Ilkana Yusifova

Sometimes your body tells a story that your mind has not yet found the words to express.

Welcome! My name is Ilkana Yusifova - Van den Berg. I am an integrative psychosocial therapist, coach, and orthomolecular therapist with a cPNI-based approach, based in Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht.

At my practice, EmpowerU, I look beyond the symptoms. Body and mind are deeply interconnected. Stress can make itself felt in your gut. 

A traumatic experience can continue to affect your nervous system years later. And experiences related to fertility, pregnancy, or birth can have a lasting impact.

That is why I look at your whole story: what you have experienced, what you feel, how your body responds, and which patterns keep returning.

Trauma, PTSD & Recovery

An important part of my work is supporting people with trauma and PTSD. Difficult or overwhelming experiences can manifest as anxiety, tension, avoidance, physical symptoms, or the feeling of constantly being “on” or alert.

Using approaches such as EMDR, Brainspotting, and hypnotherapy, we work towards restoring a sense of safety, trust, and connection.

Where New Life Begins

I am particularly fascinated by the beginning of life: the desire to have a child, conception, pregnancy, birth, and our earliest experiences of attachment.

I support women, men, and couples with fertility and the journey towards parenthood, as well as with the emotional impact of fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, pregnancy, traumatic childbirth, and trauma surrounding pregnancy and birth.

Even when the beginning has been difficult, there can be space for attachment repair, renewed connection, and a fresh start.

The Fascinating Gut–Brain Connection

Another major area of interest for me is the connection between the gut and the brain—a field in which I continue to deepen my knowledge through ongoing education.

When working with IBS and other gastrointestinal complaints, I draw on both my psychosocial and orthomolecular background to explore the possible interplay between the gut, nervous system, stress, emotions, nutrition, and lifestyle.

This does not mean assuming that every physical symptom is psychological. Rather, it means recognising that body and mind are in constant communication.

Depending on your individual needs, I work with approaches including EMDR, Brainspotting, hypnotherapy, ACT, EFT couples therapy, the Fertile Body Method, HeartMath, and orthomolecular therapy according to kPNI.

You are welcome to contact me for support with trauma and PTSD, anxiety, stress and burnout, IBS and gastrointestinal complaints, fertility and the journey towards parenthood, pregnancy and birth trauma, chronic or psychosomatic complaints, relationship difficulties, and personal development.

You don't need to know which type of therapy you need.

You only need to know that you want something to change.

We start with your story and explore together what you need to experience more calm, connection, and confidence.

Not just fewer symptoms. More space to live.