Here for you
My work is done primarily from an Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) perspective, even though I received training from different therapeutic backgrounds (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy). I integrate it with elements from the experiential therapy and attachment theory. Through the EFT modality, I help couples in distress navigate their way back to safety, reconnect with each other, and love fully again.
There is always hope for renewed love - despite your past difficulties, mistakes, hurts, or injuries. A restored emotional balance and a meaningful life is within reach. Healing your love bond is not only possible, but also available: it takes your desire to change, coupled with the right support and resources. I am here to be that support for you and your relationship!
Services
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling can be an enriching experience and a long-lasting investment into a thriving marriage. Whether you have known each other for a long time, or making your first steps into discovering each other, this experience is set up to help you uncover aspects of your future spouse of which you may be unaware. Common topics of discussion are around learning to communicate well, understanding and appreciating your differences based on your personality styles, family and cultural background, ethnic heritage, your dreams as a couple and a team, roles and expectations, resilience and conflict styles, and affirming areas of strength in your relationship. My hope for you is to get you the best start with married life by building a lasting connection.
Why Premarital Counseling?
The goal is to help you as a couple get clarity and peace of mind in moving toward marriage. Together, we will take the time to build a solid foundation for a thriving and long-lasting relationship through exploration of topics most relevant to you.
What are the benefits ?
Support in transition to marriage
Divorce prevention
Confidence in your decision to marry
Lower levels of marital conflict
Greater marital quality and satisfaction
What will you learn?
Strengthen the foundation of your friendship
Deepen intimacy, build trust, and strengthen commitment
Build a shared value and meaning system
Develop effective communication skills
Manage budgetary and financial matters
Adjust personal habits
Set boundaries between your marriage and family of origin
Invest in extended family, friends, and social circles or community
Establish marital roles, responsibilities, and priorities
Note: To get the most of our sessions together, I use the Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) assessment. An additional cost of $35 per couple applies when you use the assessment.
Couples Therapy
I am here to help you create connection, emotional security, and a lasting love relationship, whether you want to build, renew, or restore your relationship and bond with your loved one. Keeping love alive is an active process, which requires work and commitment. Your emotions, wants, and needs are central; these will guide you through the difficult period in your relationship, and help escape the negative cycle that brings out distress and distrust. We will focus on the essence of your relationship - wanting to be closer to your partner and more involved with each other. This will lead your love relationship toward a greater level of intimacy, trust, closeness, and friendship. My hope is that you both feel more seen, heard, understood, connected, valued, and loved.
Why Couples Therapy?
The goal is to help you as a couple strengthen your relationship, and find a renewed sense of connection and a stronger bond. Together, we will learn to foster safe and loving interactions, and speak the same language of the heart.
What can I help with?
Communication problems
Emotional distancing
Trust issues
Adjustment challenges
Differences in expectations
What will you learn?
De-escalate negative cycles of interaction
Access unacknowledged emotions, triggers, and actions
Identify your conflict patterns
Collaborate effectively to solve problems
Learn to re-create positive feedback loops
Change patterns and create new bonding
Provide emotional fulfillment and support for each other
Build greater intimacy and closeness through clear communication
Experience a deeply satisfying love relationship
Note: To better support you in the therapeutic process, I encourage couples to read together the book Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson. The book complements learning with what we do in sessions.
Practical information
Rates
Premarital & Couples Therapy: €135 (75 min) / €155 (90 min)
Individual Counseling: €100 (50 min)
*Evening rate (from 18:00): + €25 per hour
** Intensives are possible, upon request. Get in touch for more information.
Cancellations
Please provide 48 hours notice (weekend excluded) for appointment changes or cancellations; otherwise, the full session fee will be charged.
Insurance coverage
I am not affiliated with any Dutch health insurance provider, but you may be eligible for reimbursements of the costs incurred from counseling from international insurance providers. Please consult the conditions of your medical plan to see if counseling is covered.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality is extremely important. I, as your psychologist, am legally required to create a case file regarding your case, informed consent forms, and session notes.
As your psychologist, I must legally maintain your confidentiality. Your case file will only be shared with third parties with explicit written consent from you.
I work according to the Nederlands Instituut van Psychologen (NIP) Code of ethics, developed to safeguard the welfare of consumers of psychological services and the integrity of the profession.
Procedure
During the first session (intake), we will discuss your needs and options together, and depending upon your individual situation and the nature of the problem, we will determine therapeutic goals.
Complaints
If you have any complaints about counseling and / or my actions, I would appreciate it if you indicate this to me. You can either bring it up during our session or you can make a separate appointment with me. There may be misunderstandings that can be resolved in a conversation.
Another option is to contact me by email. I will respond to this in writing.
A third option is to submit your complaint to the complaints officer of P3NL from the Klacht & Company. This person is completely independent and supports you in submitting and further processing your complaint. You can download the complaint form from the P3NL here. You can fill this in and send it to p3nl@klachtencompany.nl.
For more details about the complaints’ procedure (in Dutch), click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) evidence-based?
EFT for Couples has been extensively researched over the last 25 years, and is currently the most evidence-based therapy for couples, with a substantial body of research supporting its effectiveness. Studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements in marital satisfaction. Recovery is stable and lasting with little evidence of relapse or distress. A review on the research done can be read here.
When is couple counseling contraindicated?
The major contraindications for EFT for couples are addictions, ongoing physical violence in the relationship, or an ongoing affair. Do you want to know more? Please get in touch.
How does couple counseling work?
You have done the first step by identifying you need support. Great progress! Counseling can be a challenging process and I appreciate that. We will start with an initial assessment (intake) to see if we are the right fit. Then we will make a plan based on your goals.
What is the duration and frequency of sessions?
Sessions are usually 75 minutes long and scheduled every week, unless otherwise recommended. On average couples need between 9-20 sessions in couple counseling, and between 3-5 sessions in premarital counseling.
Where is the practice located?
My practice is located in Amsterdam Center, on Oudezijds Voorburgwal. It is also possible to meet online.
