Karin Peeters, Our Founder

Life, Career & Executive Coach + Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Wish to move forward in life, but not quite sure which path to follow?

It seems so unfair when people tell us 'to just listen to our hearts', because at times in our lives it is such a cacophony of sounds inside of us, it is impossible to know which way to go. Our thoughts go over and over the same scenarios, like a broken record, without getting any clearer. And when we finally get a glimpse of a possible decision, our fears kick in and we're back to square one.

Sounds familiar? You're not alone.

Karin works best with people who, besides wanting to apply practical tools and techniques to feel better quick, are also curious to dig a little deeper and get to know themselves better. When you want to find out who you are, what you want in life, what life wants from you and what you are called to give back in return, then Karin is the ideal Coach & Therapist for you. She works with people who are searching for the right direction in life, and wish to make choices that are true to a deeper wisdom inside of them.

Her style is described as 'somewhere between Business and Buddha': refreshingly down-to-earth and immediately applicable to daily life, yet combined with a soulful, kind and spiritual touch that immediately makes you feel at home.

Sessions are availabile in English and Dutch.

Karin works remotely offering online sessions.

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After almost a decade in Sales & Marketing at Heineken, a sabbatical in Nepal and India inspired Karin to quit her corporate career, and re-train as a Coach. She loved her new line of work, but soon felt her coaching qualifications fell short of what she wanted to offer to her clients. By her own ethical standards, she felt the issues they brought to her deserved a deeper psychological understanding. This propelled her to complete a five year degree in Psychotherapy. Her clients appreciate the practical, forward-oriented approach of coaching, combined with (where needed) a glance backwards in time to encourage deeper healing and letting go of what is no longer serving us.

She has a special interest in mindfulness, meditation, Eastern spiritual wisdom traditions and the connection between mind, body and spirit. Karin was born in The Netherlands, has lived in the UK since 2008 and loves to travel to India and Nepal to learn more about the Buddhist 'Art of Living'.

During her roller-coaster career in the corporate world she developed valuable skills in dealing with tricky team dynamics, how true leadership results from genuine respect, and the fine art of self-care amongst deadlines, ambitions and expectations.

Her clients often mention they appreciate how Karin's coaching style is immediately applicable to their day-to-day reality. Her own experience in the stressful corporate world contributes to her understanding of the challenges her clients face.

She has a Master Degree (MA) from the VU University in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) with majors in Organisational Behaviour & Philosophy of Management, Organisation and Leadership. Her bachelor studies in Sociology taught her to observe people, habits, values and behaviours in an all-encompassing way. The programme had a special focus on structures and change in societies. She studied Human Resources at the University of Paris - Sorbonne (France).

• Qualified Life, Career & Executive Coach;

• Qualified Transpersonal Counsellor and Psychotherapist at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) in London: a profound Humanistic Integrative training with a focus on Carl Jung, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis and Existential Psychotherapy;

• Interested in Spirituality Coaching & Eastern Philosophy: Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga and the Buddhist 'Art of Living';

• Completed courses in Dream Analysis, Creative Imagination (visualisations and guided meditations), Art Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Inner Child Work, Healing Trauma and Body Stress Release Therapy;

• Masters Degree (MA) in Business from the VU University in Amsterdam (The Netherlands);

• Studied Human Resources at the Sorbonne, University of Paris (France);

• Studied meditation and profound Mind Transformation techniques from Buddhist teachers (amongst others the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa of Kopan Monastery, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo) during a two year spiritual sabbatical in India and Nepal from 2017-2019.

Travel has always been part of her soul. She loves the sense of freedom it brings, allowing each moment to unfold without set plans, a care-free feeling and the opportunity to reinvent oneself and learn from other cultures and traditions. After her corporate career at Heineken she embarked on a long cherished wish to pursue a journey self-discovery through the mountains and valleys of India and Nepal, via (silent) meditation retreats (for example Vipassana and Shamatha), yoga practise and in-depth teachings on ancient Buddhist wisdom. This first sabbatical changed the way she looks at life, our potential for growth, the reasons behind human suffering and the fulfilment after opening our hearts. Upon her return in 2008 she founded Vitalis Coaching & Therapy. From 2017-2019 she took a second sabbatical, going more deeply into her own spiritual journey. This is where her latest company, Inner Pilgrim was born.

Buddhist Coach & Therapist

Read more about Karin's Buddhist background. Her unique approach to coaching and psychotherapy is, depending on the wishes of you as her client, influenced by this soulful way of looking at the world. Her work is secular, and people from all faiths are welcome.

Her continuous drive for learning led her towards a five year degree in Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy. Karin is a Qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and has studied with an accredited member of the BACP and UKCP (CCPE in London). Transpersonal philosophy views the challenges of life as an invitation for us to transform, grow and unfold. During our most profound struggles, we often develop new qualities, ways of looking at life, deep insight and an understanding that would not have been possible otherwise.

• Professionals who look for more fulfilment, a healthier work-life balance, a voice to speak their truth and express their boundaries, a way to contribute to this world;

• Singles and partners who try to find their way in the world of love; establishing confidence to be true to themselves, communicate clearly, manage anger and disappointment, intimacy, sex, break-ups and parenthood;

• Seekers who want more space for their spiritual side and personal growth;

• Entrepreneurs looking for focus, a sparring partner, inspiration and self-belief;

• Managers who experience conflict between the demands of the different stake holders, organisational layers and their own values, and who appreciate a confidential space to order their thoughts;

• Explorers from all over the world who made London their home and are at times struggling with home-sickness, doubt where to raise their children or are confused about how to establish a career that truly suits them;

• Anyone who goes through a more fragile period in their lives, for example, due to grief, burn-out, fear, anger, depression, insecurity or impactful change.

  And also....

• Families and friends of prisoners with lives full of anxiety, shame, worries, grief, anger and addictions;

• Inmates of London's biggest male prison, H.M. Prison Wormwood Scrubs.

• Anyone who longs for more love, peace of mind and a happier life.

Feeling the space to be true to herself, to love deeply and being nurtured at soul level are vital for her happiness. Being in nature, travelling, Buddhism, reading, drinking herbal tea, meditation, talking about life and growing as human beings together with her husband are a few of the things she truly loves.

So, What’s Next?