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Maandag 10:00 - 21:00 Dinsdag 10:00 - 21:00 Woensdag 10:00 - 21:00 Donderdag 10:00 - 21:00 Vrijdag 10:00 - 18:00 Zaterdag 11:00 - 16:00 Zondag 16:00 - 21:00

Vassia Sar, Schipholweg 103, Leiden (2026)

23/12/2025

When your anxiety wants certainty...
When your anxiety wants to fix one more (real or imaginary) problem...
When your anxiety wants you to be perfectly prepared for ALL worst-case scenarios...

But the moment one problem is fixed another appears.
And you're constantly on alert.

But your nervous system needs trust.
The quiet knowing that you can meet what comes, even when you don't have all the details yet.

I've just released my 6th track on exploring the shift from to .

A short reminder that you are more capable than what your mind lets you believe.

🎧 Listen here https://insig.ht/MK4WhIspkZb

With warmth and trust,

Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle
Specialised in Recovery & Healing from Anxiety

22/12/2025

Christmas is often described as the season of joy, togetherness, and celebration.
And for some people, it truly is.

But for many others, it’s a season that feels… mixed. Tender. Quiet. Different from what it used to be.

Not everyone arrives at Christmas feeling light. Some arrive tired. Some arrive grieving. Some arrive far from home, or carrying more than they can easily name.

If this season feels heavier for you, please know this: you are not doing Christmas wrong. You are simply meeting it from where you are.

A few gentle reminders that might help you move through these days with more care:
▶️ Try not to compare your inside with other people’s highlight reels. If social media makes the loneliness louder, it is okay to step away.
▶️ You are allowed to change your mind about plans, even at the last moment.
▶️ What you are feeling is not permanent, even if it feels intense right now.
▶️ And whatever emotions show up, let them be there. Feeling is not weakness. It is care.

You are allowed to celebrate quietly.
Or not celebrate at all.
You are allowed to feel joy and grief in the same breath.
This is not your whole life. It is just a moment in it.
And you are not alone, even if it feels that way right now.

With bravery and vulnerability,
Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of
AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle
Specialised in Recovering from Burnout & Healing the Wound

17/12/2025

As the year comes to an end, many high achievers feel something quietly unsettling.

You look back and realise you did everything right.
You worked hard. You showed up. You met expectations.
And yet, something feels off.

Not because you failed.
But because so many of your decisions were shaped by what was expected of you, not by what truly mattered to you.
This is something I see again and again in my work with burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism.

People are not exhausted because they care too much.
They are exhausted because they have been living by standards instead of values.
Before we rush into new goals, new habits, new pressure for 2026, there is a more important question worth asking:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁?

Not what looks good on paper.
Not what others approve of.
But what feels honest, grounding, and true for you.
Maybe the most powerful way to start a new year
is not by pushing harder,
but by choosing more consciously.
Let this question stay with you.

In January, I will be hosting a free live workshop called The Year You Choose Yourself.
It is a pause.
A reset.
A moment to reconnect with your inner compass before another year begins.
I hope to see you there. Sign up here: https://academy.vassiasar.com/the-year-you-choose-yourself

With bravery and vulnerability,
Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of
AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle
Specialised in Recovering from Burnout & Healing the Wound

16/12/2025

🥹It takes courage to leave your country and start over in a new one.

To build a life from scratch - new language, new systems, new sense of belonging.

💪🏻It takes courage to leave the corporate world and pursue your own path as an entrepreneur.

Walking away from security and stepping into uncertainty, responsibility and self-trust is not easy.

🎖️It takes courage to keep trying and stay in the game, in the face of rejection, disappointment, and setbacks, and not give up your dreams and passions.

Over the years, I've met so many people who faced life with courage.

Expats.

Career changers.

Entrepreneurs.

Therapy clients.

Over-caring high achievers who were quietly battling with trauma, burnout, and fear.

Therapists that checked all the above boxes.

Not only have I admired them deeply, but they inspired me immensely.

They've made me braver, too.

And here's what I've learned:

👉 Courage is not something you’re born with.

👉 Bravery is not a personality trait.

👉 Confidence is not reserved for the lucky few.

Courage is a conviction.

A daily practice.

It's the permission you give to yourself to take one step forward - even when you're scared.

📢This is exactly what my upcoming workshop is about.

📅On February 16th, at Equals in Amsterdam, I’m hosting:

“Braver Than You Think. Move Past Fear. Step Into Your Power”

This workshop is for you if:

*You feel stuck between who you are and who you want to become

*Fear is quietly holding you back from your next step

*You’re tired of overthinking, self-doubt, and playing small

*You want practical tools to build courage from the inside out

You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more ready to step into your next phase...
..even if right now, it still scares you.

👉 Link to join here: https://luma.com/xm9p346v

(only 5 tickets left for the Early Bird ticket)

You are braver than you think.

And you don’t have to do this alone.

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle

Specialised in Recovering from & Healing Perfectionism

15/12/2025

How did I miss that day?

It was a month ago (yes, I know, a bit late😅, but' it's been brewing in my head every day since then) when it was World Kindness Day, and I was invited to present "Kindness at Work: The Hidden SuperPower of High-Performing Teams" for Fujitsu through the Helping Hand - Mental Health Program.

And this is a day that I shouldn't miss.

Not only because kindness at work is often misunderstood as:

*softness or weakness (bending over backwards when people keep pushing for more)

*people-pleasing (sacrificing personal boundaries and needs)

*conditional (kindness offered only AFTER results are achieved)

But also because kindness has always been deeply connected to for me.

I grew up being bullied.

And I knew that the bullies didn't choose to be bullies.

They became so because of trauma, neglect, and abuse.

But the people who are truly mentally strong aren't always the loudest, toughest or most dominant ones.

They are the ones who can stay kind and compassionate without abandoning their boundaries.

If people were mentally stronger, the world would be a kinder, better and safer place to live in - and that was my motivation to become a therapist.

And that's what I also see in organisations:

A kind leader is NOT someone who avoids difficult conversations, says yes to everything or stays late to finish other people's tasks.

A kind leader:

-Addresses mistakes with curiosity instead of fear

-Models respect, especially under pressure

-Creates psychological safety, so people dare to speak up

Kindness doesn't lower standards.

It RAISES the quality of connection, trust and collaboration.

Maybe we don't need more " training".

Maybe we need more kindness with clarity, and courage.

💭What does kindness look like in your experience?

🙏🏻Special thanks to the Helping Hand - Mental Health Program team for the invitation and the ongoing collaboration, and Fujitsu for the openness to explore kindness and boundaries and create a safer and more human workplace culture.

And remember:

😇Be kind to yourself; be kind to your mind; be kind to your team.

With warmth,

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle

Specialised in Recovering from & Healing Perfectionism

11/12/2025

If you think that Hollywood stars and the most brilliant human rights lawyers on the planet don't struggle with perfectionism, you are so wrong.

And by perfectionism, I mean the quiet battles so many of us fight:

-chronic self-doubt

-harsh self-comparison

-the fear of being "found out"

-hiding parts of ourselves out of embarrassment and shame of who we are (or we are not)

Recently, a story came out about George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin Clooney that touched me deeply🥹 :

George confessed he'd secretly feared Amal would outgrow him intellectually, that she had settled for a charming husband, while she could answer their kids' questions in 3 languages, while he couldn't even know the right answer in his own.

For that, he'd been reading international law journals at night, out of fear he wouldn't be for her.

At the same time, Amal has felt inadequate in a completely different way: she saw George as socially gifted, able to light up a room with ease, something that she has struggled with her whole life.

🎭And that's how we end up hiding ourselves, out of fear we will be seen as "too little".

Wanna know how we self-adjust due to ?

1. We compare our weaknesses to someone else's strengths.

Perfectionists NEVER compare fairly.

George measured himself against Amal's intellect; Amal measured herself against George's social charisma.

While dismissing, downplaying or even ingoring their own gifts.

2. We build narratives and scary scenarios of in our heads.

None of them reveal the battles they fight behind closed doors to each other for a long time.

3. We assume everyone else is confident while we are the ones struggling.

Perfectionism is the coping mechanism of Overcompensation: we work hard to present ourselves as , exactly BECAUSE (and not despite) we are feeling insecure inside us and we want to conceal it really well from the external world.

One day George and Amal broke that wall.

Amal read George's interview when he talked about his insecurities, and they talked for 3 hours.

A talk deep into vulnerability and .

And they creates a ritual every perfectionist could benefit from:

once a month, a moment to share with one another a fear or insecurity, with zero judgment.

If two of the most admired people in the world can feel "not enough," it tells us one thing:

Perfectionism doesn’t care about your SUCCESS.

It cares about your FEARS.

😇Be kind to yourself; be kind to your mind.

With warmth,

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle

Specialised in Recovering from & Healing the Perfectionism Wound

11/12/2025

You’re not antisocial - you’re probably 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁.
When your nervous system is in survival mode, even spending time with friends can feel like too much.
Your brain is just trying to protect your limited energy - not turn you into a loner.
But here’s the hopeful part: once you start recovering, connection becomes one of your biggest sources of healing.
Here’s how to begin finding your way back - gently.

✨ 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.
You don’t need big social events.
Begin with low-pressure interactions with people who make you feel calm and accepted.
Connection should recharge you, not drain you.

✨ 𝟮. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 “𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀.”
short “connection breaks.”
A 10-minute call, a voice note, a short walk with a colleague.
Micro-moments remind your brain that not all connection is exhausting; some is energizing.

✨ 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Rest, walk, journal, breathe. Even 5–10% more energy makes socializing feel lighter.
Remember: isolation isn’t who you are - it’s how your burnout protects you.
Once you start to refill your energy, connection will feel natural again.

💛 You don’t need to “be social.” You just need to feel safe enough to connect.

➡️ Download my free guide with the hidden burnout symptoms here: https://vassiasar.kit.com/burnout-symptoms

With bravery and vulnerability,
Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of
AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle
Specialised in Recovering from Burnout & Healing the Wound

09/12/2025

🤔 "How are values different from the goals we set every year?"💭

That was one of my favourite questions from the audience at my workshop "Rethinking Resolutions: Setting Intentions for a Meaningful New Year" during the Volunteer The Hague Fair last week - and it really stayed with me.

Here’s how I answered:

1️⃣ Values are directions, not destinations.

If "Health" is one of your values, you live it daily: by choosing nourishing food, going for a walk, or checking in with your body. You don’t fail if you miss one workout or eat a croissant; you’re still moving in the direction of Health.

Goals add pressure, but values give freedom.

2️⃣ Values bring intention and meaning.

We often set goals because they’re popular or expected: "lose 10 kilos," "start journaling," "read 20 books," "sign up to the gym."

But why do these matter for you?

When you’re clear about why these matter, you stop chasing trends and start creating a life that actually feels right for you.

I’m still buzzing from all the amazing conversations and the warm energy at the event!

🙏🏻A big thank-you to the Volunteer The Hague team for hosting such a vibrant day, to my wonderful colleagues Erin Frobenius and Zoi Mylona - Mental health counsellor / Family counsellor for joining me at the AntiLoneliness booth, and to everyone who stopped by, listened, asked questions, and shared their stories. 💛

Until next time, keep moving toward what matters, not just what’s measurable.

With warmth and gratitude,

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Psychologist | Perfectionism & Burnout Specialist | Founder of AntiLoneliness & The Therapy Business Circle.

03/12/2025

“I want to be better than yesterday… Every. Single. Day.

I don't see what's wrong with that.

But when I have a bad day, I feel defeated.

How can I grow every day?”

A client asked me this recently, and I know many silently carry the same fear.

We love 💛 the idea of constant improvement:

becoming wiser, stronger, calmer, more productive… daily.

And when life cooperates, it almost feels possible.

But then a bad day arrives:

😵‍💫 A foggy mind.

💤A drained body.

😨A wave of self-doubt.

🧗🏻 A simple task that suddenly feels like climbing a mountain.

And that loves drama turns this vulnerable moment into the usual self-flagellation:

"You’re slipping."

"You’re falling behind."

"You should be doing better."

But here’s the truth (one I’ve seen again and again in my work with , -prone professionals, and in my own life):

Growth is not a straight line.

And "bad days" are not the opposite of growth - they are PART of it.

Some days you grow through clarity and progress.

Other days you grow through gentleness, rest, and staying connected to yourself when your energy is low.

Wanna know what are the 2 TIPS I use with myself and my clients in order to silence this self-doubt during bad days?

Then check my new Insight Timer track:

🟡 "Growing... Even on the Bad Days"

A short, grounded reminder that you’re still evolving, even when life feels messy, slow, or heavy.

👉 Listen here: https://insig.ht/VMrzh7oDNYb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_share

If you’re having one of those days, please remember:

You are not failing.

You are human.

And you are growing in ways you can’t always measure.

With warmth and kindness (even on the bad days),

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Psychologist | Perfectionism & Burnout Specialist | Founder of AntiLoneliness & The Therapy Business Circle.

02/12/2025

Why do we use perfectionism to avoid our own potential?
Because perfectionism feels safer than progress.

Here are three reasons I see again and again in high achievers:

𝟭. 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲
If you never finish, you can never be judged.
Delaying keeps you “safe.”

𝟮. 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
You try to make your work likable for everyone.
In the process, you lose your authenticity and your voice.

𝟯. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲
You delay because you believe you need one more course, one more year, one more certification before you are allowed to take up space.

Perfectionism becomes a shield.
But that shield becomes your cage.
You stay in the “almost ready” zone.
You stay in potential instead of experiencing progress.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻.

With bravery and vulnerability,
Vassia Sarantopoulou
Head Psychologist - Founder of
AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle
Specialised in Recovering from Burnout & Healing the Wound

27/11/2025

Why does the academic world expect researchers to leave their stresses and worries at the door as if it only wants their productivity, not their humanity?🤔

Last Saturday I was invited by the Association of Spanish Researchers in the Netherlands CENL Científicos Españoles - Países Bajos, led by Carla Rios Arceo and Alberto Gil Jiménez, PhD in order to present the workshop:

"The Psychology of High Performance: Balancing Ambition with Mental Health"

Over 30 highly-skilled, talented researchers

…living far away from home,

…navigating a new language, a new system, a new culture,

…and still expected to perform at the highest level, without ever showing strain.

And here’s what many researchers shared in our workshop:

✨ “I don’t set boundaries because I will not be heard.”

✨ “I don't know how to slow down.”

✨ “I don’t ask for help because I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

✨ “I overwork to prove I deserve to be here.”

✨ “I’m exhausted, but it feels like I should push harder, not pause.”

These aren’t just external stressors.

These are internal stressors: the hidden drivers that intensify burnout:

🔹

🔹 guilt

🔹 fear of not being enough

🔹 over-responsibility

🔹 hyper-independence (“I should handle this alone”)

🔹 difficulty saying the simplest word: no

And this is exactly what we explored in the workshop.

I loved this community because it is... a community.

Some of them heard for the first time that there are others struggling with the same challenges.

And that was already relieving.

And then we got practical: how to manage and regulate an overloaded when the external expectations accummulate, but before it turns to a .

To everyone who showed up on that cold Saturday afternoon:

🙏🏻Thank you for your openness, your engagement, your laughter, and your courage to talk about the things academia rarely gives space for.

Your is not a luxury.

It’s the foundation of your long-term professional growth.

👉🏻If you are Spanish and you want to become part of this vibrant and inclusive community, please join here: https://www.cenetherlands.nl/en/become-a-member/

Albert and Carla will guide you and make you feel more than welcome 💛

💪🏻Here’s to building a healthier, more humane, more sustainable culture of high performance.

One honest conversation at a time. 🌿

With warmth and bravery,

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Head Psychologist - Founder of AntiLoneliness and The Therapy Business Circle

Specialised in Recovering from Burnout & Healing Perfectionism

Vassia Sar

23/12/2025

22/12/2025

17/12/2025

16/12/2025

15/12/2025

11/12/2025

11/12/2025

09/12/2025

03/12/2025

02/12/2025

27/11/2025

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