Douglas W. Holwerda
With a master’s in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle, I’ve practiced psychotherapy since 1996 and have been based in Hanoi, Vietnam, since 2011.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST / AUTHOR / SPEAKER
" The most direct experience of living is through our body. Being present happens when our senses are activated, and our actions relate directly and intimately to the world around us. There is a lot that can prevent us from being fully present as we go through life. (p.123)
– Douglas Holwerda,
Living From Inside Out book
Psychotherapist
My practice focuses on supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, relationship issues, anger, and the complexities of cultural adjustment and midlife. More fundamentally, I help clients explore essential questions of meaning and purpose. I believe therapy is a critical journey of self-discovery leading to acceptance, a journey that ultimately brings relief from suffering.
Speaker
As a speaker, I bring years of experience leading discussions on key psychological topics. Whether facilitating an intimate dialogue or presenting core ideas to a large digital audience, my focus remains the same: creating a dynamic, accessible, and inclusive space for learning and exploration. I am available for both in-person and virtual engagements.
Author
Beyond my work as a psychotherapist and public speaker, I extend my insights through writing across various platforms. My articles and essays appear in both digital publications and print journals, allowing me to share complex ideas on mental wellness and personal growth with a wider audience.
Artist
My approach to art is centered on unstructured play and exploration. As an artist, I value instinct over expertise, choosing to remain unpracticed to preserve spontaneity. I find my flow state primarily through the tactile joy of manipulating paint, vibrant oil pastels, and colored pencils across the paper. Each session starts with a blank canvas and a quiet mind, allowing the materials themselves to dictate the direction of the work.
Living From the Inside Out — Part One: Begin Within
Living From the Inside Out, Part One “Begin Within” invites readers on a reflective journey inward to listen, observe, and understand what our inner world reveals about who we truly are. Through exploring the interplay of emotions, the body, and thought, the book guides readers toward deeper self-awareness and authentic connection with the self.
In a world that often pulls our attention outward, this book serves as a reminder to return home to ourselves to the place where understanding, healing, and growth truly begin. Written in a grounded and accessible way, Living From the Inside Out offers insights that help you recognize how your inner life shapes the way you live, feel, and relate to the world.
-Douglas Holwerda
O1
Creative
Play Residency
Creative Play Residence is a vibrant and intentional community based in Hoi An, Vietnam. Here, we live by what we value most. Together, we’ve crafted a lifestyle that celebrates creativity, improvisation, connection within the community and to the natural world. We believe that living cooperatively in a supportive and joyful environment provides each of us with the safety, encouragement, and inspiration to live creatively from the inside out.
O2
