ISP Groningen, International Systemic Psychotherapy, Corinna Ostafin-Hermann

ISP Groningen offers therapy and coaching to internationals, individuals, couples, and families. Counseling sessions are possible in English, German, or Dutch.

Corinna Ostafin-Hermann, the founder of ISP Groningen, has a MA in clinical psychology and a postmaster training in systemic psychotherapy. She is an experienced therapist and has worked with a wide range of clients, including those suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, burnout, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. This work has taken place in a variety of settings, including individual, couples, and family therapy. In addition to working with clients, she provides training workshops around topics such as resource-oriented psychotherapy, resilience, burnout, and systemic therapy.
As a systemic therapist, she views psychological problems as an interaction between individuals and their contexts. These interactions are crucial for building up and maintaining as well as overcoming problematic psychological and behavioral patterns. A systemic approach can be especially useful for internationals, as they navigate the challenges of new social and cultural circumstances. In addition to her systemic background, she is experienced in working with cognitive-behavioral techniques and different methods such as genogram work, timeline and gestalt approaches. She aims for an evidence-based approach and works to keep herself updated on the newest research insights. One important perspective in her work is that it is deeply collaborative – She believes that working together is an essential ingredient in finding creative and positive solutions. Another important perspective is that she understands problems not only as obstacles to overcome, but also as invitations to grow and adapt in new ways.
She grew up in Switzerland and is married to an American. They have two daughters. The family first lived in Switzerland, then in the U.S., and has been in the Netherlands for the last 9 years. All of this means that Corinna Ostafin-Hermann has some understanding regarding how it feels to live in a foreign culture, including all of the many challenges and opportunities that comes with life as an international.