Sometimes life asks us to change flight patterns in mid-air, this takes flexibility and a fresh perspective.
What We Did For Others
Below is a sample of projects we did for organisations and individuals on the island of Sint Maarten. It serves as an illustration of what we can do, not as a resume.
Psychology is in everything, you will encounter it in your every day life on different levels. Therefore no two cases are alike. Our cases serve as an ever expanding example of how we can help you or help you help yourself.
Hurricanes and Rainbows
This psychosocial project of the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation, funded by the National Disaster Fund, linked young adolescents and seniors of St. Maarten together through life story interviewing concerning coping with (the aftermath of) hurricanes. It had the focus to develop intergenerational connection, stimulating providing psychosocial support and to enrich the documentation of … Continue reading Hurricanes and Rainbows
APAP: professional platform
Connecting with professionals in the field is one of the main focal areas of Inspired. For psychologists and allied professionals, APAP SXM (Association of Psychologists and Allied Professionals) is the platform to connect and share knowledge and experience in the field of psychology. Being active (board) members of the association Caroline and Sanne invest in … Continue reading APAP: professional platform
Training Psychosocial Support in Disasters – K1 DIRECT
With the Government of St. Maarten, K1 DIRECT committed to assist in manning and coordinating the logistics related to emergency shelters, coordinating the distribution of relief goods, and conducting first response. Though they have a pre-determined role assist in these areas, they are very much aware of the unpredictability and chaos related to crises and … Continue reading Training Psychosocial Support in Disasters – K1 DIRECT
Method development SBC
Sister Basilia Center (SBC) is part of the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation; the leading care organization after the hospital on Sint Maarten. We were honoured to be able to assist them in 2019 with the development of a manual for a new care product. The White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation was preparing … Continue reading Method development SBC
Teaching at NIPA
In 2020 we were honoured to be able to contribute to the development of the study program ‘SPW’ at NIPA (see for more information on their website). We designed and implemented the course of ‘Care for Persons with a Disability’ – a matter we both carry in our hearts. In this course we were able … Continue reading Teaching at NIPA
Team Development MHF
In June 2020 a program was organised for the coordinators of MHF. Based on a screening session with them a tailor made training program was designed. The program included a baseline team assessment on the Five Behaviors of Lencioni, leading to a focus on trust being the foundation of the pyramid, healthy conflict and commitment. … Continue reading Team Development MHF
Workshop at AUC
During the thrive week at AUC we provided the staff a workshop called: ‘Juggling with the demands of a pandemic’. The workshop touched topics like: becoming aware of the extra challenges we face, whether or not you should adjust your expectations towards yourself and others. How to connect rather than correct, and what tools can … Continue reading Workshop at AUC
Workshop Saba Reach Foundation
Being a non-profit organization has its challenges. Mental health issues continue to come to the forefront in the workplace and in our communities. Nonprofit organizations are being called upon to respond to this need with little or no financial support because the resources are limited in many communities. This and other challenges can have an … Continue reading Workshop Saba Reach Foundation
The Team
Our team consists of two psychologists, BIG registered in the Netherlands and living on St. Maarten:
Caroline van Oost
Caroline was born in Canada and grew up in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. She studied at the University of Utrecht and in Nijmegen at Radboud Centre of Social Sciences. After visiting the island for many years she decided to move in 2016 to the island. For more information about her professional career you can see her LinkedIn profile.
Sanne about Caroline:
“One of her strengths is her determination. After hurricane Irma that was the first thing I noticed. Her kindness is her drive to contribute to the community and be of assistance in building back. She is able to involve people, make them part of a team responsibility and combine strengths to overcome challenges together and deliver quality. She motivates others to think things through, to not jump to conclusions and maybe even change one’s mind in light of evidence. Quality is what she stands for. She is eager to learn and develop her professional skills. Not just as a professional though. She has a lot of different interests, for example she loves to discover the underwater world by diving or helping others by being actively involved in several volunteer projects. Being a genuine and sincere person, Caroline stays true to herself, with an open mind and appreciation for the beliefs and motives of others. Make her part of your team and she will put in all her effort, explore, give an honest opinion and look for opportunities to grow as a team. For me, her drive and determination, inspired me to feel empowered in my strengths. So why not make that dream come true? We share our ideas about psychology, a good sense of humor, patience, creativity and more. Resulting in a collaboration in which we can be inspired even more and inspire others, not just in a therapy setting. Why should we only color in between the lines?“
SAnne Gruijters
Sanne was born in a town nearby Maastricht, in The Netherlands. She studied at the University of that same city and found her way to Sint Maarten by visiting family and friends many times. She decided to finally move there in March 2017. For more information about her professional career you can see her LinkedIn profile.
Caroline about Sanne:
“If you talk to Sanne, she will spark you with her creative mind and enthusiasm. That is something that immediately stands out with her. Her broad smile and sparkling eyes that pop up when she talks about her passions . Sanne is always eager to develop herself and is not afraid to think outside of the box. She enjoys exploring new things and appreciating the small things in life. Developing new products and ideas is a strength of her, just like her talent of looking at challenges from different perspectives and critically reflect on this, giving ground to her being able to make wise and fair decisions. Her ability to connect, innovate and share her knowledge in an understandable manner for whoever she is talking to is inspiring for me. She is able to move herself comfortable around in different social settings and make people feel at ease. Her creativity is not only an important aspect for her professional identity, also in her personal life you see this in different forms. She can make from nothing something and is able to create beautiful art and items that would not be misplaced in several shops. She is a woman with a wide variety of interests, from driving a motorbike to crochet! A person who i am happy to collaborate with and embark on this great journey to innovate, inspire and create within the psychology field!”
Contact
If you have questions then you can contact us on the following ways:
- Phone: +1 721 559-4169 (Sanne) or +1 721 554-1744 (Caroline)
- By filling out our contact form: