My Story
My name is Kerith Edwards. Kaliko Counseling is the outcome of my many years of study, exploration, and professional practice. In my earlier career, I studied and taught literature, languages, public speaking, and writing within the university system in the United States. This led to a deep interest in psychology, sociology, behavior, and the human potential for learning, change, and happiness.
Eventually, after completing masters studies in Counseling Psychology in 2015 at the University of Hawai'i, I devoted myself to the vocation of helping people live more meaningful and fulfilling lives through self-exploration and interpersonal connection. For years, I have collaborated with my clients to explore what limits and inspires them so that they can manifest the lives they envision for themselves.
Initially, I provided mental health counseling to university students for a number of years. Thereafter, I opened a private practice and have since served individuals, couples, families, and groups of many backgrounds, from around the world. I work collaboratively with my clients, as research has repeatedly shown that the primary change-factor in therapy is the meaningful working relationship between therapist and client.
From the decades spent in the Hawai'ian Islands, I bring the values of aloha (love), kuleana (reponsibility), and kaliko (new growth) to my counseling work. I have found that the social cohesion, honesty, and gezelligheid so cherished in the Netherlands combine well with the cultural gifts of Hawai'i, and I am happy to have called both places home.
My office is located in the Boterdiep area of Groningen, at the heart of an internationally diverse and innovative culture. Here I offer in-person therapy, couples counseling, family support, and group work by design.
Kerith G Edwards, MS, MA, LMHC
My Mission
It is crucially important to our psychological health and overall well-being that we have meaningful relationships that help us overcome our personal limitations and suffering so that we can continue to learn and grow. In our modern world, such help often comes from professionals specifically educated and trained in human psychology, behavior, and social-relational change dynamics. This is what I offer and who I am.
The purpose of my work is to help my clients deepen their understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the world. The desired outcome? To experience more happiness, meaning, health, and fulfillment in their lives. How does this happen? Through the integration of skilled, evidence-based professional support with the efforts of the individuals, couples, families, and groups who come to me for help. When clients begin evaluating and adjusting their ways of being, thinking, feeling, and relating, I help them actualize the changes they are ready to embrace -- regardless of where they come from or the specific issues they may be struggling with.
The Practice
Kaliko Counseling is a private practice devoted to providing confidential, evidence-based, and effective personal and relational services to adults of all ages seeking help with stress, burnout, major change, loss of familiar environments, and a wide range of personal and relationship issues. In addition, I offer family therapy and group counseling for people who share a similar problem or who want to resolve interpersonal tensions so that they can embrace a collective purpose.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the United States and a masters level professional counselor and coach in the Netherlands. I have over a decade of full-time experience offering both brief and long term therapeutic interventions to individuals, couples, and groups. My counseling approach is strongly rooted in Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Constructive, Existential, and Relational theory and practice. Further, my holistic orientation takes into account all of the factors that impact human well-being, behavior and interpersonal dymamics.
I provide safe, informed, up-to-date and straightforward access to high quality therapeutic help that adheres to international standards of ethical care for people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, sexualities, and values. I am supported by a skilled staff that always puts clients' privacy and needs first.
What Makes Me Different
Kaliko Counseling offers world-class, in-person counseling provided by a native English speaking therapist in the heart of Groningen. This is not easy to come by in our region. There are plenty of therapists and coaches here, but few who fulfill the essential requirements of expats and internationals who speak English every day with colleagues, peers, intimate partners, and family members.
In service to the unique expat populations of Groningen, I aim to make wait times short and scheduling smooth and dependable. Why? Because I believe that when people reach out for help, they should get it as quickly as possible. I know how difficult it is to quickly and readily access high quality therapy services in the Netherlands, especially from a native English-speaking professional with years of experience.
Further, discretion and confidentiality inform all aspects of the delivery and continuity of my counseling and coaching services. Your personal and health information will never be shared with any organization, institution, or person unless you specifically request it, in writing.
If you are an expat, an international professional or executive, a highly skilled academic / doctoral student, a native English speaker living and working in Groningen, a strong second language English speaker, or a couple whose only shared daily language is English, I can offer you a sense of comfort and certainty as you seek improve your life. Whatever your background or identity, if you speak English well enough to express your mind and heart, I can provide you with expert in-person therapeutic support.
Further, because Kaliko Counseling does not require a GP (huisarts) referral, you can be seen far more quickly and regularly, depending on your availability, wishes, and needs. I am a certified Senior Member of the Collectief van Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT), a professional association of therapists in the Netherlands, so your identity, rights, and health information are protected by both Dutch law and CAT's professional and ethical standards of care.
