What does a life coach in Amsterdam actually do?

A life coach helps you find clarity on what you want. As a life coach in Amsterdam, I work with you to identify the patterns holding you back, build genuine confidence, and create practical change that lasts. Sessions are practical and forward-focused: We don't dwell on the past, we work on where you want to go and what's getting in the way.

What is the difference between life coaching and therapy?

Coaching is not therapy, and a good coach will be clear about that. In general: Therapy often focuses more on diagnosis, healing, and mental health treatment Coaching focuses more on goals, behavior change, and building skills for the future There can be overlap. But coaching is typically action oriented and present to future focused. If you are dealing with severe depression, trauma symptoms, or crisis situations, therapy is the right first step. If you are functioning but stuck, overwhelmed, doubting yourself, or repeating the same patterns, coaching can be a strong fit.

How is your approach different from other life coaches in Amsterdam?

I'm a Licensed Master Practitioner of NLP, a certified Co-active coach, and a published author on the psychology of confidence. I work specifically with internationals and expats in Amsterdam, in English, Spanish, and Italian, and I bring over 15 years of experience in international environments. My sessions are very practical. I work on real behavioural change, not just insight.

How much does life coaching in Amsterdam cost?

Pricing depends on what you need to work on and the depth of the coaching journey, so there's no one-size-fits-all package. For a full overview of my current packages and pricing, visit my pricing page .

Do you offer life coaching for expats & internationals in Amsterdam in English?

Yes. All sessions are available in English, Spanish, and Italian. For expats and internationals in Amsterdam, working in the language where you think most clearly makes a real difference when the topics are personal.

I'm an expat in Amsterdam feeling lost or disconnected. Can coaching help?

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons international clients in Amsterdam reach out. Relocating to a new country, even an exciting one, often brings a quiet loss of identity, social roots, and a sense of belonging. Coaching gives you a structured space to understand what's shifted, reconnect with what you actually want, and build a life in Amsterdam that feels genuinely yours.

Amsterdam is overwhelming. Can coaching help me slow down and find clarity?

Absolutely. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most intense cities to live in, high rents, social pressure, a culture that rewards busyness, and the constant sense that everyone else has figured it out. Many of my clients come precisely because they're tired of keeping up and want to understand what they actually need. Coaching creates the space that Amsterdam rarely gives you on its own.

I've just moved to Amsterdam and I don't know anyone. Is that something we can work on?

Yes. Social isolation in a new city, even a lively one, is real and takes a toll on confidence, motivation, and sense of self. We can work on this directly: what's holding you back from building connections, what you need to feel at home.

Do you offer in-person coaching sessions in Amsterdam?

Yes. I offer both in-person and online sessions. For Amsterdam clients, we can meet in person in my studio in the centre of Amsterdam or work fully online, whichever fits your schedule and preference.

Can I fit coaching into a busy Amsterdam schedule?

Yes, flexibility is built into how I work. Sessions can be scheduled in the evenings or online during lunch breaks, or in the weekends. Most Amsterdam clients are working professionals who integrate coaching into their week without disruption. Online sessions make this particularly straightforward.

How long does a coaching trajectory last?

Most clients work with me for 3 to 6 months, with bi-weekly sessions. We always start with a free intake call, no commitment, just a conversation about your situation and what kind of support makes the most sense for you.

Is there a free first session?

Yes. I always start with a free intake call. It's not a sales pitch, it's a genuine conversation to understand where you are, what you want to change, and whether my approach is the right fit for you. You decide after that, with no pressure.

I struggle with self-confidence. Can a life coach help with that?

Confidence is one of the areas I specialise in. I am a published author on the subject. Real confidence isn't about feeling brave all the time. It grows when your actions consistently match your values, and when you stop abandoning yourself to keep other people comfortable. Coaching gives you the understanding and the tools to build that, step by step.

I overthink everything and can't make decisions. Is that something coaching addresses?

Yes, overthinking is one of the most common patterns I work with. It usually isn't a thinking problem: it's a trust problem. You don't trust your own judgment, so you keep gathering more information, more opinions, more scenarios. Coaching helps you understand why that pattern exists and how to make decisions with more clarity and less paralysis.

What if I don't even know what I want? Can coaching still help?

That's often exactly where we start. Not knowing what you want is not a character flaw, it's usually the result of years of making choices based on what others expected, what seemed sensible, or what you thought you should want. Coaching helps you separate your own voice from all the noise and reconnect with what actually matters to you.

A LIFE COACH
TO GET YOUR HAPPINESS
AND MOTIVATION BACK

Schedule free introduction

LIFE COACH AMSTERDAM

Member of NOBCO – Dutch Association of Professional Coaches

LIFE COACH AMSTERDAM

Member of NOBCO – Dutch Association of Professional Coaches

Sometimes your brain gets trapped doing the same things over and over, like worrying too much, feeling scared, or always trying to make everyone happy until you feel really tired. Your brain has two parts. One part thinks and makes decisions. But the other part runs everything without you even noticing. It is the part that is actually in charge of almost everything you do. Most people try to fix their problems by talking to the first part. But the real changes happen in the second part. It is like knowing you want to draw a rainbow, but not having any crayons. You know what you want. You just don’t have the right tools yet. I want to give you those tools.

My name is Daniela Russo and I am a certified life coach, trainer, and speaker. After a successful career as a lawyer and traveling around the world working for NGOs, I found my calling. My mission is to enable self-knowledge and clarity within yourself. To have more confidence and impact in everything you do. Over the past years, I have supported hundreds of people to find more clarity in their life and reconnect with themselves, increasing the sense of confidence and trust in their own abilities. I have worked with entrepreneurs, doctors, psychologists, coaches, teachers and people from different backgrounds.

I can help you understand yourself better, recognise the patterns that are blocking you and overcome them. You will learn how to make better choices and achieve a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

The sessions are held in English, Spanish and Italian.

Daniela is a wonderful coach and came up with great session activities that dove into my problem areas along with very relevant exercises for me to do at home. I feel that she’s helped me with my growth and could not recommend her enough!

Issa Gruber

Human Resources, Amsterdam

WHY A LIFE COACH IN AMSTERDAM

The purpose of life coaching is for you to become more peaceful and happy, to feel more of your good feelings and be more comfortable with the bad ones. Over the course of few months you will learn that you are far more in control of your own happiness than you ever thought possible. You will learn to make small changes in the way you feel, think and act and you will come to realize that these small changes can make a huge difference.

A life coach can help when you:

feel your life is not exciting anymore.
don’ t know what makes you happy and you want to re/discover your passion.
need to boost your self-confidence.
experience negative thoughts, stress, and self-doubt.
desire a life with purpose and meaning but you don’t know where to start.
want to understand yourself better.
have problems with relationships.
feel confused about what to do next in your life or your career.
are a people pleaser and then get frustrated because you don’t get the same in return.

Case Studies

Amy was at a crossroad regarding her career and her life and she had to make a decision.

CAREER CLARITY & NEW MINDSET

Jeroen had reached all his goals (becoming a doctor, obtaining a PhD, successfully completing multiple Master degree programs) but still he was not happy.

PURPOSE & FULFILLMENT

Audrey was frustrated about work and her romantic life. A lot of limiting beliefs and low self worth were preventing her from acting.

FROM SELF-SABOTAGE TO CONFIDENCE

Adina found it very hard to advocate for herself. She was afraid to confront people and to speak up, especially at work.

INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

THE 4 PILLARS OF HAPPINESS

In order to be happy these 4 pillars have to be in harmony and need to go at the same speed, like the wheels of a car.

Mind

Negative thoughts act like internal invisible enemies. They are a set of automatic and habitual mind patterns, each with its own voice, beliefs, and assumptions that work against your best interest. Basically there is an internal war for domination between different parts of your brain. You can learn how to switch from negative thoughts to positive thoughts.

Emotions

Fear, Sadness, Jealousy, Loneliness, Anger, Joy, Trust, Love… Emotions are the strongest force that move every human being. You can use your emotions to make you stronger or to become vulnerable and live in pain. The choice is yours. Once your mind gets organised, the way you think is the way you feel: your emotions will get organised.

Energy

Meditation and Breathing are sources of power, and function like a battery charger. Most of us don’t even think about it. But meditation and the way you breathe can impact your whole body, regulating important functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. Practicing meditation and breath work can have multiple health benefits including mental clarity, focus and weight control.

Body

Mind and body are one system. There is a flow of information between body and mind at different levels. It is common knowledge that stress and emotions can affect the immune system. It’s not a one-way link. Studies have shown that sport can improve mental focus. We can create illness in the body by the way we think, and conversely, can we feel better in our bodies through our mind.

Daniela has been a game changer experience for me. Before starting the journey with her, I was angry and quite unhappy, for a long time. Even if things in my life were perfect, I was missing something within. And, most importantly, I did not have any more love for myself. The journey she took me, was necessary and it made me see, finally, why I could not be happy as I should have been. We did accomplish a lot, and with a lot of good laughs and espresso’s :). She is a mature woman, down to earth and sensible. I enjoyed our sessions so much! The way I feel now is so much different and, most of all, I am just the same person, with more enthusiasm and awareness of the reality around me. I am better living my family, my friends, my life in the Netherlands and my work. And I love myself again, in a very healthy way and not selfish.

Simona Ceglie

Manager, Amsterdam

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Confidence is built through action

I’m the author of a book on confidence where I explain how confidence is not something you have — it’s something you build through action, exposure, and real-life situations.

This is the same method I use in my coaching sessions with clients in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands.

In my book on confidence, I explain why most people in high-pressure environments struggle to speak up, overthink, and doubt themselves.
This is exactly what I help my clients in Amsterdam work through.

Download the first chapter

Coaching for Expats

Moving to a new country is a big deal, and nobody knows that better than me! I moved to the Netherlands myself, and for a long time it just didn’t feel like home. It took me many years to finally feel like I truly belonged here. Now I love helping other expats go through that same journey and so far I’ve helped hundreds of people find their way and feel at home in the Netherlands. If you’re feeling a bit lost or out of place, don’t worry, you’re not alone, and I can help you. Have a look at my blog Expat coach Amsterdam.

ONE-TO-ONE LIFE COACHING PROGRAM

In the coaching sessions we will work on your mind, emotions and energies. We will work on your mind by exposing the unconscious beliefs that are blocking you and how to switch to more positive thoughts. We will find out through various exercises what your core values are and your passions.

We will work on your emotions and energies through guided meditations, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. We won’t work on your body. However, if you need to improve your physical wellbeing I will help you find exercises and practices especially suited for your situation.

Schedule free introduction

In the introductory session, we will talk about the results you would like to achieve, how you want to feel, and what you want to experience when you get to the place you would like to be.

During the call, I evaluate if my coaching program is what you need or if a different path is more appropriate for you. In case we decide to continue, we will focus on the area(s) of your life that you want to change, creating a plan and defining the next steps for the transformation you desire.

Pricing Information
Coaching packages start at EUR 599, with final pricing based on the lenght and depth of your personalized coaching journey.

WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE:

Clarity on what you want
Finding your core values
Reconnecting with yourself
Increased self-confidence
Exposing and controlling your negative thoughts
Re-discovering what makes you happy
Appreciating what you have
Becoming more excited about life
Facing daily problems in a different way, without insecurities
Improving your relationships
More fulfillment in your life

Schedule free introduction

FROM LAWYER TO LIFE COACH

This is what happened when I got an epiphany moment and I changed my life totally in line with my core values!

My name is Daniela. I am a Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming® (NLP) and Co-active Coach and I am here to help you find back your motivation and happiness.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME

“Daniela is a wonderful coach, she made me aware of my limiting beliefs, and helped me to change perspective. And all of this in a cozy environment, sitting on a comfi couch and drinking coffee 🙂 Even though I am a therapist too, and I do a lot of inner work, her help was absolutely needed for solving some problems in my private life!”

Marianna Kocsany, Psychologist, Amsterdam

ONLINE COACHING

I also offer online coaching. Since 2020, online coaching has developed rapidly and people start to feel more comfortable behind their laptop or phone camera. This also means I can coach people living in other cities and countries.

When you choose for online coaching, the sessions will take place through Zoom . Once you have requested a free introductory call, you will receive a confirmation via email and instructions on how to connect to the online session.

The process and length of the sessions are the same as the face-to-face program.

Schedule free introduction

MOTIVATION COACH

As a motivation coach I can help you better assess your current situation. In this way you will have a better understanding of how to move forward.

Sometimes it can be difficult to look at your situation objectively. Maybe you need someone who helps you setting clear goals to accomplish something that you haven’t been able to do on your own.

I can help you create an action plan and track your progress, encouraging you along the way.

Locations

Life coach Rotterdam	Life coach Utrecht	Life coach Haarlem
Life coach Den Haag	Life coach Amersfoort	Life coach Eindhoven

What does a life coach in Amsterdam actually do?
A life coach helps you find clarity on what you want. As a life coach in Amsterdam, I work with you to identify the patterns holding you back, build genuine confidence, and create practical change that lasts. Sessions are practical and forward-focused: We don't dwell on the past, we work on where you want to go and what's getting in the way.
What is the difference between life coaching and therapy?
Coaching is not therapy, and a good coach will be clear about that. In general:

Therapy often focuses more on diagnosis, healing, and mental health treatment
Coaching focuses more on goals, behavior change, and building skills for the future

There can be overlap. But coaching is typically action oriented and present to future focused. If you are dealing with severe depression, trauma symptoms, or crisis situations, therapy is the right first step. If you are functioning but stuck, overwhelmed, doubting yourself, or repeating the same patterns, coaching can be a strong fit.
How is your approach different from other life coaches in Amsterdam?
I'm a Licensed Master Practitioner of NLP, a certified Co-active coach, and a published author on the psychology of confidence. I work specifically with internationals and expats in Amsterdam, in English, Spanish, and Italian, and I bring over 15 years of experience in international environments. My sessions are very practical. I work on real behavioural change, not just insight.
How much does life coaching in Amsterdam cost?

Pricing depends on what you need to work on and the depth of the coaching journey, so there's no one-size-fits-all package. For a full overview of my current packages and pricing, visit my pricing page.
Do you offer life coaching for expats & internationals in Amsterdam in English?
Yes. All sessions are available in English, Spanish, and Italian. For expats and internationals in Amsterdam, working in the language where you think most clearly makes a real difference when the topics are personal.
I'm an expat in Amsterdam feeling lost or disconnected. Can coaching help?
Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons international clients in Amsterdam reach out. Relocating to a new country, even an exciting one, often brings a quiet loss of identity, social roots, and a sense of belonging. Coaching gives you a structured space to understand what's shifted, reconnect with what you actually want, and build a life in Amsterdam that feels genuinely yours.
Amsterdam is overwhelming. Can coaching help me slow down and find clarity?
Absolutely. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most intense cities to live in, high rents, social pressure, a culture that rewards busyness, and the constant sense that everyone else has figured it out. Many of my clients come precisely because they're tired of keeping up and want to understand what they actually need. Coaching creates the space that Amsterdam rarely gives you on its own.
I've just moved to Amsterdam and I don't know anyone. Is that something we can work on?
Yes. Social isolation in a new city, even a lively one, is real and takes a toll on confidence, motivation, and sense of self. We can work on this directly: what's holding you back from building connections, what you need to feel at home.
Do you offer in-person coaching sessions in Amsterdam?
Yes. I offer both in-person and online sessions. For Amsterdam clients, we can meet in person in my studio in the centre of Amsterdam or work fully online, whichever fits your schedule and preference.
Can I fit coaching into a busy Amsterdam schedule?
Yes, flexibility is built into how I work. Sessions can be scheduled in the evenings or online during lunch breaks, or in the weekends. Most Amsterdam clients are working professionals who integrate coaching into their week without disruption. Online sessions make this particularly straightforward.
How long does a coaching trajectory last?
Most clients work with me for 3 to 6 months, with bi-weekly sessions. We always start with a free intake call, no commitment, just a conversation about your situation and what kind of support makes the most sense for you.
Is there a free first session?
Yes. I always start with a free intake call. It's not a sales pitch, it's a genuine conversation to understand where you are, what you want to change, and whether my approach is the right fit for you. You decide after that, with no pressure.
I struggle with self-confidence. Can a life coach help with that?
Confidence is one of the areas I specialise in. I am a published author on the subject. Real confidence isn't about feeling brave all the time. It grows when your actions consistently match your values, and when you stop abandoning yourself to keep other people comfortable. Coaching gives you the understanding and the tools to build that, step by step.
I overthink everything and can't make decisions. Is that something coaching addresses?
Yes, overthinking is one of the most common patterns I work with. It usually isn't a thinking problem: it's a trust problem. You don't trust your own judgment, so you keep gathering more information, more opinions, more scenarios. Coaching helps you understand why that pattern exists and how to make decisions with more clarity and less paralysis.
What if I don't even know what I want? Can coaching still help?
That's often exactly where we start. Not knowing what you want is not a character flaw, it's usually the result of years of making choices based on what others expected, what seemed sensible, or what you thought you should want. Coaching helps you separate your own voice from all the noise and reconnect with what actually matters to you.