Therapy and parent guidance services at FocusNest are provided by Drs. Amelie van den Brink El Makkaoui, a Registered Art Psychotherapist (ATR), and a certified practitioner in Emotional Freedom Tapping Techniques, Play Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Emotional Intelligence (Level 1).

Drs. van den Brink El Makkaoui earned her BA in Psychology and Art Therapy from the College of Santa Fe (magnum cum laude), and her MA in Art Therapy from New York University (cum laude) in the United States.

She brings over 12 years of global experience working extensively with children, their families, and young adults (up to age 35)- presenting with ADHD and/or trauma related challenges in psychiatry, day treatment centers, summer schools, humanitarian disaster settings, and private practice. 

Drs. van den Brink El Makkaoui is passionate about using alternative and integrated therapies to help youth understand their emotions, neurological and social challenges, and empowering them to make decisions that boost their self-confidence and self-awareness so that they can thrive internally and with others, whether at home, work or wherever. She takes a humanistic, psychodynamic and holistic approach, considering each client's temperament, culture, and micro and macro dynamics to ensure meaningful progress, both in and out of her therapy room.

Her work spans various cultural communities including African, Asian, European, and mixed ethnic/bi-/multi/third culture+.

She has availability only on Tuesdays, Fridays and weekends.