About me
I support international school communities through counseling, consulting, and wellbeing initiatives with over 25+ years of experience across 6 continents.
Hi, I’m Lina! I’m an international school counselor and wellness educator, but at the heart of it, I’m someone who cares deeply about helping young people and their families feel supported, connected, and understood. Over the past 25+ years, I’ve worked in schools around the world, guiding students through both everyday challenges and life’s bigger transitions. As a Third Culture Kid myself, I know what it’s like to move between cultures, find belonging, and build resilience along the way.
I’ve been fortunate to live, study, and/or work in Kenya, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, the UK, Morocco, Austria, the USA, Australia, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Chile (which you can explore in detail on the map below). These experiences shape how I connect with students and families across cultures and languages. I’m fluent in English and German, very comfortable in French, and can also understand some Spanish and a little Dutch. Wherever you’re coming from, my goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where you and your child feel seen and supported.
My commitment to youth suicide prevention is both deeply personal and professional. I grew up surrounded by silence after losing both my grandmother and my aunt to suicide—losses my family carried quietly for years. Later, as a school counselor, I experienced the devastating death of a 16-year-old student and witnessed the profound ripple effect it had across an entire community—from parents to peers, even the youngest children who could not fully understand. These experiences taught me one powerful truth: talking about suicide can save lives. Today, I channel my grief into action by creating safe spaces for honest conversations, breaking down stigma, and developing prevention programs that help ensure no young person feels so alone in their struggles.
Global Experience
Six continents — where each country has shaped my understanding of resilience, adaptation, and human connection across cultures whether I was a student or an employee.
My journey across different locations and experiences
Nairobi, Kenya
Born in Nairobi, Kenya
Toronto, Canada
Education: Kindergarten
Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire
Education: International Community School Abidjan (ICSA) - Elementary School
Vienna, Austria
Education: Public School System - Middle and High School
Casablanca, Morocco
Education: Casablanca American School - High School
York, UK
University of York - Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Casablanca, Morocco
Work Internship - Casablanca American School
Worked as a 6th grade Health and PE intern Teacher, coach Varsity Volleyball for Boys and Girls and Varsity Basketball for Girls.
Denver, CO, USA
University of Denver - Masters in Counseling Psychology
East Coast, Australia
Cycled 6000 KM along Australia’s east coast, raising funds and awareness for Aids orphans in Kenya.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg University - Masters in Advanced Studies in Health and Fitness
Bangkok, Thailand
New International School of Thailand (NIST)
Secondary School Counselor for Social-Emotional Wellbeing
Varsity Volleyball Coach, U15 Volleyball Coach
Wassenar/Leiden, The Netherlands
American School of The Hague (ASH)
High School Counselor
JV Volleyball Coach, Varsity Basketball Coach
Mindfulness Instructor
Santiago, Chile
Nido de Aguilas International School (Nido)
High School Social-Emotional Counselor
Whole School Wellbeing Coordinator
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Creation of Wellness Center
Mindfulness Instructor
JV & Varsity Volleyball Coach
Vienna, Austria
Freelancer - Linden
Doctoral Degree in Psychology - Dissertation: Youth Suicide Prevention for International Schools
Get Started!
Whether you're seeking individual support or looking to enhance your school's suicide prevention, safeguarding, and wellbeing programs, I am here to help you take the next step toward meaningful change.