A story of member Sarvenaz Moini: on Becoming an Independent Coach and Therapist
This month, we spotlight Sarvenaz Moini — a newly independent coach and therapist. After years of working in youth protection, she took the leap to start her own practice, blending therapy and coaching into short, focused support.
Raised across countries, Sarvenaz brings a rare understanding of resilience, change, and belonging — a story that beautifully reflects what it means to follow your calling.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Sarvenaz Moini, I’m 35 years old, and I work as an independent coach and therapist. I’ve been active in the care sector for over a decade, mostly within (semi-)governmental organisations. Today, I offer short-term support through my own practice, combining therapy and coaching in ways that truly meet people where they are.
Can you tell us what you’re doing now?
I’m currently in the final phase of my training at the Dutch Academy for Psychotherapy. Alongside that, I work independently as a coach and therapist. In my practice, I offer short-term coaching and therapy programs that typically run between 5 to 10 sessions.
Therapy helps uncover old patterns and emotions that may be holding you back, while coaching focuses on taking actionable steps and making empowered choices for the future. By combining both, I create space for healing and growth. My approach is integrative — working from the inside out — and aims to align thought, emotion, and behavior in a way that truly supports long-term change.
What kind of clients do you work with?
I work with people who feel stuck — whether in their work, relationships, or inner world. Often, they’re searching for something to shift. I really enjoy working with people who are motivated to grow and open to exploring new perspectives. I feel most connected to those who are ready to take real steps toward change.
Do you have a specific niche you focus on?
Yes — I focus on preventive coaching for employees within organizations and businesses. When an employee begins to struggle or shows signs of stress, it’s almost always a lose-lose situation. For the employer, it creates challenges around capacity and finances. For the employee, their world often feels like it’s falling apart.
What if you sense something is wrong, but don’t have the time or tools to act?
That’s where I come in. Often, as a manager or team lead, you feel the situation developing — but the day-to-day rush makes it hard to address properly. I offer coaching trajectories that help prevent the situation from escalating. Because preventing employee burnout is always a win-win.
This support is also valuable during organizational change, rapid growth, or emotionally intense periods. Everyone experiences stress differently. By offering a professional trajectory, you acknowledge that and give your team space to reflect, reset, and move forward.
How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Iran and, during my childhood, moved between several countries. Those experiences were both enriching and challenging. Every move meant starting over — rebuilding connections and searching for a sense of belonging. It taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and human connection — all qualities that deeply influence how I work with clients today.
And how did your professional path unfold from there?
My experiences as a migrant sparked a deep interest in human psychology and emotional systems. I went on to study Applied Psychology and spent many years working in youth protection, including at Stichting Nidos. There, I supported young people facing highly complex and traumatic circumstances. That work gave me a profound understanding of systemic issues and intergenerational patterns.
Over time, I felt the call to work more personally and integratively — combining professional insight with emotional presence. Both my life and career have shown me how important it is to do work that energizes and fulfills you. Even if it requires taking risks or starting something new, investing in yourself is always worth it.
What was the moment you decided to start your own practice?
In 2020, I became a mother — and that brought a lot to the surface. I realized I wasn’t feeling like myself. The coaching and therapy I received during that time helped me break through patterns — and ultimately gave me the final push to start my own practice, so I can now support others in their own journeys.
That was the final push I needed. I realized I wanted to offer others the same space that had helped me so much. It felt like everything — my education, my work experience, my personal growth — was leading to this moment. That’s when I decided to become independent and start my own practice.
Why did you choose to start your practice at Stories?
I had been following Stories on Instagram for a while and something just clicked. I could feel that this was the kind of place where I wanted to start — somewhere warm, welcoming, and professional. When I finally decided to go for it, Stories made it feel easy.
As someone just starting out, I didn’t want a big, intimidating leap. Stories offers a low-threshold way to begin, without compromising on quality. The atmosphere, the design, the flexibility — it all just made sense. And knowing there’s a supportive community around me makes all the difference.
What advice would you give to other coaches or therapists who want to start their own practice?
Even though I haven’t been independent for very long, I can say this: if it feels like your passion — go for it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because that moment might never come. Starting is scary, but also incredibly rewarding. The moment you take the first step, change has already begun.
