Frequently Asked Questions

No. Because I work independently from insurance companies, you can contact me directly without a referral letter (verwijsbrief). This means you can start therapy as soon as you're ready, without navigating the Dutch healthcare bureaucracy first.

This is one of the main advantages of private practice: no waiting lists, no referral requirements, no diagnosis needed to begin.

Start by requesting a free 15-minute intro call through the contact form. During this call, we'll briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and answer any questions you have. If we both feel it clicks, we'll schedule your first full session.

I typically respond to messages within 48 hours.

The first session (intake) is about understanding your situation: what brought you here, what you're dealing with now, and what you hope to change. We'll discuss your history, current challenges, and goals for therapy.

It's also an opportunity to see whether working together feels right for you. There's no obligation to continue after the first session.

It varies. Some people benefit from a few months of focused work; others prefer longer-term support. We'll discuss realistic expectations during your intake, and you're always in control of when to end.

Sessions are €130 for 45 minutes. Therapy is exempt from VAT, so there is nothing to add. I send an invoice after each session, payable by bank transfer or payment link.

EMDR sessions are twice as long (90 minutes) and cost €260. Processing work simply takes more time.

As an independent practice, my services are not covered by basic Dutch health insurance (basispakket).

However, some supplementary insurance packages (aanvullende verzekering) offer partial reimbursement for psychologist sessions. Check with your insurer about coverage for 'ongecontracteerde zorg' or psychology services. Some employers also offer mental health benefits that can be used.

Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations or missed sessions are charged in full.

We use a secure video platform. Online therapy is equally effective for most concerns; studies confirm this. You just need a private space with stable internet.

I also offer in-person sessions at my Rotterdam practice (Westplein 12) if you prefer.

I see clients Monday through Friday, 09:00–18:00.

Yes. I'm bound by professional secrecy (beroepsgeheim) under Dutch law and the NIP code of ethics, and what you tell me stays between us. The one exception is serious, immediate danger to you or someone else. Even then I would talk with you about it first wherever that is possible.

No information is shared with employers, insurers, or anyone else without your explicit consent. This is one advantage of working outside the insurance system: there are no records shared with health insurers.

I draw on several evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.

Rather than rigidly following one method, I adapt my approach to what actually helps you. Learn more on the About page.

No. A psychologist doesn't prescribe medication; only psychiatrists and medical doctors can. If I think medication might be helpful, I'll discuss it with you and refer you to a psychiatrist.

No, I work with individuals. Relationship therapy here means individual sessions about the relationships in your life: recurring conflicts, communication patterns, boundaries. If what you need is couples therapy with both partners present, I'll say so honestly in the intro call and help you think about a suitable alternative.

My practice is built around cross-cultural understanding. Having lived in Turkey, Canada, the US, Germany, and the Netherlands, I understand what it means to live across cultures.

I've also researched migration psychology academically and serve on the NIP Committee for Culture and Diversity. I approach each person's cultural context as essential to understanding their experience.

Many of my clients are here on temporary assignments or uncertain about their timeline. We can work with whatever timeframe you have. Even short-term work can be valuable.

If you relocate, online sessions allow us to continue our work together regardless of where you move.

I offer therapy in English, Dutch, and Turkish. Being able to express yourself in your preferred language can make a significant difference in therapy.