Question 1

1. About my professional practice

Accepted Answer

I am Lina Gabbaoan, founder and practitioner at Astramía Counselling.My work focuses on preventive psychosocial counselling and emotional support, particularly around experiences such as migration and cultural adjustment, relationships and life transitions, motherhood, prolonged stress, emotional recovery and rebuilding a sense of self.My approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, culturally aware and practical. Rather than beginning with a diagnosis, our work begins with your experience, circumstances and what feels important to you.Astramía is a private counselling practice based in Groningen, with online support available throughout the Netherlands and in-person availability in Groningen and Oldambt.

Question 2

2. Professional registration

Accepted Answer

Astramía Counselling operates within a professional framework intended to support responsible, ethical and transparent practice.Practitioner Lina GabbaoanProfessional registration / affiliation CAT CollectiefPractice Astramía CounsellingChamber of Commerce (KvK) 96940719VAT IDNL005238416B15

Question 3

3. Education and professional development

Accepted Answer

My professional development combines formal education, counselling training and continuing professional development.Relevant areas of education and training include:Psychology and Health Science Academic study providing a foundation in human behaviour, health, psychology and related disciplines.Counselling Advanced counselling education focused on developing professional helping skills, ethical awareness and reflective practice.Coaching Training in structured, person-centred approaches to supporting reflection, goals and change.Trauma-Informed Care Additional professional development concerning the effects of adversity and the importance of safety, choice, collaboration and appropriate pacing.Psychosocial Basic Knowledge (PsBK)Professional development in psychosocial and health-related knowledge relevant to complementary and psychosocial practice.Continuing Professional DevelopmentLearning does not end with a qualification. I continue developing my knowledge and practice through education, professional training, reflection and supervision or other professional-development activities where appropriate.

Question 4

4. My scope of practice

Accepted Answer

Astramía provides preventive and psychosocial counselling.Counselling may include:supportive and reflective conversation;psychoeducation;emotional regulation and grounding;exploration of thoughts, emotions and relational patterns;reflection on identity, values and boundaries;practical coping strategies;support around migration and cultural adjustment;support through relationships and life transitions;support around motherhood and changing roles; andemotional support during prolonged or difficult circumstances.The exact focus depends on your circumstances and what is appropriate within the counselling relationship.

Question 5

5. What Astramía does not provide

Accepted Answer

Being clear about professional boundaries is part of ethical practice.Astramía's counselling services are not presented as:emergency or crisis care;psychiatric treatment;specialist mental healthcare;medical diagnosis or treatment;psychological diagnosis;medication management;forensic psychological assessment;custody evaluation;legal advice; ora substitute for services requiring another regulated or specialist professional.If your circumstances appear to require another type or level of care, I will aim to discuss this with you openly so that appropriate next steps or referral options can be considered.

Question 6

6. Trauma-informed practice

Accepted Answer

Being trauma-informed does not mean assuming that every difficulty is caused by trauma or that every client requires trauma treatment.For me, it means paying attention to principles such as:Safety Creating an environment in which you can speak without unnecessary pressure.Choice You retain agency over what you share and the direction of our work.Pacing There is no expectation that difficult experiences must be discussed before you feel ready.Collaboration Counselling is something we work on together rather than something done to you.Context Your responses are considered within your relationships, culture, history and circumstances rather than viewed in isolation.Astramía does not present trauma-informed counselling as specialist trauma treatment where such treatment falls outside the scope of the practice.

Question 7

7. Cultural awareness

Accepted Answer

Culture shapes how we understand relationships, family, independence, responsibility, emotion, parenting, belonging and asking for help.For internationals and migrants in particular, emotional experiences can also be connected with language, migration, cultural expectations, belonging and living between different worlds.Culturally aware counselling means making room for these realities rather than assuming that one cultural perspective fits everyone.It also means remaining curious. I do not assume that sharing a nationality, migration experience or cultural background means I automatically understand another person's experience.Your experience remains your own.

Question 8

8. Confidentiality

Accepted Answer

What you share in counselling is treated confidentially and with respect for your privacy.Information is not ordinarily shared with another person without your permission.There may be exceptional circumstances where confidentiality cannot remain absolute, including serious safety concerns or situations where disclosure is required or permitted by law.Where circumstances allow, I will aim to discuss this with you before information is disclosed.More detailed information about personal data and professional records is available in the Privacy Policy.

Question 9

9. Professional records

Accepted Answer

Appropriate records are maintained as part of responsible professional practice.Client and counselling information may be maintained within the Astramía Digital ECD System and CAT ECD, as applicable to the professional record.Access to counselling information is restricted and information is handled according to its sensitivity and purpose.Further information about record keeping, retention and your GDPR rights can be found in the Privacy Policy.Clients should avoid recording online counselling sessions unless this has been explicitly discussed and agreed beforehand.

Question 10

10. Professional boundaries

Accepted Answer

A clear professional relationship helps create a safer counselling environment.Professional boundaries may concern:communication outside sessions;social media contact;personal relationships;gifts;conflicts of interest;dual relationships;physical contact;financial arrangements; andthe appropriate limits of the counselling relationship.Where a potential boundary issue or conflict of interest arises, it will be considered in relation to the client's wellbeing, professional responsibilities and applicable ethical requirements.

Question 11

11. Working alongside other professionals

Accepted Answer

Counselling does not always need to exist in isolation.Where appropriate, Astramía may work alongside support you receive from a GP, psychologist, mental healthcare provider, social professional, legal professional or another relevant service.Information is not routinely shared with another professional simply because you are receiving support from them.Where coordination or information sharing is appropriate, this should normally be discussed with you and handled in accordance with confidentiality, consent and applicable legal requirements.

Question 12

12. Legal, separation and custody-related circumstances

Accepted Answer

Some clients come to Astramía while navigating separation, legal proceedings, custody concerns or other high-conflict circumstances.In these situations, my role remains that of a psychosocial counsellor supporting the client's emotional wellbeing.Counselling may help you process difficult experiences, regulate emotions, prepare yourself emotionally for challenging conversations or proceedings, recognise your needs and remain grounded during uncertainty.It does not make Astramía a legal representative, forensic evaluator or decision-maker concerning the underlying dispute.Where legal advice is required, this should be obtained from an appropriately qualified legal professional.

Question 13

13. Ethical commitments

Accepted Answer

My practice is guided by several core commitments.RespectYour experiences, values, culture and autonomy deserve respect even when they differ from my own.AutonomyYou remain an active participant in decisions concerning your counselling.ConfidentialityPersonal information is handled carefully and within appropriate professional and legal boundaries.Professional competenceI work within the limits of my education, training, experience and professional scope.Appropriate referralRecognising when another professional may be better placed to provide support is part of responsible practice.Non-discriminationCounselling should be provided respectfully without inappropriate discrimination.Reflective practiceI continue to reflect on my work, professional boundaries and development as a practitioner.

Question 14

14. When another kind of support may be more appropriate

Accepted Answer

There may be circumstances in which Astramía is not the most appropriate service for what you need.This does not mean that your experience is “too much” for counselling. It may simply mean that a different professional has the particular expertise, authority or level of care your circumstances require.Where this becomes apparent, I will aim to discuss it with you respectfully.Depending on the circumstances, this might involve considering support from:your GP;specialist mental healthcare;emergency or crisis services;another counsellor or therapist;a psychologist or psychiatrist;a medical professional;a domestic violence or safeguarding service;a legal professional; oranother appropriate specialist.

Professional Registration & Ethics