ABOUT
BLINDSPOT
INSTITUTE
Psychological BLIND SPOT Definition:
“a lack of awareness—often persistent—about a specific area of one’s behaviour or personality…”
Retrieved from: https://dictionary.apa.org/blind-spot
What can underlie psychological blind spots?
Psychological blind spots can stem from various factors like cognitive overload, cognitive biases (mental shortcuts our brains use to make quick decisions), trauma, emotional malaise, and external pressures, such as stigma and cultural conditioning. These blind spots can lead to hindered self-awareness.
Not all blind spots result in challenges. Some may be benign or even adaptive in certain contexts. While others can misshape how we see ourselves, others, our relationships, and what we believe is possible.
While personality traits are relatively stable, blind spots may shape how these traits are expressed, interpreted, or reinforced. By increasing awareness, individuals may shift behavioural patterns, or emotional responses. At Blindspot, we don’t give you the answers. We create a space for discovery and the conditions for ‘filling in your blindspot’.
Filling in your BLINDSPOT
Personalised Neuro-Psychotherapy and Coaching Psychology
Is our decision making conscious and autonomous? Much of our decision-making occurs before we’re aware of it. Research using fMRI (Libet, 1983; Soon et al., 2008) shows brain activity can signal decisions milliseconds before conscious awareness.
Some researchers argue, however, that what we call “choice” may simply be the outcome of a dynamic interplay between internal neurobiological states (e.g. habits, cognitive load, trauma, neurodivergence) and external conditions like social norms, status, and historical context.
So, we might say autonomy is not a fixed trait but a context-sensitive process. Experiences from our lifetime, and even those of parents and grandparents, may influence our neurobiology through epigenetic mechanisms. These include exposures during pregnancy and inherited epigenetic marks that affect gene expression without altering DNA.
How do emotions and biases play a role? Emotions arise from brain systems that help direct attention, guide behaviour, and inform decisions tied to goals and our survival. The amygdala helps assign emotional meaning to internal and external stimuli, including non-threatening ones. While the prefrontal cortex supports rational thought, often after non-conscious emotional processes have shaped the decision, as mentioned at the start earlier.
Cognitive biases subtly influence perception, judgement, decision making and our sense of agency, that we are often unaware of and unaware of their effects on ourselves and those around us.
Why BLINDSPOT INSTITUTE?
We all possess a unique way of behaving and reacting to changes in circumstances and life events that can bring about significant alterations, readjustments, or negative consequences in our regular lives. These may include chronic illness, the loss of a loved one or divorce, instances of bullying, abuse or discrimination, the transformative journey of pregnancy and childbirth, or the responsibility of being a parent, caregiver, career advancements, job loss or retirement.
These life events and changes in circumstances have the potential to impact the brain and body, and may also influence pre-existing mental and physical health conditions. For instance, symptoms like persistent anxiety or low mood, outbursts of anger unrelated to the context, procrastination, chronic pain, or heart palpitations. This can manifest as noticeable alterations in cognition/thinking, memory, emotional regulation, behaviours, and physiology.
The underlying cause might not be immediately apparent, or certain patterns or pain may have been lifelong. Conversely, for some individuals, life events may present an opportunity for exploring new horizons for growth, seeking to hone strengths to thrive on a personal, relational, social and/or professional level.
By applying evidence-based techniques, we guide you through comfortable self-exploration of your unique mental models and perspectives and physical patterns. Without inference or assumptions on the part of the practitioner, who brings an intent for positive change, alongside relevant qualified skills and experience.
At Blindspot, we honour individual differences and the individuality of each person’s experiential journey. Facilitating change based on what you would like to have happen, we offer a confidential space, prioritising your well-being throughout the process of discovery, and therapeutic or coaching programmes for teens and adults.
About the Founder
Treesje Verlinden MSc, BSc (Hons), ANA, MBPsS, FRSA, FRSPH, BNA, ANLP
My Story
The concept for Blindspot began taking shape in my 20s, sparked by a growing curiosity about how nutrition and movement influence mood and long-term wellbeing. Over time, this evolved alongside a deeper interest in the social, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive dynamics that shape our lives, personally, relationally, and within organisations.
Fast forward to 2002, alongside working full time in the Microsoft ecosystem, building business units and technical communities, I began a part time academic journey with the Open University. Graduating in 2006, earning a BSc in Psychology (Hons), integrating earlier studies in nutrition, psycholinguistics, psychosynthesis, and psychodynamics.
During this time, I founded Blindspot Clinic, collaborating in my spare time with therapists and coaches to develop and apply tailored, integrated approaches in therapeutic practice. Blindspot’s mission was to be scientifically grounded, client-led, trauma-aware, and free of jargon or assumed interpretations, creating space for discovery and the client’s own meanings to emerge.
In January 2020, I completed an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College London. This programme deepened my understanding of the neurobiological, psycho-social-environmental factors that can influence the nervous system and body. I began applying this new learning and insights directly to my work at Blindspot Clinic.
My MSc research dissertation explored the: 'Developmental Origins of Depression: Linking Dysbiotic Maternal Gut Microbiota in Antenatal Depression, with Early-life Programming of a ‘Foetal Microbiome for Depression’. This provided an introduction to advanced research methods and the possibilities of novel treatment strategies in this domain, and beyond.
In 2020, Blindspot Clinic pivoted to Blindspot Institute, establishing a broader platform combining Applied Neuroscience, Neuropsychotherapy, Coaching Psychology, and Clean Language. Blindspot serves as a hub providing evidence-based services for individuals, teams, and organisations. Since inception, BI has adhered to the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct.
I co-founded Applied Neuroscience Association in 2022 as a non-profit initiative. Relaunching in January 2025 as a sole founder, The Applied Neuroscience Association (ANA) is establishing Chapters worldwide, placing emphasis on the Members and their work, empowering ethically applied neuroscience for global impact and enhancing lives, abiding by the ANA Ethical Charter.
Education and Memberships
Formal Education:
BSc (Hons) Psychology, specialising in Counselling Psychology (The Open University)
MSc Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health (Kings College London IoPPN)
ICF Certificate in Clean Coaching (Clean Learning ICF-approved training centre) - IN PROGRESS
CNLMP Certified Master Practitioner, Trainer & Coach (ANLP Professional)
GCS Certificate in Counselling Practice (GCS is a BACP-approved training centre)
Registered Memberships:
Get started with Blindspot Institute today
Your first Consultation is free