Welcome to FocusNest

Growing up with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and not knowing it can feel like living in a world that just doesn't fit you. Imagine always feeling out of step, struggling to focus on simple tasks, having a constant storm of thoughts and feelings inside, or acting quickly without thinking. This can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and even harm.

When parents don't understand ADHD, they might see a child's symptoms as being naughty, lazy, or not trying hard enough. This can lead to shouting, hitting, controlling behavior, or even worse, abuse. These reactions can make ADHD symptoms much worse and cause serious problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other difficult feelings in children.

If this sounds like your own childhood, please know that you're not alone. You are not a failure, not "different" in a bad way, not 'bad', 'broken', or "not good enough." You CAN achieve amazing things, for yourself and with those around you.

And if you're a parent raising a child you think might have ADHD, or who has been diagnosed, remember you're not alone either. We're here to help. We have the tools to help you feel calm and confident in how you parent.

Psychotherapy for individuals

(children and young adults)

Treating ADHD and trauma challenges requires a creative and holistic approach that works with the mind, body, and soul. Our  "Whole Me" Therapy approach does just that.

We use a unique blend of research and natural-creative techniques to help assess and guide our clients toward meaningful and transformative solutions that work for them, in both the short and long term.

Our tools are thoughtfully designed to deliver compassionate and client-centered care, helping to ease symptoms and guide the client through every step of their processing and healing journey.

Unlike conventional therapy settings, we work online and in a park because we believe in reaching people from afar and the healing power of nature. 

Here are our tools:

Art Psychotherapy

Tapping Techniques

Breathwork

Internal Family Systems/Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ)

gentle movements/exercise

Sessions available in English or in French.

Sliding scale available for individuals and families struggling financially but really need the service. 

Please note: We do not offer treatment for individuals dealing with addiction or substance abuse.

Workshop For Parents

'Calmer Me, Calmer Us' - Emotional Intelligence 101 for Families

Raising a child (or children) with ADHD can make any parent feel stressed out, frustrated, even depressed and anxious. If we do not do anything about our feelings rather than push them under the rug, they can make what should be a safe place become a toxic place to live. 

Our "Calmer Me, Calmer Us" interactive family workshop helps parents raising ADHD child(ren) to build their Emotional Intelligence (EQ) skills at home. 

This hands-on experience empowers parents to understand, manage, and regulate their own emotions while teaching children essential emotional skills for success in school and later in their work and romantic relationships.

Why is emotional intelligence more important than academic success?

Research shows that emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in shaping financial success, personal happiness, and meaningful relationships. Our proven methods, backed by top global institutions, make it easier to foster these skills in your family.

By participating, you'll create stronger connections with your child(ren) and establish a calmer, more harmonious home environment for everyone.

Ready to transform your family dynamic? Contact Us

What Our Clients Are Saying

Amélie creates a safe space to share her knowledge and tools about ADHD and trauma. I like how it's informative and interactive at the same time. Than you for the work you do Amelie"-Ahilya, workshop participant*

*Only first names of clients/participants have been kept to protect client/participant confidentiality. 

 

Thank you Amélie for offering this space to share your knowledge with others. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to refresh some of what I knew whilst learning new insights and effective tools to support both myself and those who I meet on my journey. This has awoken the creative desire within me! Much appreciated.-Naomi (therapist), workshop participant

 

The ADHD-Trauma workshop was very enlightening and cozy. To start of with asking us how we feel in our native languages, I immediately felt it as a safe space where my identity didn't have to be put away. I liked how you explained everything and interacted with us. Also having room to support the different people and their ordeals. It was a good introduction to your work & that's why I also joined the weekly sessions-Nafisa, workshop participant

 

 

“I was really looking for a therapist and someone I can really trust and talk with. And connecting with you during your workshop because you're mixed race is helping me to understand my upbringing and traumas I have suffered"-Brandy, 25 year old undiagnosed trauma related challenges

"Regular sessions with Amélie helped us connect with our emotions, recognize it and learn to express it more accurately. Through discussions based on real examples from our family life, we were able to better understand what is going on in our children's minds. We started to change the way we react to challenging family situations and feel better equipped to accompany our children in managing their emotions"-Sophie & Joseph, Canadian family living in Senegal

"I have been using the tools provided during our last few sessions and have really been enjoying the results of self regulating my built up emotions in my body with tapping and breathing exercises. It helped a lot to finally make the right steps for myself moving forward and have felt so much release and positivity since I made the decision [undisclosed issue]"-Efwe, 30, mixed heritage, undiagnosed trauma-ADHD related challenges

“FocusNest has helped my son get organized, plan ahead and his grades up. The comprehensive and creative approach of Drs. van den Brink has really made a difference in managing his executive functioning symptoms. He is now more confident and I love seeing him smile again"-Monica, 10 year old son diagnosed with ADHD

Office Hours:

Open Mondays 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM CET (Amsterdam Time)

from September 2025 onwards: Mondays & Wednesdays 09:00-12:00AM, Thursdays and Fridays: 1:00-4:30PM

For Weekend Availability Kindly Inquire

Online and In-Person (in a park near you) Sessions

Contact Us

Location

Online & in a park near you/Gelderland Region, The Netherlands

About Us

FocusNest is a dedicated psychology/psychotherapy practice supporting individuals navigating ADHD and trauma-related challenges/symptoms. We also provide workshops, including family-focused support through personalized, interactive workshops. Our doors are open to individuals of all abilities and backgrounds, including those without a formal mental health diagnosis. 

We offer flexible sessions both online and in-person (in a park near you), with services available in English and French.

We are committed to making mental health care both accessible and affordable. By offering low prices and special discounts for individuals and families facing financial hardships, we ensure everyone has access to the support they need and deserve.

Committed to excellence, FocusNest is registered with recognized quality assurance organizations in the US and Europe.

Drs. van den Brink-El Makkaoui, Ex-Founder and Managing Director of the Child Behavioral Health Network - Alternative Therapies for Children, proudly received the Global Health & Pharma Mental Health Award 2022 for 'Best Specialized Children's Mental Health Care - Netherlands'.