De Vrijplaatscoach. Van Conflict naar Groei

Our Story De Vrijplaatscoach — branded as "De Conflictbevrijder van Nederland" — was founded by Alexandra van Smoorenburg (born 1963), a conflict liberation coach, trainer, and developer of the Vrijplaatsmethode (Vrijplaats Method) for conflict transformation. After a career as an exhibition maker, surviving domestic violence at age 29 led her to retrain and dedicate the last 25 years to helping individuals and professionals stuck in conflict within care and welfare (zorg en welzijn). Her mission is to resolve underlying inner conflict before addressing external communication tactics, enabling authentic reconnection and sustainable personal growth. She works from the premise that protection mechanisms sometimes overshoot their purpose, and that clients already possess deep knowledge of what they truly want. Programs & Trainings 🎓 Individual Conflict Coaching (Vrijplaatscoaching) — One-on-one sessions for people trapped in internal loops or difficult relationships, guiding them through the complete Vrijplaats Method trajectory from inner clarity to relational freedom. 🎓 Inner Conflict Track — Specialized coaching for those who feel something is internally misaligned yet cannot gain clarity, helping them step out of repetitive mental circles and restore inner calm. 🎓 Interpersonal Conflict Track — For clients experiencing circular conversations with another person, who adapt or shut down, and who need support to change a dynamic where currently nothing shifts. 🎓 Relational Conflict Track — For situations where both parties suffer, the tension becomes unbearable for the environment, and joint resolution is no longer achievable without external guidance. 🎓 Professional Training for Care & Welfare — Training designed for (creative) social professionals, social workers, neighborhood workers, and policy officers who spend their days helping others but risk getting stuck in their own inner or outer conflicts. 🎓 Vrijplaats Method: Hanteren (Handle) — Foundation phase teaching clients to see conflict clearly and communicate differently, aimed at restoring connection rather than winning the argument. 🎓 Vrijplaats Method: Benutten (Utilize) — Deepening phase that explores what lies beneath the conflict, revealing its meaning and message to foster genuine personal growth and self-knowledge. 🎓 Vrijplaats Method: Loslaten (Let Go) — Integration phase where the inner charge and struggle fall away, allowing clients to move more freely and authentically within their relationships. 🎓 Free Intake & Sparring Session ("Even sparren") — A complimentary 30-minute online conversation with no obligations to explore the client’s needs and determine the right next step. Specialties 🎯 Conflict transformation (conflicttransformatie) 🎯 Inner conflict resolution and emotional unburdening 🎯 Interpersonal communication restoration in care and welfare settings 🎯 Coaching for social professionals, social workers, and caregivers 🎯 Personal growth through the meaning and friction of conflict 🎯 Authentic connection and relational freedom Methods & Approach The Vrijplaatsmethode is an integrative, depth-first approach that postpones talk-based resolution until the client has first "tuned their own instrument." Rather than stopping at communication skills such as active listening and I-messages, the method penetrates the undercurrent (onderstroom) and meaning of the conflict. It assumes that protection mechanisms have overshot their purpose and that the client already knows deep down what they want. By recognizing and discharging the underlying inner conflict, the client naturally handles situations more authentically, utilizes the conflict for growth, and lets go of inner struggle. Who It's For (creative) social professionals and caregivers in health and welfare (zorg en welzijn); social workers; neighborhood workers; policy officers; individuals caught in repetitive internal dialogue; people experiencing unresolved tension with colleagues or partners; pairs or teams stuck in mutual conflict; and professionals who believe they should solve conflicts alone. Suitable for beginners in coaching and experienced helpers seeking depth beyond standard communication training. Facilities & Practical Info Coaching sessions are held at KW9, Kromme Waal 9, 1011 BS Amsterdam. Training sessions take place at Het Coachhuis, Binnenkant 24, 1011 AX Amsterdam. Online coaching is available, including the free 30-minute introductory meeting booked via Cal.com. Services are delivered in Dutch. Business registration: KvK 537 49 375; VAT: NL 0018 3298 5B95. Location Address: Bickersgracht 272, 1013 LH Amsterdam, Netherlands Hours: See website for schedule. The "+" ✅ Depth-first methodology that resolves inner conflict before communication tactics, preventing relapse into old behavioral patterns. ✅ 25 years of specialized experience in the care and welfare sector with an explicit focus on (creative) social professionals. ✅ Proprietary Vrijplaatsmethode offering a clear three-phase progression: Handle, Utilize, and Let Go. ✅ Lived experience ("ervaringsdeskundige") bringing authentic empathy, particularly around trauma, conflict avoidance, and domestic violence recovery. ✅ Free 30-minute online introductory session available to assess needs without obligation.