Drs. Amélie van den Brink-El Makkaoui's professional journey and expertise
At FocusNest, our commitment to holistic care for ADHD and trauma disorders is built upon a strong foundation of rigorous education, extensive clinical experience, and specialized certifications. Discover the qualifications that shape our unique approach.
Foundational education and clinical training
Our founder, Drs. Amélie van den Brink-El Makkaoui (BA, MA, ATR, and more), a mixed Burkinabé-Dutch but global nomad at heart, has lived and worked across Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia, bringing a diverse perspective to therapy.
Her clinical degrees were obtained in the United States, including a Bachelor's in Psychology from the College of Santa Fe (magnum cum laude, 2011) and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from New York University (cum laude, 2013).
Her extensive clinical training provided a robust foundation for specialized youth care. This included:
- Training at the children's and women's psychiatric units of the Bronx Psychiatric Center in New York, gaining extensive experience with complex conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder.
- Specialized treatment care at the League Education and Treatment Center, focusing on children with special needs, including those on the autism spectrum (Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS), and developmental and behavioral issues.
Holistic solutions for lasting well-being
Our holistic approach is shaped by professional experience across special education, summer programs, and disaster response, deepening our understanding of youth mental health and integrated therapeutic care. This diverse background ensures that we address not just symptoms, but the whole person.
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive, integrated support that empowers young people to achieve emotional regulation and resilience.
Specialized certifications and unique methods
Our approach stands out through several key certifications highly effective for emotional regulation in young people with ADHD and trauma challenges. These include:
- Art Psychotherapy
- Play Therapy
- Internal Family Systems (IFS, Level 1)
- Emotional Freedom Tapping Techniques (EFT)
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ, Level 1)
- Adjunct Breathwork facilitation
Itegrating these powerful techniques help to foster preventive mental health care and empower individuals with lasting coping mechanisms.
"FocusNest's comprehensive approach and expertise provided my child with the tools they needed to thrive. Their understanding of ADHD and trauma is truly exceptional."
A satisfied parent from Arnhem