Astramía Counselling by Lina Gabbaoan
Trauma-Informed Psychosocial Counsellor
I provide trauma-informed and culturally sensitive counselling in English for individuals experiencing migration stress, cross-cultural relationship challenges, emotional abuse recovery, and life transitions.
My work is preventive and psychosocial in nature and complements but does not replace specialist or clinical mental health care.
Registered with Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT) and compliant with Dutch care quality standards (Wkkgz).
Area of Expertise
​My work focuses on how experiences are felt, processed, and lived, using a psychosocial and relational approach rather than diagnosing conditions or applying clinical labels.
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I support individuals experiencing:
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Migration-related stress and identity shifts
– Including culture shock, isolation, homesickness, loss of belonging, and the emotional impact of starting over in a new country. -
Cross-cultural and intimate relationship challenges
– Including communication difficulties, power imbalances, emotional disconnection, and relational strain influenced by cultural differences. -
Emotional impact of psychologically harmful or controlling relationships
– Including confusion, self-doubt, erosion of self-esteem, boundary difficulties, and trauma responses linked to emotionally unsafe relational dynamics. -
Trauma responses related to childhood or relational experiences
– Such as heightened emotional sensitivity, hypervigilance, emotional shutdown, or difficulties with trust and self-worth. -
Chronic emotional overwhelm, stress, and burnout
– Often linked to prolonged pressure, caregiving roles, or cumulative life stressors. -
Boundary difficulties and self-trust challenges
– Including people-pleasing patterns, fear of conflict, difficulty asserting needs, or feeling disconnected from one’s own inner signals. -
Emotional strain during high-conflict or legally stressful situations
– Including separation, custody-related stress, or prolonged interpersonal conflict, with a focus on emotional regulation and grounding.
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Important Notice
This work is psychosocial and non-clinical in nature. I do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide medical or psychiatric treatment.
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This practice is registered with Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT), a recognised Dutch professional organisation for alternative and complementary therapists.
What My Clients Say
Natasha H.
“The session with Lina helped me better understand the situation around me and my children, and the emotions that come up in everyday life. The tools she shared to practise at home made a real difference, helping me stay calm and regulate my emotions before responding to my kids. Her sessions felt very reachable and enjoyable, and I’m truly thankful for the opportunity.”
Anna M.
“Working with Lina has been an important part of my personal growth, and I’m deeply grateful for her support and guidance.
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Lina works in a trauma-informed way and never pressures me to talk about things or do activities before I’m ready. She consistently reassures me that I can move at my own pace and only share what feels safe and comfortable. That sense of safety has allowed me to open up gradually and feel more grounded in myself.
Because she has walked a similar path herself, Lina shows genuine empathy and understanding. I never feel judged or rushed, only supported by someone who truly understands what I’m experiencing. Lina’s guidance is also very structured and practical. She offers clear steps and exercises that feel achievable and suited to my personal situation. This has helped me build confidence and recognise progress over time. She also helps me understand my experiences better like why I feel certain ways, how past and present situations influence me, and how to manage emotional triggers. Having this understanding has empowered me to take a more active role in my own growth. I believe Lina will continue helping many people, especially those adjusting to motherhood in a foreign country while carrying difficult life experiences. Her support makes that journey feel less lonely and more hopeful."
Don M.
“Being new to the Netherlands from a developing country came with many adjustments. With Lina’s guidance, I gained more confidence in navigating life and systems in the Netherlands, both culturally and personally. She also helped me understand healthy boundaries, stop minimising myself, and navigate dating and social life in a more grounded and respectful way.”