Meet Diane from Artemis

Can you please tell us who you are and what exactly is ARTEMIS?

My name is Diane Mesnier; I am a French psychologist based in Amsterdam with my Dutch husband.

Expatriation and international travel have influenced a big part of my life. Next to enjoying leisure travel, I have also lived in different places and discovered various cultures.

I have a background as a yoga teacher and I am certified in five different types of yoga, among which Yin and Pre and Postnatal yoga (technique DeGasquet).

After studying Fashion marketing in New York, I changed fields and studied psychology at University Paris 8 while teaching daily yoga classes.

In 2019, I opened Artemis Psychology & Yoga: a safe space for women who feel the need to reconnect with their mind and body.

I offer therapy sessions to women going through pregnancy loss, burnout, anxiety, eating disorder, body image distortion and much more.

How did you come up with the idea of working with Psychology & Yoga?

After going through a traumatic accident when I was living in New York, I started a therapy while practicing yoga daily. The combination the two did wonders for me: I was able to heal my mind  with therapy and heal my body with yoga. After this experience, I decided to become certified in yoga and to get my Msc in Psychology so I could share those tools with others.

I understood you also work with women especially after a miscarriage, can you tell us a bit more?

After a personal experience with pregnancy loss, I realized how difficult it was to find appropriate support during this challenging time. It also occurred to me that many women think they overreact after their loss. This belief usually comes from having been told or having read that losing a pregnancy is very common, especially during the first trimester. It’s actually very normal to experience various emotions, even if the loss happened early in the pregnancy. Acknowledging the pain of losing a pregnancy is an essential part of the healing process.

I offer a safe space where women can deal with their feelings, mourn, reconnect with their body and heal.

Can you tell us what one can expect from your sessions?

How do you work?

I like to tailor each session around each individual and their current state.

However, I do follow a general frame which is to acknowledge your past, identify your present and work toward your desired future. According to your needs, we can apply yoga and breathing exercises. This is especially useful for people who have been through a traumatic experience as yoga is a way to re-connect with the body, to live in the present and to calm the mind.

Why the name « ARTEMIS »?

Artemis is the Greek goddess of the moon, wildlife and childbirth. She embodies qualities of strength, clarity and determination. I believe that every woman has these qualities in her and just has to call upon them when she is going through a challenging time. Artemis also happens to be the Greek version of the Romaine name Diane

Can you tell us what makes you happy?

I am happiest when I am trekking with my husband and our dog, hand making a present for someone I care about and feeling that I am helping someone