Friends of What Do You Do?

'At the moment I am doing a project that helps people how to coach and learn from each other. A space for two-way learning and sharing. Currently I'm learning how to ask for help myself, and not always having to be the strong one. When it becomes too much I get a thought saying "you're alone," I'm learning to thank the thought and then ask for help. In my family I'm often the 'strong' one, I have it all worked out apparently. Last week I called my brother who himself struggles with psychotic complaints. I said that I felt alone and he supported me, I noticed a big dynamic shift, he was glad to be there for me for a change. A strong connection. When we are able to switch roles in this way, it reminds me of our universal vulnerabilities, but also our strengths.'

Meghan (31)

‘I try to view myself as human. I was very tired today, so decided to not contineu working. Practice what you preach and walk your talk. I want to do and apply the same lessons we teach people in therapy. Because I truggle with things too, all the time actually, the tools from treatment are very useful. I hope to stay amazed. When you think someone else is crazy, then you don't understand the other person yet, that's what I think.’

Sophia

‘I often tell my own story to cliënts. A lot of people think that the practicioners have everything under control and that they know how life works. I explain it's not like that. Nine out of ten people have experienced misery and aren't open about it. Just this afternoon a cliënt said: "We're all human," it makes the contact more equal because you've also shared things.’

Tom

‘When I listen to people's stories it strikes me that I don't find any odd, if you listen attendfully the things people share always become logical and relatable. I try to reduce the stigma on and about my work by showing the strength of the people I speak to. It is also what my surname [red. van Loenen] means, the reflection of light in the dark.’

Rachel (26)

'I lower the bar for family and friends by presenting my vulnerable side, hereby we teach eachother and our children it is normal to be open. I've started writing a kids-book where I want to show this too.'

Lotte (24)

'I devote myself to discovering new treatments, there are many disorders which we find difficult to treat, I think the application of psychedelics could provide a solution. Hereby parts of our awareness are made accessible that are normally hard to interface. My lesson was being confronted by my darker side, which made me a more relaxed person, and upped my appreciation for nature and the little things. I've seen other people transform from anxious and angry to present and caring really. There still rests stigma on the usage of psychedelics, people don't know it well..'

David (29)