How to get (Psychological) Therapy in the Netherlands? - A Short Guide for Expats

Finding your way in a country other than your own can be challenging in itself, let alone navigating the mental healthcare landscape. Things can become even more difficult if you don’t speak the local language. This is a very familiar scenario to many expats in the Netherlands. However, when transitioning into a new country, having the right support can be vital in ensuring a good start to this new chapter of your life. Finding the right care as an expat can still come with its own challenges, such as finding a therapist who speaks your language or matters related to costs and insurance. Whatever brings you to therapy or counselling, taking that step can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, develop healthier ways of coping with challenges, and enhance your overall sense of well-being. To help navigate the Dutch therapy system and demystify the process of finding the right support, we have created this guide to assist you on your way.

The Dutch mental healthcare system is a hybrid model that's both publicly regulated and privately delivered. All residents are required to have mandatory private health insurance. This insurance is subsidised by the government, making it accessible to most people.

Key Aspects of the Dutch Mental Health System

There are three main types of mental health providers based on their reimbursement contracts:

Public Sector (Fully Reimbursed): These are providers who have a contract with a specific health insurance company. If you see a contracted provider, your basic insurance policy will fully reimburse the costs after you've paid your annual deductible.

Public Sector (Partially Reimbursed): These providers don't have a contract with an insurer. Your insurance may only partially reimburse their services, leaving you to pay the difference. Some services might only be covered by supplementary insurance.

Private Sector (No Reimbursement): This includes providers who don't have a contract with any insurance company. You must pay for their services out of pocket.

Below, you can see the main differences between the public and private mental health care in the Netherlands:

Treatment is usually covered or partially covered by the basic (basis verzekeringen) or the supplementary (aanvullend verzekeringen) Dutch Health Care insurance.

Often not covered by insurance (out-of-pocket) and not reimbursed by insurance.

Requires a referral from your huisarts/ GP.

No huisarts/ GP referral needed.

Long waiting lists (several months to a year) are common.

Short waiting lists, often no waiting list.

Easier to find therapists who speak your preferred language.

Multilingual therapists exist, but it is harder to find, especially if you are looking for a language other than English.

Divided into two types:

Basic Mental Healthcare (BGGZ): Mild to moderate mental health problems, short-term therapy (about 12 sessions), brief and focused support.

Specialised Mental Healthcare (SGGZ): complex or chronic mental health problems, long-term therapy, in-depth treatment.

Mild to complex mental health problems, short to long-term therapy, treatment is often more in-depth.

Offers psychological support for problems that are not covered by health insurance, e.g., burnout, relationship problems, adjustment disorders, etc.

Public Sector

Private Sector

How to find a Therapist

Now that you have a rough understanding of the system, naturally, the next step is to find a professional or institution you would like to work with. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, if you wish to receive treatment that is covered by your health insurance, you will need to see your GP first and obtain a referral letter for a psychologist. Your GP might either address the letter to a specific therapy practice of their own or one of your choosing. The latter would allow you to choose a practice catering to specific wishes you may have, e.g., a therapist who speaks your language. You can search for practices via the Zorgvinder section of your health insurance’s website. This allows you to filter for practices with which your insurance has a contract. Other ways of finding a therapist, either in the private or public sector, are by searching through online directories such as Zorgkaart Nederland, expat forums, and websites such as IamExpat, or via recommendations from friends and family.

Starting Therapy

Once you have found a practice and have overcome the waiting time, you will typically first have an intake session. This may last an hour or even 90 minutes. During an intake session, the focus is on getting to know you and understanding your situation. The psychologist will ask questions about your current concerns, personal history, and relevant background (such as work, relationships, and health). They may also explore your goals for therapy and explain how they work, including confidentiality and practical details. The session is both an assessment and a chance for you to see if the psychologist feels like a good fit. By the end, you’ll typically agree on next steps, which could involve starting therapy, referrals, or deciding on a treatment plan. Regular treatment sessions usually last 45 or 50 minutes, and may take place on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

In order to make the most of therapy, it is important to be honest and open in your sessions, even if it can be a scary thing to do. Being vulnerable is undoubtedly scary, more so in a society that sometimes teaches us that vulnerability equals weakness. However, in reality, asking for help and showing a willingness to work on oneself is a sign of self-awareness and character strength. There is something brave about defying the stigma that is attached to asking for help. Furthermore, remember that your therapist’s main task is to hold this judgment-free, confidential space for you. Moreover, while your therapist may offer guidance, it is you who holds the steering wheel, gently navigating the course of your therapy and progress.

The process of getting therapy can seem daunting and overwhelming at first, but it might help to think of it as a process of exploring and discovering oneself more. Moreover, as progress may not always follow a linear path, know that small shifts are often meaningful. By reading this guide, you’ve taken the first step. If you are still left with further questions or you have decided to turn to a psychologist now, you are welcome to learn more about our team or reach out to us right away. We are happy to assist you.