Dr. Lies van Bekkum brings a unique combination of warmth, humor, and a straightforward approach to her work as a therapist. With over a decade of experience at The Catalyst Center, where she served as both a therapist and perinatal coordinator, she cultivated a deep passion for supporting new and expectant parents while fostering connections within the birth community. Today, in her private practice, Solstice Psychology, Lies continues to offer compassionate, expert care to individuals and couples navigating life’s transitions.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Dr. Lies van Bekkum brings a unique international perspective to her work, enriching her understanding of birth, parenting, and family life. Growing up in a different cultural context allows her to appreciate the diverse ways that families navigate these life stages across the globe. This global lens informs her therapeutic approach, enabling clients to explore their experiences within a broader cultural framework. She believes that understanding how cultural values, traditions, and societal expectations shape one’s journey through pregnancy, parenting, and family life can deepen self-awareness, increase empathy, and help clients uncover new perspectives on their challenges.

Lies’ journey into psychology began at Agnes Scott College, an innovative women’s college where she discovered her passion for the field. She went on to earn her doctoral degree from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology, focusing on health psychology, life transitions, and perinatal mental health. Her doctoral research explored fathers’ experiences during home births, birth center births, and hospital births, reflecting her dedication to understanding the pivotal moments that shape family dynamics.

Following her residency at the University of Denver, Lies completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Denver Health, in Integrative Behavioral Health at the Women’s Care Clinics. These experiences deepened her expertise in collaborating with medical professionals to provide holistic care.

Lies is passionate about working with birth workers, therapists, and healthcare providers to create a seamless support network for families. By partnering with doulas, midwives, doctors, and other professionals, she ensures families receive comprehensive care that addresses their physical, emotional, and psychological needs throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

In addition to her clinical work and role as the perinatal coordinator at The Catalyst Center, Dr. Lies van Bekkum also served as the Development Director for The Ardent Grove Foundation during its early years. In this part-time role, she helped the foundation provide accessible, affordable mental health care to the community while continuing her work as a therapist. Lies remains involved with the foundation, training students on perinatal mental health and birth trauma. Furthermore, her therapy groups are donation-based, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation’s mission.

She enjoys embarking on new adventures, discovering the best local cuisine as a passionate foodie, and cozying up with her kids and two dogs. In addition to her professional work, she serves as the president of De Petteflet, a local non-profit Dutch School.