Karin Peeters - Relationship Coach, Counsellor & Psychotherapist
So glad you are here!
Hi, my name is Karin Peeters. I work as a Coach & Psychotherapist in the field of love. As is there any aspect in this human experience that matters more?
Would you like to know how I ended up with love as my speciality? Keep reading, I’ll share two stories with you.
One is uplifting, one is deeply touching - and it comes with a bereavement warning, so 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
It’s 2006, I’m in Nepal, and I sat atop this stupa (a symbolic representation of the Buddha's compassionate and wise mind), when I heard a voice and it said "you are wasting your life”. I knew in my bones that the voice was right.
Now, I can tell you about how this led me to quit my corporate job at Heineken, study spirituality 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 is the transformation that happened within me. I felt a different way of being opening up in my heart, my life choices from then onwards 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 aspiration 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. Would you like that too?
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.
And yet, 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. 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.
I learned how it can be healed, 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 heal from ‘small and big t trauma’ and build their self-confidence. I can help you do the same.
My therapeutic approach focuses on how previous experiences shape our understanding of love, intimacy, and connection - but also of fear, anger, insecurity, loss and abandonment - and to not only make sure this no longer negatively influences our romantic life, but to reveal the true potential for healing and growth in relationships. And when we find that deep, true love, may it have a ripple effect, radiating out for the benefit of all…
Life is precious
Love truly
Thank you for reading my story, and for still being here. Now, let’s share what makes me unique as a Relationship Therapist, so you can decide if we’re the right fit together.
My clients often compare me with a bridge, successfully applying the ancient wisdom traditions of the East to Western life. I enjoy creating union between head and heart, being and doing, Coaching and Therapy, East and West, Business and Buddha.
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, means 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. It also means that I studied for five years and did not just take some weekend course, plus I have been in therapy myself for years and years (and still pop back in regularly) to clean up my own ‘s**t’. On top of all that, 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 take my utmost word for 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 offer sessions in English and Dutch.
Drawing upon Eastern wisdom traditions to enrich our Western lives.
I combine Western Psychology with an 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!
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. 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
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 :) Would be lovely to see you there!
My Vision on Relationships - and 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, what if what needs to be learned repeats itself, and the painful patterns 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.
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.
Fun facts about me
It’s great you made it this far down this page. That deserves some amusing facts about me.
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!
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.
