Natacha Henriquez

Hi there! My name is Natacha, and I’m currently finishing my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

Choosing to do my master’s degree at Erasmus was an easy decision to make because as a former student, I was already acquainted with the university’s lovely atmosphere. In addition, I love living and studying in Rotterdam, since this beautiful and dynamic city is also one of the most diverse cities in The Netherlands!

I’ve always enjoyed the process of delving deeply into a subject and I’m fascinated by how research can help increase our understanding about people, and by extension, about the world. I also find clinical practice particularly rewarding and I aspire to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to help and support other people, as they learn to help and support themselves. Because I have a shared passion for research and clinical practice, I decided to follow both the research and the clinical training tracks.

What I liked most about this master programme is that the courses are structured in a way that do not only encourage deep critical thinking but also stimulate personal reflection. I also appreciate how much emphasis was put on the importance of treating people as multi-faceted individuals, and not as a cluster of symptoms. For example, during several courses we got to hear individuals with particular disorders (e.g., psychosis and addiction) elaborate on the complexities of living with a mental illness. Some of my favourite moments during this programme include a lecture in which we participated in a short session of dance therapy and the movie nights in which we watched clinicians that specialise in the treatment of personality disorders apply different types of therapeutic techniques.

Regarding the practical trainings, in the research training track we learned to analyse statistical data using R, gained practical experience collecting EEG data and learned to programme experiments using E-prime. In the clinical training track, we got acquainted with several intervention skills and interviewing techniques which are relevant when working with couples and people who experience sexual problems and learned to apply several cognitive-behavioural techniques. I particularly enjoyed the role-plays of the clinical practical trainings, in which we practiced therapeutic skills with our peers, in a safe and encouraging environment.

All in all, during this master programme I gained knowledge and practical skills. But most importantly, I gained a better understanding of what type of psychologist I want to be and how I want to contribute to this field.