Hi, I'm Svenja

Born in New Jersey to a German father and Belgian mother, I was raised in a multicultural and multilingual household, speaking English, German, and French fluently. Our family later moved to France, where I attended a French-German high school.

At 18, I relocated to Germany and studied psychology at the University of Mannheim. I graduated with the now defunct degree of "Diplom-Psychologin", positioned between a master's degree and a PhD. I subsequently completed my training in cognitive behavioral therapy at the private institute IFKV Bad Dürkheim, successfully passing the national licensing exam to become a "Psychologische Psychotherapeutin" (licensed psychotherapist).

After moving to Seattle in 2021, I was struck by the unique challenges facing tech professionals. Through my partner and close friends working in the industry, I observed the toll that constant connectivity, high performance expectations, and blurred work-life boundaries were taking on their well-being. Drawing on my 15+ years of clinical experience and my personal mindfulness practice since 2017, I found myself uniquely positioned to help.

Therapist in a black cardigan standing in front of trees
Therapist in a black cardigan standing in front of trees

Our Services

At Akeso Coaching, we believe in the power of simplicity paired with science. Our approach combines evidence-based techniques with authentic, empathetic guidance — delivered with a touch of humor and genuine curiosity. We don't just offer solutions for you to follow; we explore possibilities together, creating space for you to discover your own path to well-being.

  • Mindfulness Training: Learn practical techniques to stay present and aware, reducing overthinking and increasing your appreciation of daily life.

  • Stress Management: Develop personalized strategies to identify stress triggers and respond effectively, transforming how you experience challenging situations.

  • Work-Life Balance: Create sustainable boundaries and priorities that honor both your professional goals and personal well-being.

  • Emotional Regulation: Build skills to understand and navigate your emotions with greater ease, leading to more thoughtful responses and less reactivity.

  • Non-Violent Communication: Master the art of expressing needs and listening deeply, fostering more meaningful connections and resolving conflicts with empathy.

  • Self-Compassion: Cultivate a kinder relationship with yourself, replacing harsh self-criticism with understanding and acceptance.

  • Resilience Building: Strengthen your ability to adapt and recover from setbacks, developing the inner resources to face life's challenges with confidence.