Team
Spira Centrum was founded by four youth care professionals. Our treatment team consists of behavioural specialists, educational psychologists and practitioners who work together on a single plan.

Sera Kersten
Behaviour therapist
My name is Sera and I have been working as a registered behaviour therapist for five years. I do my work with a great deal of enjoyment and passion. What appeals to me most about my profession is that every client is unique and therefore needs a personal approach.
Together with clients I work on their development, behaviour and skills. I find it special to see them grow step by step, learn new things and gain more and more confidence in themselves. Sometimes it is small changes that end up making a big difference in daily life.
It gives me great satisfaction to treat and support clients and the people around them in this. I think it is important to work together in an engaged, patient and positive way, so that clients feel at ease and can develop as well as possible.

Valeria Mendes Pereira
Psychologist
My name is Valeria and I have worked as a psychologist for more than 20 years. From the very start of my training, working with children has always held a special place in my professional career. Throughout my career I have helped children, young people and their families through psychological treatment, psychological assessment and diagnostic trajectories.
In my current work I also focus on treating children and young people with a migration background. In doing so I take account not only of their emotional and behavioural needs, but also of their personal history, family background and the cultural context in which they live.
My way of working is based on behaviour therapy approaches, while recognising that every child is unique. I therefore try to respect each child's individual pace, boundaries, needs and strengths. I create a safe environment in which children can express themselves, develop new skills and be understood, apart from their difficulties.
Even after so many years in this profession, my work remains deeply meaningful to me. I greatly value being able to follow each child's development and to work with them and their families on paths that promote wellbeing, independence and self-confidence.

Gabrielle de Figueiredo
Psychologist and clinical supervisor
My name is Gabrielle and I am a psychologist and clinical supervisor with more than 15 years of experience working with children, young people, adults and families.
What I value most in my work is understanding each person as an individual. Development and behaviour never stand on their own: they are connected to emotions, relationships, communication, culture and the environment around us. That is why I believe help should always be personal, flexible and meaningful for daily life.
In my work I combine evidence-based psychological approaches with naturalistic and play-based interventions. I especially enjoy helping children and families develop communication, emotion regulation, independence and self-confidence, in a way that feels safe and achievable.
At Spira Centrum I also support our team from a clinical perspective, helping to make sure that the care we provide stays well considered, consistent and tailored to each client and each family.
How we work as a team
The behavioural specialist analyses complex behavioural questions and decides with parents and school which approach fits. Educational psychologists and practitioners carry out the treatment plan and track progress.
Where needed we work with other disciplines, for example speech and language therapy. That happens in consultation with the family and the referrer.
What we ask of ourselves
We invest continuously in intercultural skills, language, and knowledge of Dutch youth care and the regulation around it. Our professionals work under supervision and with peer review, and the quality of treatment is assessed periodically.
Professional registrations for our practitioners will be listed on this page once they are complete.
Questions about who will treat your child?
At the intake you meet the professional who will carry out the trajectory.
