My name is Melanie Osaigbovo Boomsma, and I am an art therapist. My passion for creativity, my personal experiences, and my interest in psychology led me to the path of art therapy. As a teenager, I first encountered this form of therapy and discovered how powerful creative expression can be, especially when words fall short. Working creatively helped me explore my feelings, destress, and understand myself better. It offered me a way to communicate beyond language. That experience grew into my mission: to guide others on their own journey of insight, healing, and personal development.
My Practice
In my practice, I offer people from 16 and above a safe and supportive space to grow at their own pace and within their own possibilities. I work in a responsive and personalized way—your needs, strengths, and goals are central. Together, we explore how creativity can help you express what’s going on inside.
From the Heart
I believe every person has the capacity to heal, grow, and develop, when there is space to feel, to explore, and to simply be. In my practice, I invite you to reconnect with yourself and your environment through creative expression. Whether you’re dealing with stress, grief, trauma, overstimulation, or you’re simply seeking more calm, joy, or direction, you are welcome, just as you are. We take time for what’s difficult, while also focusing on your resilience, well-being, and what is already working.
Education and Experience
My personal experiences within youth care continue to shape my work. I know how vital it is to be truly seen, and how healing it can be to understand yourself and your environment through creativity. During and after my training as an art therapist, I worked with a variety of groups, both in the Netherlands and Nigeria. I supported children and adolescents around themes such as building self-confidence, emotion regulation, relaxation, coping with illness, and strengthening positive feelings. I also worked with adults facing challenges related to trauma, depressive symptoms, shame, guilt, and reclaiming their personal power.
Therapist Information
Melanie Boomsma
Practice: Maa Therapy
Chamber of Commerce (KVK): 94663548
Member of NVBT (Dutch Association for Art Therapy): 114259
Sometimes words fall short when it comes to expressing what’s happening inside. It can feel difficult to put feelings or thoughts into words, or you may notice that talking alone isn’t enough. Art therapy offers a different way in. Through drawing, painting, sculpting, collage or other creative forms, you can make your inner world visible. This can help you to understand your feelings, let them go, or give them a place. By making them tangible, you can look at them from a new perspective.
In our sessions we move at your pace, based on your needs and process. Sometimes the focus is on free expression and releasing emotions, other times we work with more specific assignments connected to a certain question or theme. Art therapy can support you in times of stress, burnout, grief, trauma, insecurity and many other challenges. You don’t need any artistic experience — it’s not about the result, but about your process.
Alongside individual therapy, I am also open to collaborations with organizations, institutions and teams. With my expertise as an art therapist and as someone with lived experience, I create safe, creative and professional spaces where people can explore, grow and heal.
Would you like to discover whether art therapy could be meaningful for you, or are you curious about how my expertise could support your organization or team? Feel free to get in touch for a free introductory meeting. Together we can explore what best fits your needs.
