Karin Peeters - Relationship Coach, Counsellor & Psychotherapist
So glad you are here!
Hello, my name is Karin Peeters. Deep love and healthy relationships are for me the essence of our human experience, it matters so much to me that it has become the core focus of my work as a Coach & Psychotherapist.
Supporting people to connect in the most mutually respectful, compassionate and meaningful way, with themselves and with others, is both my joy and my professional speciality.
How I came to this work has been a profound journey and I’d love to share it with you via two personal stories.
One is uplifting, the other deeply touching. The second comes with a bereavement warning, so please go gently if you’re feeling grief…
LIFE IS PRECIOUS. HOW WE LOVE MATTERS.
My personal philosophy and approach to life
Reminding the world how to love
Picture me in 2006, our setting is Nepal sitting atop a stupa (a symbolic representation of the Buddha's compassionate and wise mind). At the time of my visit to Nepal I was working an intense corporate job at Heineken, and I felt out of my depth in my responsabilities as a manager of my team. Being single at the time, it was tempting to spent my time at the office, and too much of my identity was caught up in my work. I knew something had to chance, otherwise a burn-out would be next. My gut told me I had to go to Nepal to learn about Buddhism and meditation, because that would help me to never feel so unhappy and stressed ever again.
So there I am, sitting quiet and still, contemplating my life, when a voice in my head spoke clearly to me, and I knew in my bones it was right. The voice said "You are wasting your life!”.
That moment changed everything for me.
Now, I can tell you about how this led me to quit my corporate job, study spirituality, Buddhism and meditation in India and Nepal (during two unbelievingly special sabbaticals, for a grand total of 3.5 years - for more stunning photos visit the bottom of this page), and follow my heart to live in Argentina and the UK to be with the man I love.
But what really mattered was the transformation that happened within me. My heart opened wider, I softened and relaxed in a way I had never experienced before. And my life choices from then onwards were motivated by a wish to be kinder, both to myself and to others, to truly be of benefit to this world; giving me a sense of expansive joy. Buddhists call it Bodhicitta – the awakened heart. Who knows, maybe I got a glimpse of it that day. You and I might call it love. A love for life itself, for the world and all beings, big or small, near or far, friend or foe.
My life's intention became to love in a way that inspires others. And where better to begin than in our own home, our own mind, our own heart? I am motivated by a deep desire to remind people how to love. To fall in love again with themselves, with others, with the planet and with life itself. When we re-connect with a wise love that’s bigger than ourselves, a calm spaciousness, a joy comes over us, radiating out for the benefit of everyone we meet. In this way, I believe our presence alone is healing to others.
Our world desperately needs more kindness, let us spread the love.
How past wounds hurt our relationships today
Living from a place of love
Life is so precious. And love is the only thing that truly matters. I learned this in a painful way at a very young age, when suddenly my little brother died. He was only eleven months old, and I was five. At times like that we have two options, to close our heart out of fear of further pain, or to love deeply, exactly because it can be taken away at any moment… I choose the latter, but it has taken me some time to come to that peaceful place of acceptance and compassion.
For a long time, the loss and rupture in this love story (as oh my goodness, how much I loved that little boy) had profound adverse effects on how I behaved in my romantic relationships. I brought an old wound with me, triggered by fears of separation and rejection, which affected those I was with (and myself) in so many unwise ways.
It took me years to even call it trauma, as worse things have happened to people, no? But I came to understand how many of the unhelpful thoughts, emotions and behaviours that affected my love-life were caused by this initial loss.
Over time, I learned how to heal, and I replaced my fears with a resilient, unshakeable foundation of confidence and self-worth. I lived this. I know this.
Since 2008, as a Coach and Psychotherapist, I have supported my clients to heal from their own wounding and find deep, true love for themselves and others. I can help you do the same.
All of our previous experiences shape our understanding of love, intimacy, and connection. Many of us carry within a fear of anger, conflict, criticism, rejection or abandonment and these all shape how we show up in our relationships.
It is possible for deep healing and growth to happen. It is possible to move beyond those wounds, so old pain no longer negatively influences our romantic life. The potential for this profound healing and transformation can be found within our romantic relationships, and so this is the focus of my therapeutic approach.
And when we find that deep, true love, for ourselves and others, may it radiate out from us and create a positive ripple that benefits us all.
Life is precious
Love truly
My Vision of Relationships
How to make sure love doesn’t hurt anymore
I believe romantic relationships are the place where our unresolved pain meets the unresolved pain in our partner. Which, if we’re not aware of this, results in a delicate and destructive dance between two broken hearts…
On top of this, I believe we unconsciously yet deliberately choose this particular partner exactly because of their capacity to make us feel hurt and frustrated, lonely, criticised or insecure like no other person can. And vice versa, that we are a catalyst that reveals the unfinished business in our partner’s life story…
Rather than a sign of failure in our choice of partner, or proof that our relationship is somehow doomed, how about our partners’ ripping off the plaster from our past wounds is an invitation to grow and to heal? What if their unique capacity to get right into those painful parts of us is the real reason why we are together, and that looking at the old wounds our partner makes visible holds the key to deep joy, true connection and the intimacy we crave?
The challenges in our relationship are an invitation to heal our past. And if we don’t take the bull by the horns, the painful patterns repeat and show up again and again with new partners.
This world is full of suffering. If the embrace with our own partner does not feel loving and safe, what hope is there for our world? Let’s begin in our own homes, our own hearts… and may the love we find bring goodness to everyone it touches.
Life is precious. How we love matters.
Thank you for reading my story, and for still being here. Perhaps you are inspired to work with a professional yourself, and are wondering if we are a good fit together.
The very best coaching and therapeutic relationships are those where there is a beautiful synergy between the client and the practitioner. When you’re trying to discern if we would make a good fit, a little more about me and how I work will be helpful.
My clients often compare me with a bridge, successfully applying the ancient wisdom traditions of the East to Western life.
I combine Western Psychology with extensive experience in Eastern Philosophy, Buddhism, Mindfulness Meditation and Creative Imagination (using visualisation and creativity when words fall short). I was taught about meditation and the mystic spiritual traditions at the source, while living and studying with Buddhist monks and nuns in India and Nepal for a total of 3.5 years, during two magical sabbaticals - for photos, see below!
I'm an experienced Coach and qualified Counsellor & Psychotherapist with private practice experience in the City of London and online since 2008.
Being both a Psychotherapist and Coach, I know how to heal your past experiences, while working in a solution-focused way in the here and now so that your life gets better today. My qualifications are robust, not the result of a weekend ‘crash’ course, but rather five years of in-depth Counselling & Psychotherapy study, coupled with my own ongoing therapy for many, many years. I’ve been doing this work full-time since 2008, which means I really know what I am doing as a therapist. When I say you are in safe, capable hands, you can believe it.
Thanks to my corporate background at Heineken in The Netherlands I am refreshingly practical with a down-to-earth nature and solution focused attitude. It also means I understand the culture and office politics you find yourself in.
I enjoy creating a union between head and heart, being and doing, Coaching and Therapy, East and West, Business and Buddha.
I offer sessions in English and Dutch.
Working with me builds your self-confidence, brings the joy back in your relationships, and most importantly, you might end up falling in love… with yourself.
I enjoy being a little unusual and my clients tell me they appreciate it a lot. I’m result-oriented, for a Psychotherapist. I go deep, for a Coach. I’m ambitious, for a Buddhist meditator. I’m commercial, for a business about healing. I’m extraordinary at what I do, for yet another professional in the field of love and relationships.
I’m all about love, yet I believe it's vital to get to know our anger. Compassion is at the core of what I do, yet believe that compassion is never complete if it doesn’t include yourself. I am passionate about joy, yet I believe we can only be as happy to the extent we dared to face our sorrow. I’m an absolute expert in what I do, yet just like you, with so much more to learn on this wonderful journey called life.
I’m East and West. Spiritual and business-like. Quick and still. Calm and uplifting. Aspirational, and one of you.
Celebrating Holi
Holi, the Hindu "Festival of Colours", celebrates spring, love, and the lasting triumph of good over evil.
Rishikesh, India
Fun facts about me
That’s the serious bit… now for a bit of fun:
I am convinced I cannot sing, so much so that I used to lip sync during 'Happy Birthday'. I now go to a yoga studio where we sit in a circle and chant mantras, and I slowly try to make my singing voice louder than a whisper.
I sort my books by colour on the shelf because it looks so pretty and peaceful. And because I am such a visual person, this way I find it much easier to find the book I am looking for!
When I have stayed in a hotel (I like self-catering accommodations) and it is time to leave, I thank the room for the wonderful time (and make my husband laugh).
Growing up in The Netherlands we used to have little ‘friendship books’ at primary school. I replied the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” with ‘happy’. That answer still makes me smile today. Perhaps at a young age I somehow already understood what life is really all about…
I look forward to getting to know more about you!
Curious about my background, training, studies and work experience? Enjoy exploring my LinkedIN profile, and while you’re there please send me an invite to connect (please mention you came via my website so I know you’re real :) It would be lovely to see you there!
Photo Gallery
Spiritual Sabbatical - India & Nepal - 2006, 2017-2019
Infinite Gratitude
The beauty, serenity, loving-kindness and wisdom received during these magical journeys in India & Nepal is immeasurable.
I cannot wait to share what I have learned with you, so it radiates out for the benefit of all.
Photographers: Maksim Timofeev, Bill Kane, Dalai Lama official website, Inge Peeters, Augusto Rodriguez, Mychael James and Vadim Lobodin.
Let’s connect on Instagram
I enjoy inspiring you with what I’m up to via @inner.pilgrim and would be honoured to see you there. With the hashtag #innerpilgrim I’ll endeavour to bring more confidence, joy and connection to your love story!
Feel self-confident in your romantic relationship
How can I help you today?
When you find yourself anxious and insecure in your romantic relationship, behaving in ways that seem out of proportion to what the situation requires, and in your heart-of-hearts know this is caused by past wounds, then I can help. Know you are welcome, “small t” trauma, “big t“ trauma, not much recollection of your childhood at all; if your self-esteem dips in your romantic relationships despite feeling confident and robust in other areas of life, let’s work together.
I adore what I do, and it would be an absolute honour to walk next to you for a while on this journey called life. Get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
