Protea Roots
Coaching, starting from where you are,
growing together towards your goals
Hi everyone, I’m Rizel . I’m a South African mom, wife and expat living in the Netherlands.
My background is in Social Work, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, and I’ve worked with children, adults, families in my capacity as a social worker. In recent years, I worked in international development and HR.
Coaching en Counselling in the Netherlands.
Depending on what you need, I can step into my coaching role, while drawing on my social work knowledge, professional experience and my own lived experience as a mom and expat.
If you’re navigating change, feeling stuck, looking for direction or simply
need a supportive space to talk, you’re very welcome to reach out.
You are not starting
from zero
You don’t need to arrive with the answers — we can start exactly where you are and build from there.
Every person arrives with a history, experiences, relationships, abilities, values and strengths that have helped shape who they are.
At Protea Roots, coaching begins by recognising these existing resources rather than focusing only on what is difficult or what needs to change.
My approach is influenced by strengths-based, solution-focused and values-led coaching techniques. Depending on what you need, we may explore your existing strengths, clarify your goals, consider new perspectives, work through uncertainty or identify a realistic next step.
The aim is not to hand you a ready-made solution. It is to create the space, structure and support for you to develop one that genuinely fits you.
The Protea Roots
approach
Start with what you have
During the introduction session we discuss what brought you here and we look for the resources already present in your life — your experiences, relationships, knowledge, community, opportunities and personal assets — and explore how they can support your next steps.
Build on what works
Challenges matter, but they are only part of the picture. Coaching also helps you recognise your strengths, capabilities and patterns of success, so you can draw on them more intentionally. This means acknowledging the challenges without allowing them to define the entire process, while looking beyond external solutions to explore the internal resources, perspectives and choices that can support meaningful change.
You remain in control
Coaching that fits around you, not the other way around. There are no fixed packages, programmes or required number of sessions. You decide when to book, how often you would like support and when you feel ready to continue on your own. Each session is booked and paid for individually, giving you the freedom to use coaching in the way that best supports you.
Did you know
From fire to flower
The protea has become a symbol for my own experience of moving through difficult seasons, change and loss while continuing to grow. Protea Roots represents the idea that hardship can change the landscape of our lives without being the end of the story — sometimes it creates space for something new to emerge.
Rooted in where I come from
I was born and raised in South Africa, therefore, my roots are originally there. However, I am currently flourishing in the Netherlands.
Learning to grow in new soil
I have first hand experience of emigrating, living far away from family and friends. In addition I have life experience of integrating into a new society, finding a work and growing towards my passion
Nurturing growth,
not forcing it
Motherhood has taught me that growth cannot be rushed or controlled. People, like children and plants, develop in their own way and time.
Finding strength in what is already there
Roots reflects the way I coach: we don't begin by assuming something is missing or broken. We start with your existing strengths, experiences, values and resources, and build from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about coaching.
Anyone who feels that perhaps you know something needs to change — but you’re not quite sure what comes next.
You may be navigating a transition, feeling stuck, reconsidering your direction or simply wanting to understand yourself and your goals more clearly.
Protea Roots coaching may be a good fit if you are:
- navigating a personal or professional transition;
- adjusting to life in a new country or culture;
- reconsidering your career, priorities or direction;
- wanting to strengthen confidence, boundaries or resilience;
- feeling stuck between where you are and where you would like to be;
- looking for greater clarity around a decision or personal goal;
- wanting space to reflect without judgement or expectation.
And you do not need a perfectly defined coaching question before making contact.
1. Introduction session: We start with your story
Our first conversation gives us space to understand what has brought you to coaching, what is happening now and what you might like to be different.
2. Coaching sessions: We find a direction together
During the first session(s), we work collaboratively to identify meaningful and realistic coaching goals.
Further sessions combine reflection, questions, strengths and practical actions, with regular opportunities to review what is changing and what you need next.
Reflect → Recognise → Explore → Act → Grow
A space where you can arrive as you are
My personal values are grounded in my Christian faith, particularly compassion, dignity, hope and service. These are values that guide how I approach people, not beliefs that I expect my clients to share.
Protea Roots is a welcoming and non-judgemental coaching practice for people of every faith or no faith, nationality, ethnicity, culture, identity and background.
There is no particular version of yourself that you need to present here.
Coaching, with clear professional boundaries
Protea Roots provides non-medical coaching focused on personal development, resilience, transitions and goal-setting. Coaching does not replace psychological, psychiatric or medical treatment. If something falls outside the appropriate scope of coaching, I will be open about that and, where appropriate, encourage you to seek support from a suitably qualified professional.
Contact Rizel
In-person sessions by appointment
Complaints Procedure
At Protea Roots, I am committed to providing a safe, respectful and professional coaching environment. As a member of the Landelijke Vereniging voor Supervisie en Coaching (LVSC), I adhere to its professional Code of Conduct. Should you have any concerns or complaints, I encourage you to contact me directly so we can explore a suitable resolution together. You also have the right to submit a complaint independently through the LVSC complaints procedure. For more information, please visit the LVSC Complaints Procedure.
KvK: 42153747