I'm Maika...
... a clinical and educational psychologist passionate about sharing uplifting and practical insights from psychology to help you empower yourself to do what’s important to you on the deepest level of your heart.
Life can be confusing and hard. I support people in making sense of themselves and connecting with, unleashing and guiding their inner power. My approach is based on the idea that with the right mindset, knowledge and skills, humans are much more capable of growth and happiness than we often assume.
I believe personal growth is the greatest adventure life holds for us - is there anything else that can change the quality of our experience in such a meaningful way?
I have a diploma (master's degree) and doctorate (PhD) in psychology. My doctoral research was funded by a scholarship from the Foundation of the German Economy. I am licensed by the Professional Association of Psychologists in Germany and by the Central Federal Association of Health Insurance Funds in Germany for training & counseling offers aimed at mental health promotion and the prevention of mental illness. I have 14 years of experience as a speaker, teacher and counselor / coach on the topic of self-leadership. In 2019 I started sharing my content in online courses and on YouTube. At the moment, I also work part-time in a clinic for psychotherapy and psychiatry.
A frequently asked question about me: did you grow up in Germany - because you have (almost) no German accent?
Yes, for the most part I grew up in Germany. From 1995-1999, though, I lived and went to school in Vermont (USA). My whole family lived there during this time. What brought us to the US was my father's job. He's an engineer and the company he worked for back then needed employees in a branch in Vermont and offered him this opportunity.
Companies I've worked for as a speaker, trainer and counselor:
Barmer GEK, Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe, Berliner Sparkasse, Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft (bbw), Bodenverwertungs- und -verwaltungs GmbH (BVVG), Bombardier Transportation GmbH, Bundesdruckerei GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Systel, Deutsche Rentenversicherung BUND, Deutsches Seminar für Tourismus Berlin e.V. (DSFT), Energie Mark Brandenburg GmbH, GASAG Berliner Gaswerke AG, Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung und Rechtspflege (FH), Fortbildungszentrum des Freistaates Sachsen, iNCO Sp. z o.o., Institut für gesundes Arbeiten Berlin, Landratsamt Unterallgäu, Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG, Lebenswelten e.V., RKW Sachsen GmbH, Robert-Koch-Institut, Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft (SDW), Spastikerhilfe Berlin eG, Staatsbad Norderney GmbH, Stadt Eberswalde, Stadtwerke Brandenburg an der Havel GmbH & Co. KG, Städtische Werke Magdeburg GmbH & Co. KG, Stiftung Preußischer Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG), Technische Universität Berlin, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, TOTAL Deutschland GmbH, US Air Force, Vattenfall Europe Business Services GmbH, Weihe GmbH, Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks
Check out my Youtube channel:
The Three Levels of Self-Leadership
This video explains what self-leadership looks like on three different levels:
1) managing the events in our life,
2) our mental processing of those events and
3) the emotional and physical follow-up/response to events and our mental processing.
What It Feels Like To Have Strong Self-Confidence
If you've ever wondered what a strong sense of self-worth is made up of, you're at the right place here! This video explains the convictions this type of confidence rests on, so if you feel like this is something you want to work on, after watching this, you'll know which direction to head into.
Stages Of Change: What To Expect When You’re Going Through Change & Why Not To Give Up
Change happens gradually and there's a lot to figure out along the way: is this really what I want? Is it worth it? If this is the right thing for me, then why am I afraid? How can I stay persistent? This video explains the stages & steps we go through when we're changing so you'll be better equipped to sort it all out and be successful.
How Repressing Emotions & Feelings Makes Us Sick & How To Stop
When we repress emotions & other signals from our bodies, we'll end up staying longer in situations that make us sick. This is how repression contributes to illness. In this video I explain why repression is not a healthy permanent coping style and how to stop it.