Finding an English-Speaking Therapist in Amsterdam: What You Need to Know
- Georgiana Verdonk-Sim
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
You remember what it felt like to be okay.
Maybe it wasn't that long ago. You were present, engaged, moving through life without this constant weight. And then something shifted — gradually or all at once — and now you're carrying something you can't quite name, and it's affecting everything.
You're not sleeping well. You're not fully present at work, or at lectures, or with the people you love. You feel alone in it, even when you're surrounded by people. And somewhere underneath all of it is a quiet but persistent thought: I just want to feel like myself again.
If that's where you are right now, this post is for you.
Why finding help in English in the Netherlands is harder than it should be
Living in the Netherlands as an expat, international student, or young professional comes with its own particular challenges. The Dutch mental health system (GGZ) is thorough — but it comes with long waiting lists, Dutch-language barriers, and a referral process that can feel like yet another obstacle when you're already exhausted.
Many people spend months trying to find a therapist who speaks English fluently, understands the international experience, and has availability within a reasonable timeframe. By the time they find someone, they've often been struggling far longer than they needed to.
I set up my practice specifically to address this gap. I'm Georgiana Verdonk-Sim, an NFG-registered and NAP-affiliated psychologist based in Amsterdam. I work entirely in English, with professionals, expats, and young adults across the Netherlands — online throughout the week, and in person every Wednesday at my practice in Amsterdam Zuid. Wait times are short, and you don't need a GP referral to book.
Who I work with
Many of my clients are young adults who are experiencing anxiety for the first time and don't fully understand what's happening to them. They're navigating university, early careers, new cities, new relationships — and somewhere along the way, life started to feel unmanageable.
They come to me with panic attacks, overwhelm, eating difficulties, a feeling of numbness or disconnection, or simply the sense that they're not fully present in their own life. They often tell me they feel completely alone in what they're experiencing — that no one around them seems to be struggling in the same way.
What strikes me most in those first sessions is how long they've been carrying this quietly. Their family and friends can see the distress. They themselves know something is wrong. But reaching out for help felt like admitting defeat, or like they were making a fuss over nothing.
They weren't making a fuss. And they weren't alone.
I also work with professionals managing burnout, grief and loss, high anxiety, brain fog, and the kind of slow-burning exhaustion that comes from holding everything together for too long. What my clients share — regardless of age or background — is that they want to be heard without judgment, and they want to find their way back to themselves.
What therapy with me actually looks like
My approach is not one-size-fits-all. I draw on a range of evidence-based methods — including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and Polyvagal Informed Therapy — and I adapt these to what each individual needs, session by session.
What this means in practice is that we don't follow a rigid programme. We follow you.
Some clients need structured tools to manage panic attacks or intrusive thoughts. Others need space to process grief or loss that has never been properly acknowledged. Others are dealing with a body that has stopped cooperating — exhaustion, brain fog, disordered eating — and need to understand the emotional load that's driving those physical symptoms.
Whatever brings you in, the first thing we do is slow down. We create a space where you don't have to perform, manage, or explain yourself in the way you do everywhere else. Many clients tell me it's the first time they've felt truly listened to — not advised, not fixed, just heard.
From there, we build. We identify what's underneath the anxiety or the numbness or the overwhelm. We develop practical tools you can actually use. And gradually, the things that felt unbearable start to feel manageable.
You don't need a referral — and you can start quickly
Unlike the GGZ system, private practice therapy requires no referral from your GP (huisarts). You book directly, and in most cases you can have your first appointment within a week or two.
Your first session is a 50-minute intake. We talk about what's been going on, what you're hoping for, and how I work. There's no pressure and no commitment — it's simply a conversation to see whether we're a good fit.
If you're not sure whether therapy is right for you yet, I also offer a free 15-minute introductory call. No paperwork, no commitment — just a chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether you'd feel comfortable working with me.
What I've seen happen
Time and again, I've watched clients arrive carrying something they've never said out loud to anyone — and leave that first session looking lighter. Not because the problem is solved, but because they've finally been heard.
Over the course of our work together, I see real shifts. The young adult who couldn't imagine their future begins to move toward it, one small step at a time. The professioinal who hadn't slept properly in months starts to feel their nervous system settle. The person who had lost all sense of who they were — beneath the anxiety, the exhaustion, the grief — begins to find their way back.
Progress in therapy is rarely dramatic. But it's real. And it is possible — even when it doesn't feel that way right now.
A note on costs and insurance reimbursement
Sessions are self-funded, but partial reimbursement may be possible through your aanvullende verzekering (supplementary health insurance). As an NFG-registered and NAP-affiliated psychologist, curative therapy sessions with me may qualify for reimbursement with a wide range of Dutch insurers — including VGZ, Menzis, CZ, and Zilveren Kruis — depending on your plan. Coaching and guidance sessions are generally not reimbursed.
I recommend checking with your insurer before your first session, as coverage varies. For a full overview of which insurers reimburse NFG-registered practitioners: 👉 NFG Reimbursement Information
Taking the first step
The clients I work with often tell me that reaching out was the hardest part. Not because the process was complicated — but because admitting they needed support felt like giving up on managing alone.
It isn't giving up. It's the moment things start to change.
If you're ready to talk, or just want to find out more, I'd love to hear from you.
📞 Book your free 15-minute introductory call 📍In-person: Amsterdam Zuid, Wednesdays 💻Online: Throughout the Netherlands, flexible hours
If you need urgent support
If you are in immediate crisis or feel unsafe, please don't wait for a therapy appointment. Reach out to one of these free services available in the Netherlands:
113 Zelfmoordpreventie — call 113, or chat online at 113.nl — available 24/7, anonymous and confidential. You can ask for an English-speaking counsellor.
Emergency services — call 112
Huisarts (GP) — your GP can refer you to urgent mental health support
You don't have to be at breaking point to use these services. If you're struggling and need to talk to someone right now, please reach out.
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