Jacobien coached me for several months in deciding a suitable career path. As a coach, Jacobien is a great listener, she really gives you 100% of her attention. In addition, her ability to make connections out of different aspects of one’s life is fascinating. Several times during our coaching sessions, she drew my attention to certain behavioral patterns of which I was not aware. This helped me tremendously as awareness is the first step towards change. Further, Jacobien is very clear on one aspect: she does not make the decisions for you, she creates an environment of learning which allows her trainees to draw their own conclusions. In the beginning of our coaching sessions I struggled with this view due to a lack of confidence in my own decision-making abilities. Looking back at it, I’m very thankful that Jacobien persisted because the skills I learned during those sessions, I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career.
Coachee Jolvie – student-assistant RUG Psychology
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I met Jacobien during my Bachelor programme in psychology at the University of Groningen. She was my trainer in courses Communication & Diagnostic Skills, Dynamic Skills in Groups and Teaching Skills. In addition, she coached me in my role as an instructor of communication skills. What is more, during my Master programme, I participated in Jacobien’s Coaching course where she trained me again.
As a trainer, Jacobien is very well organized and prepares her sessions well. She can always make her trainees interested in topics discussed during classes. She motivates them to meet their learning goals. Jacobien is very successful in handling different groups of trainees and various situations. She shows to be flexible. What is more, she uses her knowledge and coaching experience to guide her trainees and take their individual needs into account.
As a coach, Jacobien lets the coachee talk freely and occasionally asks open questions, paraphrases, and reflects meaning. She shows to be a non-judgemental listener, however, she can also confront the client if necessary. She cares a lot about the client’s well-being while being focused on progress and reaching coachee’s goals. The atmosphere during meetings was always relaxed and I felt comfortable opening up. What is more, the coaching sessions with Jacobien resulted in long term effects. Not only I became a more flexible teacher and focused on students’ needs but also I became less worried and more satisfied with other performance related activities.
To sum up, Jacobien is very motivated, responsible and professional, with a great eye for detail. She is a kind and warm person who can also handle challenging situations.
Coachee & trainee Hania – trainer RUG Psychology
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Jacobien trained me to become a coach and to further develop my coaching skills. She smiled at us and asked ‘How are you?’. That is how Jacobien began each training session. I am glad about having experienced the positive effect of someone being interested in people next to in what they were expected to prepare. Her most valuable ingredient: trust. Jacobien’s way of training united learning by doing and communicating at eye level with the message ‘approach me in case you need me, I am available’. Her positivity and sincere passion for what she does was inspiring and made me feel valued individually in midst of the whole group. Through entrusting to challenge myself to me, she made me stepping out of my comfort zone and enjoying what I am doing. Thanks to Jacobien’s approach to training, I now perceive mistakes as an opportunity and experience that being authentic and truly interested in someone can only lead to self-confidence for me as a coach and to personal progress for any future client.”
Trainee Aline – student-assistant RUG Psychology
