About me

Hi, I’m Kate!

In my early twenties, some 10+ years ago, I moved from Bulgaria to The Netherlands to study statistics. I married, graduated, started work, bought a house, and started to see the world beyond mathematics. My ignorance for the alpha sciences kicked in with full force through marriage life, so I started buying psychology books. But it was only after our first son was born that it fully sunk in to me that I have some patterns to relate to life that were no longer as helpful. Some parenting books on, and a full year of COVID lockdowns with working from home while babysitting, got me into seeking support. From workshops, through courses, to personal development programs and coaching. Hopping from one to the next for three years, never really finding the key to inner harmony. Yet, I had seen a lot and gathered a full toolbox. Although I had left my scientific career after three-years of part-time PhD-ing, my passion with science stayed with me. So, I augmented my spiritual and psychological knowledge with popular neuroscience and sat down to write what works for me, what helps me, and that became the SafeWithin® method. Writing down my insights helped me to see patterns, structure, seek deeper understanding of topics that emerged, and practice intentionally.

Initially, the knowledge of myself (my triggers, fears, doubts, beliefs) brought more vulnerability to light, which was previously covered with anger. Vulnerability is a scary thing when you grew up in a family of strong, independent, high achievers, who suppressed your anger and fear, and always expected more. Yet, I could see that expressing vulnerability brought me closer to my son, while lashing out in anger only made him scared and distant. The motivation was there: I didn’t want to lose the connection with my son, nor my spouse. The positive example was also there: showing vulnerability brought them closer. And then, the question emerged: how do we feel what we feel in a constructive way that supports connection and healing?

I could feel when I was in the coaching session; I could feel during the personal development course in the presence of caring others. Why couldn’t I feel when I get emotional with my dears at home? I couldn’t feel because it was overwhelming, because I was not able to accept what was going on inside me, because I could not offer it support and holding. It was unsafe for my true feelings to come to me, as I would quickly and harshly judge them. 

With time and effort, inspiration came, and the questions received answers. Every challenge brought insights and (super)powers, developing further the SafeWithin® method. By the time I was pregnant with our second son, it was clear to me that my passion had shifted from mathematics and understanding the world through mathematics to relationships and understanding each other. So that on the 10th of February 2024 I made the promise to some dear friends and myself that I will devote the rest of my life to helping myself and others regain their colour and flourish. 

Let’s grow safer, together!