Who is Sofie?

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Hi! I’m Sofie

Enthusiastic forty-something (though I still feel like a recent graduate…) with a passion for travel, writing, and psychology. I am endlessly curious, love board games, dislike cooking, and never, ever drink coffee. I can’t pass a bookstore without stepping inside, happily spend hours talking about almost anything (except accounting and car brands), and always have thousands of ideas—though most rarely make it to the implementation stage.

 

In the summer of 2015, one idea finally stuck—and I actually managed to implement it. Yay! I took a one-year career break as a form of “burnout prevention” and set off on a trip with a one-way ticket to Africa and no plan. Yes, a perfectionist who doesn’t like planning… they do exist!

After a year, I returned with a backpack full of life lessons and even more ideas than before. But I hadn’t exactly “found myself” (which had been the plan). In other words: I knew even more clearly what I did not want to do, but I still had no idea what I did want to do. Frustrating! I quit my job anyway (that much was clear) and figured I would just have to figure things out. But finding that “alternative path” or “dream job” didn’t exactly go smoothly.

I tried many things and quickly realized that a lot sounded amazing—yet often didn’t last long or wasn’t quite the right fit. Manager of a lodge in Africa, travel blogger, copywriter… you name it, I’ve probably tried it. Then I stumbled across the term liminality and discovered the concept of creative generalists. Hallelujah!

That’s when I knew: an alternative path was the only one for me. Not everyone agreed, of course. And honestly, there were days when I wasn’t even sure myself. Old norms and beliefs are hard to shake off, and it’s not easy to keep following your own path when everyone around you seems to be doing something different. Doubt creeps in—especially when you’re a bit of a people pleaser, like me.

That whole trial-and-error journey became my inspiration. Combined with my background and experience as a psychologist, it became the foundation for developing programs around the very themes I had been struggling with myself. This way, I could help others do the same: discover their own path and start walking it. And what an incredible feeling it is to be able to do that!

Are you ready to start following your own path?

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My approach

Psychology and therapy often seem to carry a heavy, negative connotation. Understandably so—many people who seek help are struggling, carrying a lot, or fighting hard just to keep moving forward.

But often, it’s really about the everyday human challenges that are simply part of life. Without the downs, there would be no ups—and vice versa.

I don’t make things heavier than they already are. Instead, I offer practical tools, show people they’re not alone, and work in a down-to-earth way, with a touch of humor here and there. For me, the key is action and making things concrete. Understanding how something works is one thing; actually addressing it and creating change is another. That’s where I like to put the focus: on action.

I create workbooks, record videos, and provide exercises and challenges. And of course, I walk alongside you throughout the process.

If this approach sounds like a good fit for you, feel free to reach out—or go ahead and book a first introductory session. It’s completely free, so we can explore whether there’s a good connection. Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to send me a message!

Education

  • I graduated in 2004 with a degree in Clinical Psychology.

  • My interest in motivation psychology (motivation has always been important to me) led me to pursue further studies in Sport Psychology, and in 2006 I officially became a certified sport psychologist.

  • After years of working mainly with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I began a four-year training program at Balans (VSPW Ghent) in contextual therapy. Since then, I’ve been proud to be able to call myself contextual therapist as well. 

Experience

  • I’ve always been fascinated by group dynamics. During the first five years of my career, I worked for an organization where I guided groups and led trainings on team building, open communication, relationships, and more.
  • Afterwards, I spent five years in addiction care at the Centre for Mental Health (first in Leuven, then in Antwerp). In addition to individual and group client work, I also conducted trainings—Motivational Interviewing for example.
  • Alongside my main role at the Centre, I worked as an independent practitioner in a group practice before eventually transitioning to my own private practice.
  • After some exploration and playing the “jack-of-all-trades,” I’ve been working full-time as an online coach since 2017!

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Let’s connect

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WhatsApp

+32 476 63 94 86

Email

info@sofieleemans.be

Waar?

Online, dus where ever you want!

Wanneer?

Afhankelijk van waar ik me bevind én flexibel! Doorgaans gesloten in het weekend.

Over Sofie

Over Sofie

Als burn-out coach in Antwerpen combineer ik mijn achtergrond als klinisch psycholoog met een praktische, actiegerichte aanpak om cliënten te helpen bij burn-outpreventie en persoonlijke groei. Met meer dan vijftien jaar ervaring in psychologie en coaching ondersteun ik mensen bij het vinden van richting, het stellen van grenzen en het omarmen van hun veelzijdigheid. Mijn online programma’s en workshops richten zich op concrete verandering, geschikt voor wie worstelt met pleasergedrag, uitstelgedrag of een gebrek aan focus.

Ik ben opgeleid als klinisch psycholoog (2004), sportpsycholoog (2006) en contextueel therapeut, met ervaring in verslavingszorg en groepsdynamica. Mijn aanpak is laagdrempelig...