Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Therapy for expats and internationals
You might be feeling a bit stuck. It’s a common story for those of us who moved to the Netherlands looking for a fresh start. Only to realize that our old habits, anxieties, or that loud inner critic managed to pack themselves into our suitcases and move right along with us. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy we can start unpacking those bags together.
Book a first session to get to know each other. It’s free of charge, with no waiting list or referral required.
Location
🏠 Leiden
💻 Online
Languages
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇪 Estonian
Useful Info
⏱️ No waiting list
🧍Adults 18+
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Changing the way you live starts by changing the way you act and react to things in your day-to-day life. That’s exactly what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT for short) is about.
CBT is one of the most well-researched and effective forms of therapy. It’s based on the idea that how we think (our cognitions) affects how we feel (our emotions) and how we act (our behaviors).
When we’re struggling, we often get caught in negative “loops.” For example, you might think, “I’m not doing enough,” which makes you feel anxious, which leads you to work until you’re burnt out, which eventually makes you feel even more exhausted and incapable. It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
During our therapy sessions we can look at these patterns together. I’ll help you identify the “pitfalls” in your thinking and practice with new ways of responding to the world. CBT is not about “positive thinking” (which can feel fake and dismissive), but it’s about balanced, realistic thinking and taking small, actionable steps to change the way you live your life.
Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy right for you?
CBT is an incredibly versatile tool. While it’s highly effective for specific mental health concerns, I view it as a way to build a mental toolkit for anyone. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used to address things like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Burn-out
- Trauma
- Phobias
- Perfectionism
- Identity
- Relationships
A little bit about me
Laura Ruusalu (She/Her)
While I’m a licensed therapist, I’m also an expat. I’m originally from Estonia and grew up moving between Finland and Norway before finally settling in the Netherlands. I know the specific sting of not quite belonging and the pressure to “make it” in a foreign country.
At Bloomwave Practice I provide English-speaking therapy, both in person in Leiden and online. I mainly work with expats, international students and LGBTQIA+ individuals, or anyone looking for support and direction. Therapy with me is evidence-based, and all about building a connection with you.
What you can expect from working with me
Free 30-minute session
Your journey begins with a free 30-minute online contact session, where we’ll explore how I can best support you.
Sliding scale pricing
I offer a sliding scale to keep therapy accessible, with rates based on your financial situation. €75 – €130 / hour
Personalised treatment
I use an integrative approach tailored to your individual needs and desires, always in collaboration.
Client testimonials
“Laura is amazing, as someone who intellectualises their feelings and experiences, finding a good psychologist is sometimes very difficult. However, Laura was heaven sent and has really helped me actually feel my feelings and process my traumas while also working on my triggers and coping mechanisms. Cannot recommend her enough. Thank you, Laura!”
– TK
“I had a very good experience with Laura. She is professional but also makes you feel very comfortable and made me realise things about myself that I still think about/use to this day (which is the first time this has happened for me in therapy). To me, this shows that Laura really listens to her clients.”
– ND
“Having tried various therapists in the past, I came in with feeling a little uneasy and curious to see how Laura from Bloomwave would address my issues and working together through therapy. I am a 22 year old female and I am extremely satisfied with my experience. In the past i often felt like I was not able to be fully understood. But with Laura I felt not only understood but also pulled out of my perceptions to think more critically and understand myself even better. Very professional and very good with helping one find comfort in the session environment. I hope to continue working with her for many sessions to come for my foreseeable future.”
– IW
Why choose Bloomwave Practice?
- Personalised, integrative approach
- Accessible rates based on your financial situation
- No waiting list, no referral needed
- Safe space, LGBTQIA+ affirmative
Ready to see if it “clicks”?
The first step is often the hardest, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s figure out your goals and see if we’re a good match.
Book a 30-minute online contact session today. I don’t have a waiting list, it’s free of charge and you’ll have no obligations afterwards. This first session is just a chance to see if we’ll work well together.