Frequently Asked Questions

I provide care for a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, burnout, relationship difficulties, as well as low self-esteem, perfectionism, identity issues, life transitions and trauma.

In addition, I have experience helping internationals adjust to the unique challenges of living in the Netherlands.

I work with adults aged 18+. I have experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, expats, international students and those navigating polyamorous/ENM relationship dynamics, but everyone is welcome.

Many people assume you need to be experiencing severe mental health symptoms to seek therapy, but in reality, it can be helpful to anyone wanting to understand themselves better, or seeking to improve their quality of life.

A good rule of thumb is this: if a problem is causing significant distress, affecting your quality of life, or taking up more mental energy than you would like, it may be worth talking to someone about it.

I offer general mental health care and, as a solo practitioner, am not equipped to provide crisis care or specialized/multidisciplinary psychiatric treatment. I do not treat:

• Acute suicidality
• Psychotic disorders
• Severe substance dependence
• Severe eating disorders
• Conditions requiring intensive psychiatric treatment

During the first (intake) session, we will get to know each other, discuss your current concerns, goals for therapy and relevant background information. You will also be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. There is no pressure to answer everything immediately, and we will proceed at a pace that feels comfortable to you.

After this session, we will usually have a clearer understanding of how I can help you, and based on this, I will make a personalized treatment plan for you.

Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is confidential, with a few exceptions required by Dutch law and professional ethics. These exceptions generally relate to situations involving serious and immediate risk of harm to yourself or others. We will go through the policy in one of your first sessions and discuss what conditions should be in place to keep both you and me safe.

If confidentiality ever needs to be broken, this would be discussed with you whenever possible.

There is no one answer to this question, as everyone is different. However, it is useful to keep in mind that therapy is not a quick fix and progress can take some time. The exact time frame will depend on the nature and severity of your concerns, your goals for therapy and the pace at which you would like to work. We will work together and review your needs over time.

I take an integrative and evidence-based approach to therapy. This means I draw from several therapeutic models and tailor them to your individual needs, goals, and personality, rather than following a rigid one-size-fits-all method.

The approaches I commonly use are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and schema therapy.

Yes. I hold a master’s degree in clinical and health psychology, and am licensed with the Dutch Institute of Psychologists (NIP).

No, a formal diagnosis is not required (and is not always useful in treatment!), unless you have international insurance that covers the sessions. In this case, you will need a referral and a diagnosis from your GP.

While diagnoses can be helpful in understanding yourself and your behavioral patterns, it can also have some limitations. As I have an integrative approach, I will try to see you as a complex and whole person, not just a diagnosis. For these reasons, I do not diagnose specific mental health conditions in my practice.

If you have any prior diagnoses, we will go through them in the intake session and take them into account in treatment, where relevant.

No, a referral from your GP is not required, except for if you have international health insurance that covers the sessions.

Currently, there is no waiting list to start treatment, which means you will be able to schedule the initial contact session within a few weeks.

A contact session is an online, free of charge 30-minute initial session. During this session, you will be able to share why you’re seeking therapy, ask me any questions you may have, and for us to see whether I’m the right fit for your concerns.

Yes, you can have online therapy via a secure environment. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many common mental health concerns. However, where possible, I do recommend having at least one in-person session at my Leiden office, as this can help speed up the build-up of a therapeutic relationship, which in turn aids in the efficacy of treatment.

Standard therapy sessions last 60 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged upon request.

You can have therapy in English or Estonian.

Yes. I work with many professionals with 9 to 5 jobs and I find it important to find a schedule that works with your life and personal situation. As such, I am available in the evenings two days a week. If you have specific requests, I’ll be happy to discuss them with you during the contact session.

Online sessions:

• Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00.

In-person sessions:

• Wednesday 17:00 to 22:00
• Thursday 10:00 to 19:00
• Friday 12:00 to 18:00

Specific availability may vary over time.

Appointments can be cancelled or rescheduled free of charge up to 48 hours before the session. If you cancel or reschedule your appointment less than 48 hours, but more than 24 hours before the appointment, you will be charged for 50% of the session fee. Any no-shows and cancellations less than 24 hours before the appointment will be charged for the full amount.

These conditions do not apply in emergency situations, such as illness or accident.

Yes. Although I strive to provide high-quality and ethical care, I understand that concerns may occasionally arise. If something is not working for you, I encourage you to discuss it with me directly whenever possible. Open communication is often the quickest way to resolve misunderstandings and improve the therapeutic process.

If a complaint cannot be resolved informally, Bloomwave Practice follows the complaints procedures required by Dutch healthcare regulations and the NIP professional code. Further information can be provided upon request.

Yes. My office is located at Kanaalpark 157, Leiden, which is about a 5-minute walk from train station Lammenschans, with direct trains from Utrecht, Leiden Centraal, and buses from the Hague and Zoetermeer.

My office is located on the third floor, and can be accessed either by stairs or an elevator. There is a waiting area on the ground floor of the building, which is where I will pick you up for our first session.

You can park your car safely and free of charge at one of the indicated parking spots in front of the building (Dé Plek).

There are bike parking spaces available in front of the building.

Dé Plek is NEN9120-certified for accessibility, with an elevator and full wheelchair access throughout. There are also dedicated parking spots for visitors who need them.

If you have a service animal, they are welcome to accompany you to sessions.

If you have any accessibility needs, please let me know during our online contact session so I can do my best to accommodate you.

I believe in a welcoming and cozy space, as it’s important to feel comfortable during therapy. Expect a comfy couch, warm colors, soft lighting, and a cup of tea waiting for you. I also have a variety of fidget toys available to use during sessions.

Bloomwave Practice is a private practice, which means that sessions are not covered by Dutch health insurance. This is why I work with a sliding payment scale. If you have international health insurance, such as with Cigna or AoN, your sessions may be covered – in this case, you should contact your insurance to verify. You will likely also need a referral from your GP.

I use a sliding payment scale to improve accessibility, with current fees ranging from 80-140 eur, depending on your income. If costs are a concern, we can discuss this further in the initial contact session.

A sliding payment scale is a flexible pricing system designed to make therapy more accessible to clients who are students, unemployed or experiencing financial hardship. The idea of the scale is that clients with more financial means subsidize clients who need lower rates. You can ask any questions about this during the contact session.

You will pay for the sessions by bank transfer based on an invoice on a monthly basis. At the end of each month, you will receive an invoice with more detailed instructions.