About me
My name is Chiara von Degenfeld, from the Netherlands, and happily married to my German-French husband. Together we live in the Netherlands.
From an early age I have had a great interest in the development of people, mostly in the areas of human flourishing. This made me study Psychology in Leiden, and Anthropology in the United States. Over the last 5 years I have been a teacher in elementary school, guiding children ánd their parents, and I have been giving workshops around the topics of relationships, communication, love, marriage, education, taletns, and social media. In all of these contexts a few things became very clear to me:
We all have so much capacity in us to flourish, but because of the pressure and expectations from outside we often don’t fully (dare to) live out our life purpose and we settle for ‘less’;
We all long for love, but we don’t know what to exactly do with it. Can we take the risk of opening up our heart?
We all have emotions, but what are they and are we even allowed to feel them?
Many of us have physical symptoms, such as intestinal problems, headaches, or others such as over-/under eating, always feeling restless.
The above questions also became part of my own life. Do I give up my job (the safety of a monthly payment; my self-image of ‘I have a job’ and so I count in this world…) in order to discover the deepest longings in my heart and my life purpose. Do I dare to take this risk, and maybe through that not get the approval of society around me? Do I get married, and commit myself to someone else, which maybe also means giving up some of myself? Do I take this risk of love? Do I dare to get in touch with my own body, to feel?
Over the last years I have been able to go deeper into these processes with some coaches, and I have discovered that this has been so healing for me, which I long for every person! That’s why I decided to form myself in this field of coaching.
I can’t wait to walk this path of flourishing together with you, to discover your life purpose, and to discover what is blocking you of fully thriving, and to live in harmony of heart, mind ánd body.
Feel free to shoot me an email or text with all of your questions and thoughts!
I offer one-on-one coaching, workshops, online webinars and in person events.
Languages: English, Dutch, & German.
Education
Psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent development. Leiden University, the Netherlands.
Master’s degree in Theology with a specialization in Anthropology. Franciscan University of Steubenville, USA.
Teachers degree primary education. Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.
Courses in Theology of the Body. Theology of the Body Institute, USA.
1 Year full time program in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Theology. ITI Catholic University, Austria.
Course ‘Healing the whole Person’. John Paul II Healing Institute.
Training for Coaching. USA
Experience
Personal mentor in a healthcare facility for children with psychological disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism).
Supporting children and teenagers with intellectual disabilities through dance.
Guiding youth with intellectual disabilities in the hospitality sector.
Conducting workshops on identity, love and relationships for teenagers and adults.
Leading children, teenagers, and adults in an international musical organization.
Teaching various primary school classes (grades 1 through 6).
Providing personal guidance and coaching to teenagers and young women.
