Bloomwave Practice

Tag: Psychotherapy

  • AI in Mental Health

    AI in Mental Health

    If you’ve ever used ChatGPT or a similar AI language model as a pseudo-therapist, you’re not alone. In fact, its one of the most common uses for AI today, as it can offer comfort and even companionship and an increasingly lonely world. For many, it has real benefits, but research suggests it also carries significant risks, especially when it comes to more complex mental health issues.

    What are the benefits? What can it do better than a human therapist?

    • Fosters positive emotions – always validating and empathetic
    • Memory – bots don’t forget, and can easily access information from previous sessions
    • Accessibility – free, available 24/7 instantly, doesn’t get bored, tired or distracted
    • Non-judgmental – many find it easier to reveal their secrets to a chatbot, instead of taking a chance that another person may judge them
    • Knowledge base – they know everything about everything, and can provide great psychoeducation and any resources the user may need

    What can it help with?

    • Structuring your thoughts – AI can help you make a framework for your thoughts and give structure to what you would like to say, for example, in a conflict situation. Plus, writing it out is a great way to process in any case.
    • Providing psychoeducation – if you need simple information about mental health or psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression, it can be a great starting point, or if you want to learn about specific therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, internal family systems therapy, etc.
    • Offering coping skills – if you need specific coping skills to help you in a period of stress, AI can suggest some great options, just remember to take what you need and leave the rest.
    • Offering structured exercises and journaling prompts – do you want to journal but feel uninspired? Or maybe you’re looking for a connection-building exercise to do with your partner?

    Though these benefits are undeniable, keep in mind that if you do choose to use AI for the abovementioned tasks, remember its limitations, and proceed with caution.

    How can it hurt?

    Lack of the ‘human’ skills needed for therapy

    Across decades of psychotherapy research, one factor consistently predicts positive outcomes more than any specific technique: the therapeutic relationship, which is fundamentally a human social relationship. A psychologist can read body language, notice emotional shifts, offer empathy, and, importantly, know when to challenge instead of simply validate you.

    AI models are there to make money, and therefore are designed to keep you satisfied and engaged, causing an inability to provide criticism, which is a crucial part of therapy.

    Stigma and bias

    AI chatbots across the board show increased stigma for conditions such as alcohol dependence and schizophrenia. This is equally true for more complex and newer models, so simply ‘more data’ is not the solution here. Additionally, since AI systems are trained on human feedback, they often reflect the dominant demographic, therefore lacking understanding of nuanced experiences related to gender, sexuality, race, culture, neurodivergence or socioeconomic background. And while it is true that humans are biased in this way too, they have the potential to adapt based on lived clinical experience.

    Privacy and ethics

    These conversations are not protected by confidentiality like therapy sessions are, and your data may be collected for training bots and marketing, as well as other unauthorized use, identity theft, and scamming. There is also a lack of quality control, clinical oversight or meaningful external regulation.

    Dependence

    The 24/7 availability and validating nature can cause addiction and social isolation: since real human contact is often messy and imperfect, an AI companion can offer a security blanket. With loneliness already on the rise, this a real risk. This sort of on-demand emotional validation can also undermine resilience and autonomy, especially if you already have anxiety or low self-esteem.

    When does it become truly dangerous?

    Enabling distorted thinking

    Chatbots don’t deal well with chaotic and unpredictable situations, which is where human intuition has a great advantage. When it comes to complex mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, suicidality, self-harm, eating disorders, antisocial and aggressive impulses or delusions, engaging with AI can have devastating effects.

    The chatbots’ tendency to always validate may cause it to reinforce dangerous or delusional thinking, and encourage the user to act on their impulses. Even for those with milder issues, AI can encourage fallacies like catastrophizing or minimizing, instead of gently correcting them, as a therapist would.

    Crisis situations

    Since AI cannot assess whether the user’s view of reality is accurate, it might, for example, give a suicidal person detailed information on the highest buildings in their area, or encourage a frustrated teenager to cut their parents off. AI can’t know when one might need a higher level of care, or when to call emergency services. And the consequences can be catastrophic.

    So, ultimately, what’s the role of AI in mental healthcare?

    Like it or not, AI is here to stay, but it should be treated as a substitute, not a replacement for therapy, by therapists and clients alike. It can help you reflect, organize your thoughts, and bridge the gap where the human therapist is unavailable. However, as it stands today, it cannot  and should not act as a primary provider, especially in high-risk situations.

    If you are struggling, be it with anxiety, depression, identity questions, relationships, or feeling disconnected, speaking to a licensed psychologist remains the safest and most effective option. Technology may support mental health, but healing still happens in relationship.

    References

    Jesudason, D., Bacchi, & Bastiampillai, T. (2025). Artificial intelligence (AI) in psychotherapy: A challenging frontier

    Kuhail, M. A., et al. (2025). Human-Human vs Human-AI Therapy: An Empirical Study

    Moore, J., et al. (2025). Expressing stigma and inappropriate responses prevents LLMs from safely replacing mental health providers

    Olawade, D. B. (2024). Enhancing mental health with Artificial Intelligence: Current trends and future prospects

  • Asking for What You Need

    Asking for What You Need

    We all have different needs, and in an ideal world, we would get them met with ease, and feel no shame in accommodating ourselves. However, many of us have learned that having needs=being needy, from experiences in childhood with our caregivers, at school with teachers and peers, or from our first romantic relationships. This is especially true for neurodivergent people, and even more so if they were only diagnosed later in life.

    I am going to start with a personal anecdote – I recently was on vacation in a busy city, and while I was very happy to be there, I found myself getting quite overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people and noise that surrounded us. This is not news – I know I don’t deal well with noise and normally use noise-cancelling headphones when alone in these kinds of situations. However, since I was with a group of friends, I resisted getting them, for fear of seeming rude, antisocial, and even weak. However, as time went on, I found myself becoming more and more silent (and therefore, actually running the risk of seeming rude or antisocial!) as I got more and more overwhelmed. At some point, I decided to just wear the headphones, and it made my experience SO much better, and I was able to be present for my friends way better as well. But this got me thinking, why was it so difficult for me to make use of an accommodation that I know I need, with people who care about me and my wellbeing?

    The answer? Shame. And I want here to focus specifically on neurodivergent people.

    From a young age, many neurodivergent people are praised for “coping well” or “managing without help.” Over time, this creates deep shame around needing support at all (internalized ableism). And so you pretend you don’t need it. Psychologists call this masking—suppressing or compensating for neurodivergent traits to avoid social stigma. Masking is often protective, but it’s also exhausting. And when we hide our needs too long, burnout can follow.

    Therefore, asking for accommodations can feel risky, as you may fear that they are seen as special treatment, or you may be seen as lazy, difficult, or weak. However, let’s try to reframe accommodations as tools for access and self-knowledge, rather than privilege or special treatment.

    Here are a few examples:

    For ADHD: using noise-cancelling headphones, breaking tasks into smaller steps, or requesting clear written instructions.

    For autistic people: asking for predictable routines, avoiding sensory overload, or clarifying social expectations.

    In social life: asking friends to text instead of call, meeting in quieter places, or giving yourself permission to leave early.

    And here are a few practical tips:

    1. Name your needs clearly, even if just to yourself. Awareness is the first step to communication.
    2. Notice when you’re being too harsh on yourself and ask yourself: “Who’s standards am I trying to meet?”
    3. Practice asking for help in a safe environment – this could be with a specific person, such as a partner or close friend, or even in therapy.
    4. Start small – ask for one small accommodation and go from there.
    5. Connect with others – either online or in-person, seek out connection and community with other neurodivergent people. This will not only provide you with support, but also helps normalize asking for help. You can also brainstorm ways of asking for help with others.

    If you struggle with this, therapy can also help you identify the roots of shame and learn to treat your needs as legitimate. Several evidence-based approaches can be particularly effective:

    • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) helps soften self-criticism and reframe shame as a universal human emotion rather than a personal flaw (Gilbert, 2010).
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on living according to your values—even when fear or shame shows up (Hayes et al., 2012).
    • Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Schema Therapy can help uncover the “parts” of you that feel undeserving, lazy, or afraid of burdening others, and bring compassion to them.

    Therapy also provides a practice ground for asking for accommodations—a space to explore what it feels like to express needs without fear of judgement.

    In short, asking for what you need is not a weakness, even if it feels that way at first. Reasonable accommodations can help you enjoy your life a lot more and avoid burnout, and it’s worth learning effective communication about your needs!

    References

    Botha, M., & Frost, D. (2020). Autistic masking and the double empathy problem: Mental health and authenticity. Autism in Adulthood.

    Brown, B. (2006). Shame resilience theory: A grounded theory study on women and shame. Families in Society.

    Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion Focused Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge.

    Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change. Guilford Press.

  • Cultural Lens of the Therapist

    The cultural lens refers to the way a therapist’s own cultural background, values, and lived experiences influence their perspective on mental health, relationships, and emotional well-being. No one operates in a vacuum—both therapists and clients bring their unique cultural identities, beliefs, and biases into the therapeutic space.

    When these factors align well, therapy can be a transformative and deeply validating experience. When they don’t, misunderstandings can occur that impact the therapeutic relationship and treatment outcomes. While of course, your therapist does not need to share your cultural background, it might help if they do, and if you’re lucky enough to find one, it can be a better experience than, for example, speaking to someone who has no personal experience with it. However, this is not always possible, which is why finding a culturally competent therapist is so important, someone who is aware of and adapting to your specific needs.

    This lens affects:

    ✔ How mental health symptoms are understood (e.g., is distress framed as an individual issue, a relational problem, or a societal challenge?)
    ✔ How emotions and coping strategies are perceived (e.g., is crying seen as a healthy release, or a sign of dysfunction?)
    ✔ What is considered “healthy” or “normal” in different cultural and psychological contexts
    ✔ How therapy techniques are applied (e.g., an emphasis on self-exploration vs. practical solutions)

    A self-aware therapist acknowledges their own cultural lens and how it might shape their biases and therapeutic approach. They are able to adjust their framework to better understand and support their clients’ unique experiences rather than imposing their own perspectives onto the client.

    Why This Matters

    🔹 Alignment of values can enhance connection. If a therapist and client share similar values or life experiences, it can create a natural sense of trust and understanding.

    🔹 Unexamined biases can create disconnect. If a therapist unconsciously views a client’s way of thinking or coping as “wrong” based on their own worldview, the client may not feel heard.

    🔹 Cultural self-awareness improves adaptability. A therapist who is aware of their own assumptions and biases can be more flexible and responsive to clients with different perspectives.

    Common Cultural Gaps in Therapy (And How to Bridge Them)

    Sometimes, therapists and clients come from very different cultural or psychological perspectives, which can create misunderstandings. Below are some common cultural gaps and ways therapists can bridge them.

    1. Different Views on Emotional Expression

    In Western psychology, verbalizing emotions is often seen as healing, but in some cultures, keeping emotions private is a sign of strength. A therapist needs to therefore recognize when emotional expression is helpful and when it is uncomfortable for a client.

    🔹 Bridge the gap: Instead of assuming clients should “open up” in a certain way, therapists can explore different methods of expression, such as journaling, creative arts, or mindfulness practices.

    2. Individual vs. Collective Worldview

    Some clients (especially from Western cultures) prioritize self-exploration, independence, and personal growth. Others (from collectivist cultures) may prioritize family, community, and social harmony over individual needs. A therapist unfamiliar with these values might push for “self-discovery” when the client actually wants guidance on navigating relationships and responsibilities.

    🔹 Bridge the gap: Therapists can explore how clients define well-being and adjust interventions accordingly, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

    3. Stigma Around Therapy

    In some cultures, seeking therapy may be seen as a last resort for severe illness, rather than a proactive step toward well-being. Some clients may therefore feel hesitant or guilty about seeking support.

    🔹 Bridge the gap: A therapist can normalize therapy by framing it as a strength-based process and emphasizing its role in personal growth, stress management, and resilience-building.

    Finding a Culturally Competent Therapist

    If you’re seeking therapy, consider:

    ✅ Does this therapist understand my background and values?
    ✅ Do they seem open to different ways of thinking and healing?
    ✅ Are they self-aware about their own perspective and potential biases?
    ✅ Do I feel seen, respected, and understood in our sessions?

    Therapists don’t have to share your exact identity or experiences to be effective—but they do need to be culturally aware, adaptable, and committed to understanding your perspective.

    So, if you’re looking for a psychologist in The Netherlands who emphasizes cultural humility and an individualized approach—Bloomwave has you covered. Whether you’re dealing with symptoms of depression, anxiety, overwhelm or conflict in your relationships, help is available.

  • A Queer-Inclusive Approach to Therapy

    A Queer-Inclusive Approach to Therapy

    What Does It Mean to Be Queer-Inclusive in Therapy?

    Queer-inclusive therapy is more than just being open to LGBTQ+ clients. It’s about actively addressing the specific needs, challenges, and strengths of people across the spectrum of gender and sexual identities. This approach recognizes that identity and mental health are deeply connected, and it celebrates the diversity of each person’s journey.

    This leads us to the idea of ‘queering psychotherapy’, which is all about questioning traditional norms in therapy.

    With this in mind, we strive to:

    • Challenge heteronormativity
      Making the therapy context a safe space free of normative assumptions.
    • Embrace intersectionality
      Your identity is multifaceted, shaped by intersections of race, culture, socioeconomic background, ability, and more. Queer-inclusive therapy takes into account the richness of your experiences and how they interact with your mental health.
    • Empower self-definition.
      Rather than imposing labels or frameworks, we prioritize your power to define yourself on your own terms, making sure you feel seen.

    The benefits of a queer-inclusive practice

    1. Addressing Unique Challenges

    LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique stressors, including discrimination, rejection, and internalized stigma, that can profoundly impact mental health. A LGBTQ+ affirmative approach recognizes these realities and creates a safe space to explore them without judgment.

    2. Combating Minority Stress

    Minority stress can manifest in anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Therapy offers tools to navigate and heal from these experiences.

    3. Creating Affirming Spaces

    A safe space where one feels affirmed and respected in therapy lays the groundwork for meaningful progress.

    How to find a queer-inclusive therapist?

    Finding a suitable therapist can be a stressful experience, as you may wonder: Will I have to explain myself and teach the therapist about my identity? Will I be judged? For this reason, it’s important to do some more research into different therapists, and look beyond the LGTBQ+ friendly label. It might be important for you that the therapist is queer themselves, in which case, search for someone who has that explicitly stated on their website.

    Here’s some additional tips:

    1. When exploring the therapist’s website, look for language that signals affirmation: can you find phrases such as inclusivity, intersectionality. Do they have their pronouns on their website? Do they have any information about working with queer people specifically? If yes, that’s usually a good sign.

    2. See what their stance on non-normative relationships is, are they curious about non-traditional life paths? If you see mentions of ENM or polyamorous relationships, for example, it’s a good sign that they won’t assume defaults when it comes to your relationships and life choices.

    3. Check whether they value collaboration. This is signaled by phrases such as client-centered, collaborative, or integrative, and suggests they will be willing to adapt their approach and check in with you every step of the way.

    4. Don’t only rely on the website, but use the first consultation to check for test the fit:

    • Do they ask for your pronouns, and use them correctly without hesitation? Do they offer their own without you having to ask?
    • Are they comfortable and when you mention queerness and your relationship style? Do they seem educated on these topics?
    • Do they use gender-neutral language, such as ‘partner’, rather than boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife? Do they stay curious, rather than making any assumptions?

    If you can answer yes to these questions, it’s likely you’re in good hands. Make sure to also listen to your gut feeling, if something ‘feels off’, even if you can’t put a finger on it, it might be worth looking into a different therapist. Additionally, even if you’ve already had a couple of sessions, if something feels off, you are allowed to stop seeing them, if addressing it with them does not feel safe to you – an inclusive therapist should always take your feedback into account.

    Queering Therapy Beyond LGBTQ+ Clients

    Queering psychotherapy isn’t just for LGBTQ+ individuals—it’s a mindset that benefits everyone. By challenging traditional frameworks, this approach invites all clients to explore their identities and deconstruct societal norms.

    For example:

    • A cisgender, heterosexual client might explore how traditional expectations of masculinity have affected their mental health.
    • A client in a non-traditional relationship structure such as polyamory will find therapy a safe and nonjudgemental space.

    Queering therapy promotes inclusivity and awareness across all aspects of life and relationships.

    The Path Forward

    A queer-inclusive approach to therapy is about more than just creating a safe space—it’s about building a future where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves. At Bloomwave, we’re here to support you, whether you’re navigating the complexities of identity, healing from stigma, or simply looking for a therapist who understands and affirms you.

    References

    Tilsen, J. (2021). Queering Your Therapy Practice: Queer Theory, Narrative Therapy, and Imagining New Identities

    Tilsen, J., & Nylund, D. (2010). Resisting normativity: Queer musings on politics, identity, and the performance of therapy

  • Why Expats Benefit from Therapy

    Why Expats Benefit from Therapy

    So you made the courageous decision to move abroad – packed up your life and found yourself in a completely new situation. Living as an expat, or immigrant, in the Netherlands can be an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience, especially in beautiful student cities like Leiden or Delft, but it also brings a new set of unique challenges that many expats may find difficult to navigate. You might struggle with the language barrier, miss friends and family back home, or find it difficult to adjust to the Dutch way of living. Therapy can provide essential mental health support to help you bloom in your new home.

    Especially if your move is permanent (or just more longer-term), you may grapple with the ramifications of leaving behind your old life, friends and family. Parents and grandparents get older, children in the family grow up, and this is something you no longer can witness as closely as you used to be. You might feel torn: on one hand, you really want to focus on building a new life and future for yourself in your new environment, and on the other hand, really miss what you left behind, and feel the desire to be close to family as they age. All of this is very complicated, and feeling alone in the dilemmas can easily become overwhelming.

    Here are five reasons why therapy can be invaluable for expats:

    1. Navigating cultural adjustment

    Moving abroad often means having to adjust to different social and cultural expectations, language barriers, and even the weather. You may find that people in the Netherlands are a bit more direct than you’re used to or struggle with finding housing or arranging healthcare, for example. These frustrations may snowball into feelings of depression, anxiety or loneliness. This is where a culturally-informed English-speaking therapist can come in to help. At Bloomwave, we know first-hand what’s it like to be an expat in the Netherlands, and have experience in navigating many of the practical challenges you may be facing as well.

    2. Managing loneliness

    Becoming an expat of course means leaving your old support system of friends, family and other loved ones behind, and being faced with the task of forming a new social network and keeping long-distance relationships alive. Loneliness is one of the most common mental health problems among expats, and especially in the Netherlands, you may find it difficult to integrate into already-formed Dutch social systems. Therapy can help you work through these feelings of isolation and learn new ways of coping with them. Additionally, therapy helps you improve your communication and relationship skills that are invaluable in finding community abroad, but also in strengthening your relationships with people back home.

    3. Exploring your identity

    Moving abroad might also challenge your identity in both positive and negative ways – you may start to question old values or develop new beliefs. You may not feel like you’re from anywhere, for example, and this leads to a lot of confusion. At Bloomwave, we believe in the power of therapy in really helping you understand yourself and what it is you want out of life. Through various methods, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, we can help you make sense of your new identity and empowers you to live more fully.

    4. Addressing mental health stigma

    For many expats, seeking therapy can feel like stepping into uncharted territory, particularly if they come from cultures where mental health support is stigmatized. The Netherlands, however, offers a progressive and inclusive environment where therapy is widely accepted and accessible.

    At Bloomwave, we’re dedicated to creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you feel safe to explore and grow. Our intersectional, anti-racist, anti-ableist, and LGBTQ+ affirming approach ensures that therapy is tailored to your needs and values. We can even address internalized stigma and help you normalize seeking support during our sessions.

    5. Coping with work or study stress

    On top of navigating new cultural environments, expats in the Netherlands often experience higher levels of work or study stress. Balancing studies with personal life may often lead to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. Likewise, adapting to a new job and work culture, or dealing with career insecurity is a common challenge for expats. If unmanaged, these issues can lead to burnout. In therapy, you can work on adjustment to new challenges, building routines that work for you on an individual level and learning new stress management techniques.

    Becoming an expat is a challenging experience – you should not have to face this alone. Through therapy, you can learn valuable skills to make the most of your life in the Netherlands and turn your challenges into success stories.

    References

    Platanitis, P. (2018). Expatriates emotional challenges and coping strategies: A qualitative study

    Djundeva, M., & Ellwardt, L. (2020). Social support networks and loneliness of Polish migrants in the Netherlands