What if the behavior itself isn’t actually the problem? What if it’s protecting something underneath?
In this masterclass, Marjolein Dop-Bakker invites you to look beyond behavior and explore what may be happening underneath. Her starting point is that every child is born with a primary protection system. It isn’t learned or chosen, but shapes how a child responds to tension, conflict and connection.
As adults, we have our own protection system too. And sometimes those two systems collide in ways that are difficult to understand. Even when both parent and child are trying their best.
Understanding these patterns can change the way you look at difficult moments. Instead of only asking “How do we stop this behavior?”, you begin to recognize what may be protected underneath it and what can actually help when different protection systems trigger each other.
For professionals, it offers another perspective to bring into your work with parents and children. And if you’re a parent yourself, it can help you understand both your child’s reactions and your own in a different way.
What you’ll take away
During this 90-minute masterclass, you’ll discover:
where the primary protection system originates
how it works and what the different systems are
how to recognise your own protection system
how two systems can trigger each other without anyone doing anything wrong
what can actually help when that happens
Practical, recognisable and immediately applicable. Whether you’re a parent yourself, a professional working with parents and children or both.
About Marjolein
Marjolein Dop-Bakker is the founder of Franky Fearless. She works with parents and children from the belief that behaviour is always protection, and that real change only becomes possible once you understand what is being protected. Her work helps parents move away from being pulled into every conflict or second-guessing every response. Instead of focusing on correcting their child, they learn to understand and guide them, creating space for connection to return. Her approach combines systemic insights from the enneagram with inner work and emotion therapy (The Journey), and grew from her own experience and feelings of helplessness as a mother.
Please note: this masterclass will be held in Dutch. English-speaking members who are comfortable following Dutch are very welcome to join. Questions and contributions can of course be shared in English.