We must accept our reality as vastly as we possibly can; everything, even the unprecedented, must be possible within it. This is in the end the only kind of courage that is required of us: the courage to face the strangest, most unusual, most inexplicable experiences that can meet us.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Dorothée Janssens de Bisthoven
Psychologist
Systemic therapist & trauma therapist
I have many years of experience in the provision of psychological support and systemic psychotherapy for adults suffering from anxiety, depression, self-doubt, burnout, separation, emotional loss, post-traumatic stress, acute crises and somatic diseases.
I also support partners, relations and families whose loved ones are carrying a heavy burden or who are psychiatrically sick (e.g. a psychosis or depression, or coping with a cancer diagnosis, accident, physical attack or the effects of military deployment), helping them to find a way of dealing with the sufferer that is as appropriate, dignified and helpful as possible.
I advise couples and individuals who have the feeling "things can’t go on like this”. The counseling varies according to the particular problems and what they wish to change. It involves proven approaches from couple therapy and attachment research, which are meaningful, illuminating and creative.
I’m glad to help adolescents who are having a hard time at school or in everyday life – who are attracting attention or causing concern, for example, due to a motivational slump, concentration problems, a tendency to withdraw, eating disorders and other physical symptoms of stress, or mood swings (including aggression).
C.V./PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
FURTHER TRAINING &
QUALIFICATIONS
Dorothée Janssens de Bisthoven has been a psychologist for more than 20 years, working in many different positions, from scientific assistant and trainer for diagnosis at the Department of Psychiatry in Mannheim, Germany, to lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Mannheim. For a long time she was employed as a family therapist and psychological advisor in a boy's home.
More recently, she worked in Nepal as a development worker and psychosocial trainer at the Center for mental health and Counseling, where she still undertakes supervisory tasks once every year.
Since 2000 she has regularly practised the (family) constellation method on a freelance basis, offering seminars on a range of different topics, and developing her own unique style in the process.
Her experience as a systemic family therapist, trauma therapist and hypnotherapist, and
her interest in alternative healing and intercultural exchange are reflected in her often quite unconventional approach to support and empower people.
Since 2010 Dorothée has lived in Brussels where she has her own practice for psychotherapy.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Born Dorothée Weber in Mannheim, Germany, in 1969
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1997
Graduation from the University of Mannheim as a certified psychologist
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
from 4/2023
Lecturer & professor for Systemic Counseling at BFH - Social Work - in Switzerland (Bern)
2012-2023
Independent practice for psychotherapy in Brussels
2010-2022
Ongoing assignments in Nepal, as a consultant and supervisor for psychosocial issues
2009–2010
Contracted as a development advisor with CMC (Center for Mental Health and Counseling Nepal). Capacity development for national psychosocial experts: systemic approach, communication techniques and intervention methods; Psychotrauma support: diagnostics, stabilisation, support for post-traumatic stress syndrome; Practical training courses, including supervision (training of trainers): Application of psychosocial approaches in various contexts of the post-conflict situation (e.g. ex-combatants, women and children with HIV, migration, community health, human rights defenders).
up to 2009
Seven years employment with the psychological department of an institution for young and disabled people.
Provision of advice to the educational team and the special-needs school; admissions diagnosis; coordination of cases; therapy planning and development of networks; systemic therapy for children, young people and their families; and outreach family therapy as part of a team.
up to 2002
Scientific assistant and trainer for diagnostics with the competence network for schizophrenia/early recognition (Department of Psychiatry in Mannheim).
since 2000
Self-employed practitioner, alongside permanent positions:
Individual, couple and family therapist
Management of systemic weekend workshops
case supervision and coaching “for people who work with people”
lecturer at the University of Mannheim, in the department of clinical psychology – practical seminars for major students: “Relaxation techniques”
up to 1999
Employment with Sta. Clotilde, a home for orphaned girls in Sucre, Bolivia (voluntary practical year after graduation)
SYSTEMIC THERAPY (Heidelberg School, IGST)
Individual therapy; couple therapy; family therapy (working with children and adolecents); systemic group work.
Specialisations in systemic therapy (SIH, Arnold Retzer)
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Psychosis
Physical illness
Grief and loss
Guilt, shame and forgiveness
Conflict consulting
TRAUMA TREATMENT for
Acute traumas
Manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD)
Complex (relationship) traumas
Dissociative disorders
Traumas from emotional loss
Transgenerational traumas
Specialisations
Stabilisation and relaxation methods
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Brainspotting (D. Grand)
SE - somatic experiencing (P. Levine)
Energetic psychotherapy (F. Gallo)
Systemic family constellations (e.g. G. Weber)
HYPNOTHERAPY ACCORDING TO MILTON ERICKSON
Working with the body to address e.g. pain and sleeping disorders.
ALTERNATIVE HEALING AND MINDFULNESS TECHNIQUES
Shiatsu
EFT
Yoga
Systemic ritual®; healing connections; the wheel of life (Daan van Kampenhout)