Welcome to my practice

Existential and Jungian psychoanalysis in Utrecht or online. A safe space for self-insight and personal growth.

My approach

I offer individual guidance from various psychoanalytic traditions, tailored to your personal needs.

Existential psychoanalysis

Existential psychoanalysis is a talk-based approach that emerges from the dialogue between psychoanalysis and existential philosophy. We all experience feelings of anxiety, alienation, depression, and confusion from time to time. Some of us struggle with these symptoms more than others, but we all share largely the same needs and desires.

It requires candor and curiosity, with attention to each person's unique individuality and life story. As you get to know yourself better, new paths and choices open up, and greater clarity and authenticity develop in how you stand in life.

Existential psychoanalysis helps you, by reflecting on freedom, responsibility, meaning, loneliness, and death, to better know yourself and rediscover the passion that is missing in your life... or perhaps discover it for the first time.

Presence approach

Presence is a relational way of approaching people. The principle is: you cannot be for someone if you are not with them. Building a relationship with attention and dedication, connecting with who the other person is, what their life is really about.

Then exploring together who we can be for each other. Professional knowledge is used in service of the relationship, not for psychological advice or intervention.

This creates space for authentic encounter and real change. More about the presence approach: Stichting Presentie

Jungian analysis

Exploration of the unconscious through dreams, symbols, and archetypes. Suitable for self-development and discovering deeper layers of meaning in your life.

Psychodynamic guidance

Insight into patterns from the past that influence your current life. Suitable for relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and personality questions.

My background

My path to psychoanalysis began, after studying chemistry, with a career in IT, where I worked for many years as a freelancer. Sports was my (too) big hobby. At age 45, I developed injuries that made intensive sports no longer possible. This led at the end of 2019 to an indefinable feeling of stress and eventually a long period of discomfort and depression. After a workshop on systemic work, I felt for the first time that alongside reason, the unconscious also plays a role in our lives. This thought became the beginning of a new interest, or better said: a fascination. What is happening within us?

The IT work was phased out, after which I could delve into philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Gradually, this led to weekly psychoanalytic sessions and training in Jungian and existential psychoanalysis.

The psychoanalytic training brought about a profound transformation. I have also experienced what it means when unconscious, inherited family patterns are broken. This experience deepened my understanding of how fundamentally patterns can be anchored, and how liberating it is when they can be released.

Since 2021, I have been a volunteer at Zin in Utrecht, focused on being present with people experiencing existential loneliness. The combination of psychoanalysis, study, and contact with others has led to a more intimate and open life.

Education & background:

Psychoanalytic training:
• Analytical Psychology (IAAP) - 2 years Jungian Analysis via NAAP
• Existential Psychoanalysis - 2-year training (started September 2024) focusing on loneliness, responsibility, freedom, and death. Including intensive supervision
• Ongoing personal training analysis

Additional training:
• Stichting Presentie - Introduction and deepening in the presence approach with qualification assessment. Admitted to the Stichting Presentie network
• Life Atlas Psychological Typology - Consultant and Advisor training

Practice experience:
• Zin in Utrecht (since 2021) - Weekly visits to people who are lonely and need contact
• Private practice (since 2024) - Individual guidance of clients
• Weekly supervision and monthly peer consultation as part of ongoing professional development

René Pieterse

Contact & scheduling

Feel free to contact me for an introductory session

📧 Email

contact@psychoanalyse-presentie.nl

📱 Phone

+31 (0)6 5191 9580

📍 Location

Utrecht
(Exact address after appointment)

💻 Online sessions available

Sessions last 50 minutes. Fee by consultation.
Unfortunately not covered by basic insurance, possibly through supplementary insurance.

⚠️ Important information

My practice may not be suitable if you are looking for:

• Problem analysis, diagnosis, or treatment plan
• Cognitive behavioral therapy with fixed scheduling
• Goal-oriented interventions

I cannot assist with:

• Neurological problems
• Severe psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations)
• Dissociative disorders
• Excessive drug or alcohol use
• Acute suicidality or crisis situations

Referrals:

If needed, I can refer you to specialists within my professional network with experience in psychotherapy, trauma treatment, body work, EMDR, or guidance with psychedelic substances.

In case of crisis or acute need for help, you can contact your GP, the crisis service (113 Suicide Prevention: 0800-0113), or Emergency Services.