Find Your Linden Specialist

Hi, I am Kivi! (Kivilcim Afacan – she/they).

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I moved from New York and am currently located in Berlin.

I have always found sciences exciting, and I studied a well-balanced mixture of natural and social sciences before pursuing my PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the City University of New York.

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From a young age, I have been inspiring my peers and students of varied ages to get excited about the subjects we are learning. My learning and teaching philosophy has been “it’s actually a lot of fun, if we look at it this way...”. Over the years I observed this curious and playful attitude become a long-term skill for learners to apply in managing challenging situations. As a scientist and educator with experience in different continents, I volunteered with several disadvantaged communities, worked as a full-time professor at a variety of colleges, and supported women and minorities in STEM.

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I specialize in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (all levels – including AP), SAT prep and general academic support. My lasting interest in the gamification of tasks and challenges is an added bonus for my fellow learning friends and students.

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I am from Turkey and I speak English and Turkish. In my free time, I like playing the piano, jogging, experimenting with cooking, making clay sculptures, and doing acro-yoga.

Hi, I’m Lacey! I’m a licensed clinical social worker from the United States. I have bachelor's and master's degrees in social work, with an emphasis in high-risk youth. I have 20 years experience working with adolescents and young adults in residential and outpatient settings, and have conducted individual, group, and family therapy, as well as crisis intervention.

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I have a passion for helping young people with a variety of mental health difficulties including depression, self harm, and anxiety. I use a strengths-based approach to therapy, encouraging young people to discover and utilize their own strengths to help achieve their goals. I also combine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) techniques to best help the individual. I strive to establish an open and supportive environment in order for young people to feel safe and heard. I am here to help you with all types of child and adolescent challenges.

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My specialties include: depression, self harm, mood swings, and stress/anxiety.

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I’m American and I speak English.

Hi, I’m Lina! I’m an international School Counselor, SEL/Wellness Educator, and Mental Health Advocate with over 20 years of experience in coaching and counseling. I hold a BSc in Psychology from the University of York (UK), an MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver (USA), and a Master of Advanced Studies in Health and Fitness from the University of Salzburg (Austria). I am currently working on my doctoral degree in Psychology focused on Youth Suicide Prevention in International Schools.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in international schools across six continents and 13 countries, serving as a High School Counselor, Wellness Coordinator, Mindfulness Instructor, and Suicide Prevention Program Facilitator. I have coached athletic teams and developed mindfulness and mental health programs that have positively impacted entire school communities.As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), I have lived, studied, and/or worked in Kenya, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, the UK, Morocco, Austria, USA, Australia, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Chile.

This diverse cultural background allows me to deeply understand the complexities of cultural transitions and build connections with students, families, and educators from around the world.I specialize in supporting students’ social-emotional well-being and mental health. I integrate evidence-based approaches like mindfulness and solution-focused strategies to empower students, teachers, and families.

My focus areas include mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and creating inclusive spaces where every student and family feels supported, no matter how big their challenges may seem.I also offer professional development workshops for schools globally, teaching practical evidence-based mental health strategies to students, educators, and parents. I’m certified in programs like Mindfulness in Schools (.b), Mindful Schools, and yoga instruction, which I incorporate into my work for effective, practical support.

Currently, I live in Vienna, Austria, with my cute Golden Retriever, Josie, who is a trained therapy dog. Josie joins me in creating a warm and welcoming environment for all students and families.

I am fluent in English and German, very comfortable in French and can understand Spanish and Dutch.

Hi, I’m Lindsey! I’m a licensed school psychologist from the United States. I received my Master of education (M.Ed.) and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Prior to relocating to Italy in 2018, I worked in two public school districts in the suburban Chicago, Illinois region for 12 school years. My experiences there included working with students at both the elementary and middle school levels. My most recent school-based employment was at the secondary school level of an international school in Rome, Italy. I also spent a year conducting online psychoeducational evaluations for students in rural school districts in Indiana, USA, who did not have access to an in-person school psychologist in their region.

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These opportunities gave me the chance to work with students from diverse racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds. My skills include conducting a variety of psychoeducational assessments, using data to create student interventions, progress monitoring, consulting with teachers, and designing and monitoring accommodations for students.

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I specialise in: psychoeducational evaluation, ADHD, anxiety, ASD, and gifted students.

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I’m from the United States and I speak English.

Hi, I’m Lisanne! I am a counselor and currently living in Norway. Originally from the Netherlands, I speak both Dutch and English. I hold a master’s degree in Education and Child Studies from Leiden University and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Education from the University of Nottingham.

I have worked as a wellbeing counselor in different international schools across Europe supporting students from primary through high school. I am passionate about supporting children and young people to make choices that promote their wellbeing and success.

My areas of focus include emotion regulation, social skills, transitions, confidence & self-esteem, stress management, mental health awareness & support, and parenting support. I work with a range of strategies but emphasize a solution-focused and strength-based approach.

On a more personal note, I am a proud mother of twin toddlers and married to an Australian. The experience of raising an international family has not only given me a deeper insight into the joys and challenges of parenting but has also helped me to better understand the unique hurdles that many international families face when relocating.

This journey has broadened my empathy and reinforced my passion for supporting children, young people and their families in international communities.

Hi, I'm Lotta!

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I hold an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy from City, University of London.

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After graduating, I volunteered as a Speech and Language Therapist in Cambodia – where I also lived as a child – working with NGOs to improve support for children with speech, language, and communication needs.

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After returning to London, I worked for the National Health Service across various boroughs and settings, including nurseries, schools, and healthcare centers. I also gained experience with teletherapy through my freelance work with Mable Therapy. Since moving to Berlin in 2023, I've been working in private practice.

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My work with Linden is especially meaningful to me because it allows me to support the international community. Having grown up as a third-culture kid (TCK), frequently moving between countries and languages, I deeply understand both the beauty and the challenges of a highly mobile, multicultural life. Helping families and their children navigate speech and language difficulties in this context is something I truly cherish.

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I specialize in early years intervention, speech sound disorders, and voice disorders.

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As a German adult TCK, I speak German, Spanish, and English.

Hi, I’m Makia!

I’m an educator and licensed clinical social worker with a passion for supporting children, families, and school communities across borders. My work lives at the intersection of identity, culture, and care. With a background in both teaching and clinical practice, I bring a reflective, trauma-informed lens to supervision, consultation, and workshops. Having lived overseas and raised a multicultural family, I understand the complexities of belonging, transition, and resilience. I am dedicated to helping international schools and professionals build sustainable practices that honor both individual stories and systemic context.

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I specialize in: life transitions (i.e., grief/loss, moving abroad, etc.), trauma/post-traumatic stress, anxiety, parent education/support, school-based interventions, teacher training, crisis, mindfulness, and supervision/consultation.

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I’m from the United States and I speak English.

Hi! I'm Manuel — a psychologist, counselor, and educator originally from Mexico, now based in Berlin. I hold a B.A. in Psychology from ITESO University in Guadalajara and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the International Psychoanalytic University here in Berlin. I’m also a certified counselor through the International Psychosocial Organization (IPSO), a respected non-profit providing mental health support both in Germany and internationally.

For the past five years, I have worked directly with children and teenagers in a variety of settings, ranging from social work to school environments. My focus has been on supporting their social and emotional well-being by helping them navigate life transitions, manage emotions, set goals, overcome anxiety, and build self-esteem. I use a culturally sensitive approach that respects personal values and the ways they interact with the world around us. Together, we identify strengths and find the best solutions for each individual.

My key areas of interest include immigration, culture shock, adaptation, and child and adolescent development—and how these important factors connect. Having lived in Mexico, the USA, Canada, and now Berlin for the past seven years, I bring both professional expertise and personal insight to my work.

I am also a facilitator at our Budding Boys summer camp! At camp, I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where each budding boy feels seen, valued, and encouraged to grow—while having fun, building lasting confidence, and making awesome friends.

I speak Spanish and English fluently.

Hi, I’m Maria! I am a Speech-Language Pathologist from Florida, passionate about working with children and supporting their communication development.

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I earned my Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a focus in Biological and Health Sciences and a Minor in Psychology in 2006 from the University of Central Florida. In 2011, I completed my Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, also at the University of Central Florida. I have been a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since then and earned my Certificate of Clinical Competence in 2012.

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For the past ten years, I’ve worked as an Elementary Speech/Language Pathologist in the public school system, while also maintaining a private practice caseload serving both remote and in-person clients.

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My therapy focuses on children with expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation disorders, social-pragmatic deficits, autism spectrum disorder, cochlear implants, and Down Syndrome. I believe communication is key to helping children thrive in all environments.

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I am Italian-American and speak English and Italian.

Hi, I’m Maria! I’m a speech-language pathologist with a passion for helping families and children reach their full communicative potential. My goal is to provide skilled, compassionate support while always respecting each person’s unique personality, interests, and abilities.

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I received my bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017 in my home country of Greece. After gaining valuable clinical experience at a Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Centre, I moved to Scotland in 2019 to complete a master’s degree in Autism Research. Following that, I became a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), continuing my practice in the public sector in London, where I’ve worked with school-aged children and teenagers with speech and language needs. I have relocated to Berlin, where I continue to support children and teenagers in both Greek and English through online and face-to-face sessions.

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Using a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions, I incorporate both traditional and alternative approaches to offer personalized, effective support. I advocate for the power of small steps, transparency, and achieving measurable results.

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I specialize in working with children and teenagers who have language difficulties, including Developmental Language Disorder and Autism. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting individuals with Learning Difficulties, Down Syndrome, and Phonological and Articulation Disorders.

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I am from Greece, and I speak Greek and English.

Hi, I am Maria-Amalia, a licensed psychologist with a Master of Arts in “Applications of Psychology in Education,” specializing in “Alternative Psychopedagogical Approaches.” I earned both degrees from the University of Crete and have recently moved to Berlin.

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For over 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with children, guiding them through their educational journey. In the past four years, I’ve served as a School Psychologist, collaborating with over 20 schools in Heraklion, Crete, spanning both primary and secondary institutions. In my role as a School Psychologist, I have dedicated myself to supporting children facing emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. My approach is rooted in respect for both the children and their families, with the aim of nurturing the best in each individual.

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I firmly believe in the power of collaborative partnerships with parents and families. Together, we can create a united front of support and guidance for each child, ensuring that strategies and interventions seamlessly extend from school to home. This approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of each child’s needs but also empowers parents with the tools and knowledge to continue the support beyond the classroom.

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In addition to my role as a School Psychologist, I’ve designed and implemented a diverse range of educational and environmental programs, including experiential initiatives like sand sculpture, rhythm exploration, theatrical play, hidden treasure hunts, storytelling, and more! These creative approaches have not only equipped children with essential life skills but have also ignited a deep passion for learning. Concurrently, I’ve conducted targeted interventions for children grappling with learning difficulties and ADHD, drawing upon my expertise to provide tailored support and foster their academic and personal growth.

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I am from Greece, and I speak Greek, English, and German.

Hi! I am Mattia and I have been working as an Occupational Therapist for over seven years. I live and work in Italy, where I am passionate about helping people regain autonomy and improve their quality of life through personalized, client-centered care.

I earned my degree in Occupational Therapy in 2017 from the University of Chieti, and in 2023 I completed a Master’s degree in Neurorehabilitation at Sapienza University of Rome. Over the years, I have developed strong expertise in supporting adult patients with neurological and orthopedic conditions.

More recently, I have also been working with children with specific learning disabilities and ADHD, creating tailored strategies to support their development both at school and in daily life. In my clinical practice, I use the CO-OP approach (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupation), which helps children build problem-solving skills to overcome everyday challenges and thrive in school-related tasks.

My professional focus includes activities of daily living training, school and parent consulting, fine and gross motor skills development, social-emotional regulation, mindfulness, and neurodevelopmental difficulties. I also integrate elements of art therapy into my treatment when appropriate.

My motto is: “There is always a way to do what we wish to do.”

Originally from Italy, I speak German, English, and Italian.

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