My name is Veerle van Acker. Since the summer of 2020, I’ve been living in Lausanne, Switzerland with my husband and three sons. 

With my years of professional experience as a Child Psychologist and as an expert with three children, I know how important sleep is for both the child and the parent.  

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 25-50% children has problems sleeping (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep).  This not only affects the child but also the parent(s) and (if present) the rest of the family. Lack of sleep can lead to problems in the child’s development, emotional regulation, physical complaints, increased stress, less energy, and a decreased sense of pleasure and overall happiness. 

I’ve personally experienced how difficult it is to suffer from extended sleep deprivation. I know how exhausted, insecure, desperate, impatient, misunderstood, and lonely you can feel! You’re doing your best, you’ve tried everything, and everyone has well-meaning advice, but nothing seems to help your child. That’s what motivated me to help other parents find the resolve they need. 

After working for almost 10 years as a Child Psychologist in a basic GGZ practice, I started my own practice in 2008, which eventually led to the establishment of Next Step, Child Psychology & Educational Science (visit website).  

In 2023, I became a certified Gentle Sleep Coach® with a mission of helping families teach their child to sleep independently in a loving, nurturing way.