Professional Experience:
I am a clinical psychologist by profession, graduated from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands after successfully finishing a seven year education and training. Graduation thesis: “the optimal distance in empathy between therapist and client in a Rogerian therapeutic session". I have a minor in Medical Sociology. I received a PhD in behavior science from the University of Groningen thesis: Cervical cancer, proxies for HPV exposure, screening scare and use of proximal and distal defense behaviors in fear buffering. My expertise is Clinical psychology especially Behavioral and family therapy. In Suriname. I worked at the MOB, Medisch Opvoedkundig bureau, of the Ministry of Health in Suriname for 6 years, diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with learning and behavior problems. Started working part-time at Lobi, the responsible parenthood foundation in Suriname, as a counselor for persons with behavior problems including sexuality problems and with different kind of personality or behavior issues. My methodology is eclectic based on a behavioral approach. I am teaching psychology at different educational institutes. Besides my experience in clinical psychology, I also have knowledge about and experience with sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, including population issues and management of health and education programs. Since 1982 I am the executive director of Stichting Lobi, a member of the International Planned parenthood Federation, IPPF. This position exposed me to national and international reproductive health issues and the management of projects from conception to completion. My input and results have been acknowledged nationally and Internationally by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere region, IPPF/WHR, through a total of sixteen (16) of awards of the latter for governing, program management, financial management, innovation and creativity in the implementation. The PAHO, (Pan American Health and Education Foundation) Suriname office, nominated me in 2002 and in 2003 for the Clarence H. Moore award for voluntarism in health services, and the Suriname government has ordained me Officer in the Palm of Honor in 2008.