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Robertine Nunes Nabarro

Born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 18 June, 1946 as Robertine Aina Nunes Nabarro
Immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1952

After a few primary schools, I attended Nathan Hale Junior High School, and then Moody Junior High School.  Attended Bedford High School from September 1961 to January 1964.  Moved back to Holland in January 1964, right before graduation.  This was a most painful and difficult time for me, I did not want to leave the USA, but had to. Holland was at least 20 years backward in those days.

Attended night school to get some kind of secondary school certificate, and worked at the front desk of the Giro Bank. Had to learn how to use basic computers and speak, read and write Dutch.

Married on 12 July, 1965 to René van Ast, cello player in Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and in The Amsterdam String Quartet

Attended VU University Amsterdam night school majoring in English language and literature.  Graduated in 1969.  Had two children: Matthijs Jakob on 25 September, 1967 and Jochem Barend on 17 August, 1969.  Worked as translator for major newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, and various political magazines from '69 t0 '78.  Took part time course Piano Tuning at the Technical College Amsterdam and passed in 1971.
Tuned pianos, as well as translate, from '71 to '78 in Holland.

Death of husband, René, in 1976.  Moved to Rye, East Sussex, GB with my two children in July 1978.  Worked as translator for my Dutch magazines and news papers every month, as well as a piano tuner in this little town or Rye, East Sussex.  Passed 3 month course, Women in Management,at Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology, and got Certificate for all modules taken.

Passed my Heavy Goods Vehicle driving test in 1983, and drove 32 tonners with goods from England to Sicily and back.  I did this for about seven years, in order to pay for my studies.  In 1982 started part-time study Counseling at Hastings College of Arts and Technology, and at the College of Psychotherapy and Graduated Counseling and Relationship Counseling Rugby, GB, in 1987.  Graduated from Hastings College in 1985.
Also learned Italian at Hastings College and in Palermo, Sicily, and finished my general Italian Studies in 2000.  Worked as a counselor at The Samaritans, Hastings, East Sussex, GB as well as RELATE from 1983 to 1993, in English, French and Italian.  Moved back to Amsterdam, The Netherlands in July, 1993.  Attended Utrecht University, studied Post Doctorate Psycho-Dynamic Counseling and Transactional Analysis Counseling
Graduated in June 1995.  Started my own practice, Counseling Service Amstelveen, in September 1995.  Took two-year part time Post-Grad courses in hypnotherapy, psycho-analytical psychotherapy, psycho-diagnostics, psycho-pharmacy, cognitive therapy, Rogerian therapy and more.  Worked for the Amsterdam Regional Mental Health Authority as psychotherapist and hypnotherapist from 1995 until 2004.
Married Willem. E. van der Sluis, surgeon and old old friend since 1968, on 18 December, 1997.
On 11 September 2004, my elder son, Matt, died very suddenly. This put my whole life on hold for a very long time.  It is only now, the last three months, that I feel I that am thawing from this experience and want to start working and attending seminars, conferences and reunions again.

My website was built and up and has been running since September, 2008. www.counsellingserviceamstelveen.nl