Online

Amsterdam, North Holland

Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands