“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
— Carl Rogers
Free Resources
Trusted information, helplines and simple exercises for adults, young people and families.
Finding your way around mental health care can feel overwhelming, especially in a new country or a second language. I have gathered the resources I most often share with clients: how support works in the Netherlands, help with life abroad, exercises you can try at home and guidance for parents. Everything here is free to use.
Finding the Right Support
Not sure where to start? There are a few routes to psychological support in the Netherlands, and the right one depends on what you need.
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In the Netherlands, your GP is the usual first step for almost all care, including mental health. It helps to register with a GP practice near your home as soon as you can. Your GP can talk things through with you, involve the practice's mental health support worker (POH-GGZ), or refer you on.
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Many GP practices have a POH-GGZ, a practitioner who offers a small number of appointments for milder psychological difficulties. This is part of GP care, so it is covered by basic health insurance and you do not pay your eigen risico (deductible) for it.
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For more complex difficulties, your GP can refer you to insured mental health care (GGZ). This is covered by basic health insurance, and your eigen risico applies. Waiting times can be long. If you are waiting longer than expected, your health insurer can help you find another provider.
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Some people prefer to see a psychologist privately. At Methexis Psychology:
you don't need a GP referral;
sessions are paid privately and are not billed through your health insurer;
sessions are in English or Greek;
waiting times are short, and you can usually book within one to two weeks.
If what you need goes beyond what I offer, I will tell you honestly and help you find the right route.
Someone to Talk to
De Luisterlijn: +31 88 076 7000. A listening ear for adults (18+) with loneliness or worries, by phone day and night or by chat. Anonymous; normal call charges apply.
Veilig Thuis: 0800-2000 (free). Advice and reporting for domestic violence and child abuse, 24 hours a day. You can call anonymously.
Life Abroad and Transitions
Moving country changes many things at once: language, work, friendships, even how ordinary tasks get done. Feeling unsettled, lonely or “in between” for a while is common. It does not mean you made the wrong choice.
Practical Help in The Hague
ACCESS: a volunteer-run not-for-profit, founded in The Hague in 1986. Free helpdesk for internationals, plus a Counselling Services Network.
The Hague International Centre: the city's information point for internationals, City Hall (Atrium, Spui 70, 2511 BT Den Haag, +31 70 353 5043).
Things That Often Help
Build a simple weekly routine early on.
Find one regular place to see the same people.
Stay in touch with home in a way that supports you.
Allow mixed feelings: you can be glad you moved and still miss home.
Be patient with yourself. Settling in takes time.
Tools to Try
Short exercises you can use on your own or between sessions. Download them, print them, or keep them on your phone.
· 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding ·
Bring yourself back to the present when anxiety or memories take over.
· Mood and Worry Diary ·
Notice patterns in what you feel, when, and what helps.
· Slow Breathing ·
A few minutes of steady breathing to help your body regulate and settle.
· Self-Compassion Break ·
Three steps for difficult moments, based on the work of Dr Kristin Neff.
For Parents
Where to Start in The Hague
CJG Den Haag: child health and development, from babies to teenagers.
Jeugdhulp Den Haag: questions about parenting and growing up.
NJi: reliable parenting information (formerly opvoeden.nl).
For Your Child, and for Safety
De Kindertelefoon (ages 8–18): 0800-0432, free, every day 11:00–21:00, or chat.
Veilig Thuis: 0800-2000, free, 24 hours a day, anonymous if you wish.
· Calming Exercises for Children ·
Playful ways to help your child settle when feelings get big, plus a “feelings thermometer” to fill in together (ages 4-11).
I work with children in person and with adolescents in person or online. As a Master-psycholoog registered with SKJ (Kwaliteitsregister Jeugd), I meet the Dutch quality standards for professionals working with children and young people.
Recommended Reading
Books I often recommend to clients. I have no connection with the authors or publishers.
Reinventing Your Life — Jeffrey E. Young and Janet S. Klosko
An accessible introduction to the “lifetraps” described in Schema Therapy.
Breaking Negative Thinking Patterns — Gitta Jacob, Hannie van Genderen and Laura Seebauer
A practical Schema Therapy workbook for recognising and changing the modes we get stuck in.
Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff
Why being kinder to ourselves helps more than self-criticism.
Third Culture Kids — David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken and Michael V. Pollock
The classic book on growing up among different cultures.
The Whole-Brain Child — Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Practical ideas for helping children understand and manage big feelings.
Differently Wired — Deborah Reber
A warm, practical guide, written by a parent, for families of children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, giftedness or other neurodifferences.
Would It Help to Talk?
Reading and exercises can go a long way, but sometimes it helps to think things through with someone. If you would like to explore whether working together is right for you, I'm happy to hear from you.
The information on this page is general and for information only. It is not a substitute for personal advice, diagnosis or treatment. I check these resources regularly, but organisations can change their details, so please confirm on their own websites. Methexis Psychology is not responsible for the content of external websites. Last checked: October 2026.
Need Urgent Support?
Methexis Psychology is not an emergency service. If you are in a crisis or need immediate help, please contact one of the services listed below.
112: call for any emergency, anywhere in the EU.
In the Netherlands — 113 Suicide Prevention (Zelfmoordpreventie): call 113 or 0800-0113 (free), 24/7. English support at www.113.nl/english.
In the Netherlands — Huisartsenpost: your GP's out-of-hours service. In The Hague, call Hadoks on +31 70 346 9669.
In Greece — Klimaka Suicide Prevention: call 1018 for 24/7 support.
In Greece — 10306 National Psychosocial Support Helpline: call 10306, free and anonymous. Psychological support is available 24/7, with dedicated support for families, children, and adolescents.
Elsewhere in the EU — 116 123: a shared EU crisis line for emotional support. Not yet activated in every country: call 116 123 or search for your own country's crisis line if unsure.
Whatever brought you here, you don't have to figure it out alone.