Coaching in English
Born to an American mother and a father who lived in the United Kingdom for the most part of his youth, English is my ‘second mother tongue’. Thus, if you prefer, the sessions can be held in English.
Winnie Gebhardt: Practice for existential coaching
Am I still on the right path? Our the choices that I have made really my own, or has life just sort of happened to me? In other words: how do I get my life back on my track, and most importantly, how can I feel free again and live in alignment with who I really am?
Your life path
The questions that you have may make you long to get closer to the true meaning of your life. You want to feel powerful, unimpeded and alive again, and you have arrived at a place in your life’s journey where you would like to have more autonomy over the continuation of your path. Moreover, in every life there are times when you have to make choices that can be difficult for you. The implications of whatever you choose may seem (too) big, and the fear of those consequences may have a paralyzing effect. I can help you shed light on the trade-offs in ways that don’t tie you down.
My approach
In my practice we look together at what life brings you, and how you would like it to be, with attention to everything that lives inside of you. We do not shy away from the difficult things that are happening right now, or that you have experienced in the past. We also investigate openly and honestly your own role in the dynamics of the patterns that may at times bother you, and how you can change them. In this way we search and find your own story into the future.
Change is often accompanied by pain, loss and melancholy. These are tangible emotions that sometimes need to be heard. There is time and attention for this during the coaching sessions. Sometimes you may also want to experience something without words, dive into it, and then leave it for what it is. By doing so, difficult events and feelings can become part of the person you are, and you may embrace them as part of your life story. Your confidence in what the future may bring will increase.
I believe in the inner strength of people and in the lightness of being, even though it may not have shown itself for a long time. During our exploration together, I always ask questions that matter, and do not get easily distracted in the process. It’s never about right or wrong answers, but rather about the search for how exactly something holds true for you. We touch the layers of feelings, thoughts, behavior and meaning of life. In this way you come to completely new insights, sometimes step by step, sometimes with a big shock. Because usually things are not exactly as you thought they were. When you suddenly notice that there are other dimensions, you experience a space and freedom that you may not have thought possible before.
My background
Grown myself from the experiences in my life, I find it a privilege to guide others on a path to greater self-knowledge. I am trained as a clinical psychologist (Master’s in 1990). During my PhD research I began to specialize in behavior change and healthy lifestyle. I continued to work in research and teaching in this area, and received an Honorary Fellowship from the European Health Psychology Society for my contribution to the field in 2018. From 2016 to early 2023, I have enjoyed working as a volunteer in bereavement support, and I have been a Humanistic Speaker at funerals in the past. I have deepened my knowledge on (existential) psychology, philosophy, and guiding personal development throughout the years following my formal education. I have completed the one year training in voice expression with Marius Engelbrecht, and was trained as a walking coach at the Hilde Backus’ Coaching Bureau. From 2022 until early 2025, I worked as a vitality- and meaningfulness coach at the Leiden University Medical Hospital.
Experiences
The average evaluation score for me as a coach during 40 individual coaching trajectories (3 sessions) as part of the Vitality Program for Leiden University Medical Center employees, was a 9.2. Below are some descriptions of experiences of participants in this program, as well as of other coachees.
Conversations with Winnie are relaxed and insightful, sometimes indoors, sometimes during a walk outside. They help me deviate from fixed thought patterns and, as a result, to look at the things that bother me in a loving and free way. Marianne, 59 years old.
Winnie radiates warmth, and the connection with her felt familiar to me from the very first moment. Suzanne, 36 years old.
In a period when you yourself are searching for 'what now?', Winnie shows you what is valuable about where you have already arrived and encourages and supports you in the next steps you may want to take, without putting pressure on you. Peter, 63 years old.
I have experienced the walking sessions with you as very pleasant. You are a good listener, and I felt comfortable sharing my story. You asked the right questions that provided me with insights. Everyone needs this from time to time... thank you! Eva, 36 years old.
The paths you have shown me have truly helped me move forward. And the tools you have given me, I will take along with me in my backpack. Marjolein, 49 years old.
The warmth and tranquility that Winnie radiates makes it easy to have an open conversation, in which she brought me insight with her questions and appreciation for what is already there. Winnie literally and figuratively walks along with your life and provides concrete options with which you can do something. For me these ideas were very helpful and taking them up also had a true impact. Kitty, 44 years old.
The paths you have shown me have truly helped me move forward. And the tools you have given me, I will take along with me in my backpack. Marjolein, 49 years old.
Winnie is a fantastic woman who listens openly to you. She does not judge, but gives good advice and insights, both solicited and unsolicited. I found the conversations with her very valuable. Nadine, 42 years old.
Easy to talk to, very helpful, we looked as a team at how we could achieve goals. Karel, 27 years old.
Very good coach, nice to talk while walking. She picked out the essence and made me feel instead of just think. I will take this with me, I can really apply this in the future! Joanne, 45 years old.
Very pleasant atmosphere, we discussed a lot during coaching. It felt as a collaboration with input from both sides, which worked very well for me. Madelon, 52 years old.
Winnie has given me insights and strengthened my self-assurance to face the difficult topics in my life with confidence. Maartje, 42 years old.
I got a lot out of it. It was incredibly good. Exactly what I needed. Kees, 45 years.
Where we meet
I work from a small but cosy place in the Leiden Lake District (Merenwijk). If you like it and it suits your coaching question, we can make nice walks through the polder and along the Kagerplassen during the sessions. I like to use the principles of walking coaching, especially with fatigue and (incipient) burn-out complaints. For other issues as well the outdoors provides a fresh perspective in itself.
Usually the trajectories I provide are short in nature as I believe in the strenght of intensity and focus in times of transition: they mostly involve 3 to 5 sessions over a period of 2 to 5 months. A standard trajectory consists of 3 sessions of 90 minutes and costs 350 euros in total. Potential follow-up sessions are 125 euros per 90 minutes, or 67.50 euros per 45 minutes. If you cancel less than 24 hours before an appointment, 50% of the costs will be charged. If so desired, I have the option of coaching in the evenings.
Contact
If you have become curious, and would like to receive more information, or make an appointment for an introductory meeting, please send me a message at praktijkwinniegebhardt@gmail.com.
KvK registrationnummer: 87876191.
Winnie Gebhardt 