Welcome to FocusNest!
I’m Dr. Amélie van den Brink-El Makkaoui, and I work with children, young adults, and their families to help them deal with ADHD and trauma. These issues often affect each other, so I believe in treating both at the same time. My approach focuses on the whole person to help you see quicker and lasting changes.
I specialise in the following ADHD & Trauma areas:
-Childhood Traumas: Experiences such as divorce, sexual and emotional abuse, feelings of abandonment, neglect, and the complexities faced by third culture (+) kids (TCK) and individuals with mixed heritage identities.
-Neurodevelopmental Differences: Challenges related to attention, impulse control, and emotional dysregulation, particularly in the contexts of anger and anxiety.
Given the numerous tools available for the treatment of ADHD and trauma, I specialize in the following methodologies:
What Working Together Can Look Like
As a youth based international psychotherapist/counsellor, I offer a free 25-minute call to help you (or your loved one, or family) take the first step toward support. It’s a chance for us to talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, for me to introduce how I work, and to see whether I’m the right fit for you. From there, our first full session will go deeper into your concerns and what you’d like to achieve. Every session is designed to give you a safe, confidential space to speak openly, explore what’s holding you back, and begin releasing emotional pain.
Session Types
-Individual sessions (online or in‑person in a park in Rheden or Arnhem in Gelderland region).
-Dyads (parent & child).
-Parent support and guidance.
(We’ll discuss what fits you best during a consultation call.)
More About Me
A picture of me in Thailand, circa 2015.
I am mixed Burkinabé-Dutch, but consider myself a global nomad, having lived and worked in various corners of Africa, North America/the US, Europe, and Asia. My passion for helping young people with trauma and ADHD started in highschool during an Art Therapy lecture and my love for self expression through non traditional methods, including artmaking.
Growing up international, in a multicultural household, and experiencing personal traumas I know what it is like to be in between worlds/identities and to feel angry and always 'on'. I've been there myself--and I understand how hard it can be to ask for help as a young person.
Getting the right support changed my life, helping me move from surviving to living fully as I am, and continuing to become. That experience drives everything I do now. My goal is to help other young people with ADHD and trauma related challenges find the same freedom, clarity, and purpose that I discovered through curiosity and therapy.
I also know what it’s like to sit in the client’s chair. I’ve had various psychotherapists and counsellors throughout my own journey and during my training, so I truly understand how it feels to reach out for the first time — especially as a young person.
Let's work together and find your inner focus and safety.