Frequently Asked Questions
 

What is your therapeutic approach?

I’m trained in several modalities (client-centered, CBT, psychodynamic therapy, schema therapy, EMDR; see credentials) and integrate these to find what works best for the client, where mutual feedback is essential. Though a therapist knows something about the psyche, you are the expert of your own experience.
 

Do you accept new clients?
Unfortunately we are full, feel free to contact us in a few months for possible openings.

What are the fees if I have a Dutch health insurance?
For clients with a Dutch insurance the NZA (Dutch Health Authority) tariffs for 2024 are:
- Intake/Diagnostics:  €211,06  (60 minutes).
- Psychotherapy session: € 186,80 (60 minutes) or €156,72 (45 minutes).

A restitutiepolis offers the best reimbursement options for 'ongecontracteerde zorg', but it is the client's responsibility to contact their insurance about their actual coverage.

Consultations via telephone, answering emails and text messages will also be included to the total treatment time. Making or rescheduling an appointment are excluded of any direct costs.

Do you have contracts with insurance companies?
No and I’ll gladly explain why. 

We decided this because we were spending more time negotiating contracts with insurance companies, rather than offering counseling for our clients. Moreover, we believe that insurance companies shouldn't decide which treatment ought to be reimbursed and for how many sessions. That should be decided by the psychotherapist and the client.

 

We are a private practice that is considered an out-of-network provider ('ongecontracteerde zorg'). What that means is that you will pay us for sessions and then seek potential reimbursement from your insurance. Depending on your plan you may receive full, partial or no reimbursement. So we recommend you contact your insurance first about your plan and provide Patric Esters’ BIG code, AGB code and other necessary credentials.

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We have seen that many international insurances fully reimburse our clients whereas Dutch insurance companies tend to reimburse 50 - 80% of the costs. Unless you have a restitutiepolis, in which case Dutch insurances tend to pay 100% of the treatment with exception of the yearly own risk costs. 

If you prefer to keep complete anonymity by paying yourself and not informing your insurance, that is also possible.

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This overview gives you an indication of the reimbursement options of Dutch health insurers: 

(see https://contractvrijepsycholoog.nl/vergoedingen-2024/)

Do I need a referral letter from my GP / family doctor?
If you want to be eligible for (partial) reimbursement of the costs by your insurance company a referral letter is required. If you want to remain fully anonymous and pay out of pocket, that is also possible.
Generally, we do encourage you to speak to your doctor (and other involved health practitioners) about all medical and psychiatric concerns.

Are your services confidential?
Yes, absolutely. Everything that you share will remain confidential. Your insurance will only know, if you let them know.

We only breach confidentiality if we are legally obliged to do so, or in case a client or someone else is in imminent danger - please note that this is extremely unlikely.

Do I have to have a clinical diagnosis to receive counseling? 
No, that’s not necessary.

Different from most Dutch clinics, where you have to have a DSM-5 diagnosis before getting support, we do not label our clients unless necessary or if there is an added value. 

What happens if I miss my appointment?
Unfortunate things can happen, so please inform us as soon as possible if you cannot make an appointment. If you have not cancelled 24 hours in advance we will request the full session fee.

I think my son/daughter needs support, how do we proceed?
First, speak to your child before deciding for them, especially if they are teenagers. 

For children under 16 years of age, we are legally required to have the signed permission of both parents/legal guardians. We will provide you with all the intake forms before our first meeting. Please bring the signed forms with you to our first meeting.

Do you offer a free first session/intake?
I'll gladly schedule a free 15 minute call to briefly discuss your situation, but no intake sessions free-of-charge are provided.

What happens in the first meeting?
In our first meeting, an intake is conducted where all basic information is gathered in order to start the therapeutic process.

For teenagers, I first speak with parents and teenager together and then give the option to speak alone with the teenager. Sometimes this helps, as teenagers may not want to share all of their concerns in front of their parents.

 

Do you offer clinical internships or are you hiring?
Not currently.

Do you offer consultations and/or supervision for other psychologists?
Yes, gladly.
 

Do you offer lectures, consultations and workshops for organizations/companies?
Yes, I regularly work with organizations regarding (expat) mental health and wellness topics.

Belonging, mobility, attachment, stress, anxiety, TCK's and multicultural communication, empathy, psychotherapy and parenting are examples of possible topics. I have worked with multinationals, international schools, NGO's and universities. Email us with your request and options to schedule a call. 

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