Norman Veens

Therapist Directory Listing Category: Psychotherapists and Counsellors

About the Therapist

About the therapist:

Since we’ll be working together for a while, it’s only fair to introduce myself a little. I am a Dutch national who came to Scotland for its hills, education and never-failing hospitality. My interest in psychotherapy came during my time studying anthropology: I could finally articulate the role our culture plays in shaping what we feel, and are allowed to feel.

This interest led me to volunteer as a befriender and for mental health helplines. I eventually completed a certificate degree in Interpersonal Dialogue counselling from the University of Edinburgh. I also pursued a postgraduate degree in psychodynamic counselling at Human Development Scotland. The reason for focusing on the psychodynamic approach is both a drive to understand the beginnings of therapy, and recognizing phenomena in my own life. I was driven to seek formal training. I explored psychodynamic thinking deeply through a Masters in Psychoanalytic Studies at Birkbeck, London.

Sexual identity:

Bi- | Pansexual
Other

Gender identity: Non-binary

Gender history: Prefer not to say

Non-monogamy: Yes

Intersex: No

Neurodivergent: Yes

Personal pronouns: He/they

Qualifications - Links to websites:

bacp: 01037262

Qualifications - Additional:

Award	Awarding body	Year of award
PGDip Counselling and Human Relations PGCert Interpersonal Dialogue MA Psychoanalytic Studies	HDS University of Edinburgh Birkbeck	2025 2022 2021

Experience and approach:

psychodynamic

We can become trapped in patterns formed early in life. The relationships and experiences we had growing up shape how we see ourselves and what we expect from others. These patterns often play out without us fully realizing it, affecting our relationships, our work, and our sense of ourselves.

In our sessions, we’ll notice these patterns as they emerge, both in your daily life and in the space between us. Recognizing them is the first step toward changing them. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a place where these patterns can be safely explored and gradually transformed, giving you the insight and confidence to relate differently to yourself and others.

existential

Life transitions, losses, and loneliness often bring up deeper questions about who we are and what matters to us. Major life events, whether current or from the past, can leave us feeling lost or questioning everything we thought we knew.

Therapy can help you navigate these fundamental questions, particularly when they feel too big or too painful to face alone. We create space to explore questions of meaning, identity, choice, and connection with honesty and without easy answers, supporting you to find your own way forward with greater clarity and authenticity.

mindfulness

By developing and deepening a sense of safety in your body, you can encounter yourself and your past from a place of feeling more resourced and grounded. Rather than being overwhelmed by feelings, you learn to notice and work with bodily sensations and emotions as they arise.

This approach is tailored to your specific history, capacity, needs, and circumstances. Over time, it helps address underlying tensions and can particularly ease difficulties related to neurodivergence, anxiety, and trauma. The practices are always guided and collaborative, with constant checking in to ensure you feel supported and in control of the process.

Approaches: