Who I am and how I work
Find me on social media.
Hello, I’m Aspa. I’m a licensed teacher, a family life consultant, and a specialist in how culture shapes the way we live and parent. Based in the Netherlands, my work sits at the intersection of pedagogy, health communication, and cultural adaptation.
With an MA in American Studies from Utrecht University, I’ve spent years studying how identity and cultural narratives shape our lives. Today, I apply that lens to the high-pressure world of modern family and professional life. I help both families and individuals look past the “shoulds”, the hidden cultural expectations of what a ‘good’ parent or a productive life looks like, to find a way of living that actually fits your values and your specific reality.
From the classroom to the community.
My approach isn’t about following a rigid set of rules or simply forcing new habits. Instead, we look at what’s actually driving your stress and where your energy is going.
I help you identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck and look at how your current environment (daily life, parenting, cultural surroundings, work-life balance) is impacting your well-being. By focusing on building your internal capacity and finding a rhythm that actually works for you, we create a sense of calm and clarity that protects you from burnout. This is about practical, sustainable change, whether you are navigating a career shift, a move abroad, or the daily complexities of family life.
Bridging the Professional Gap
Beyond my work with individuals and families, I mentor professionals in the healthcare and wellness space. As the Lead Greek Instructor for the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI), I lead the cultural adaptation of global certification standards to ensure they resonate with the Greek community. I also partner with organizations like the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO) to train physicians and practitioners on how to communicate through a lens of health literacy and cultural awareness.
What Guides My Work
Evidence in Context
I translate complex research into practical tools that respect the reality of your everyday life, your cultural background and your values as a person.
Connection first, always
I prioritize connection over behavior modification. When children feel safe and understood, cooperation follows.
Resilience through Adaptability
I help parents support their child’s self-regulation, giving them the emotional tools to face a changing world with confidence.
Future-Minded Parenting
I help families look beyond today’s challenges to raise children who are socially aware, responsible, and prepared for a complex, global future.
My Expertise & Background
- MA, American Studies, Utrecht University, 2012–2013, focus on identity, race, culture, migration, and how narratives shape family life and public health
- BA, English Language & Literature (Teaching English and Greek as a Foreign Language), National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2007–2011
- Child & Parent Sleep Consultant Certification, International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI), 2019–2020
- Lifestyle Medicine Advisor, European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO), 2020
- Attached at the Heart Parent Educator, Attachment Parenting International (API), 2020
- Breastfeeding Educator, IPHI, 2020
- Brain Story Certification, 2021
Teaching & Speaking
NeMLA Convention, Pittsburgh (2026): “What am I doing wrong?”: Weaning, Motherhood, and the Quiet Traumas of Care in Narrative Practice
Lead instructor, IPHI Greek Sleep Consultant Certification (2025-2026): Translated and Adapted the Greek certification program, teaching cohorts.
European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (2024-2025): Designing and delivering workshops for physicians and health practitioners on strategic communication and health literacy.
- Workshop Lead, A Framework for Lifestyle Medicine Professionals on Social Media, 2-hour workshop at the Lifestyle Medicine Organization Certification, 2025
- Invited Speaker and Workshop Lead, Educate and Engage: Effective Social Media Use in Lifestyle Medicine, Practice Lifestyle Medicine, 2024
- Invited Speaker Promoting health literacy in children and adolescents: How can teachers, school leaders, and educators help, 1st European Lifestyle Medicine Congress, Online, 2020
Adult and Child Teacher Kookoovaja Taalschool (2020-2025): Developing and teaching Greek language programs for children and adults, with a focus on multicultural and bilingual learners.
Key Projects
I developed and lead digital platforms that bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and the lived reality of families. These projects grew from a need for reliable peer support and evidence-based resources that traditional systems often miss. Beyond community support, they serve as a deep source of real-world insight into how families actually navigate health and lifestyle shifts.
A collaboration with a midwife to support Greek-speaking families through the end of their breastfeeding journey. I co-designed the educational framework and training materials to turn clinical guidance into culturally appropriate and practical support.
A project focused on sustainable nutrition for plant-based and flexitarian families. Working with an environmental health scientist, we develop the resources that help parents navigate the social and practical side of lifestyle shifts with confidence.
Work With Me
I bridge the gap between education, culture, and health to create practical support for families and targeted training for the professionals who serve them.