ACCESS NL > What we do > Meet the Counsellors

Meet the Counsellors

The ACCESS Counselling Network, made up of the Counsellors listed below are at the heart of ACCESS. Every month two are on-call (Mon-Fri from 08:30-20:30) to receive your call for assistance, and will refer you to the most appropriate support you need. You can view their profiles below, and get in touch, or find out who is on-call, or contact them via this link.

If you have a referral letter from your huisarts, a course of counselling may be covered by your medical insurance policy although eigenrisico still applies, i.e. you may initially have to pay some of the amount yourself. It is advisable to check with your insurance company to obtain further information.

If you wish to join ACCESS Counselling Service Network, click here

Ann Kuis practice location(s): Rotterdam and Schoonhoven

Nationality: British/Scottish

Insurance: n/a

NIP: n/a

BIG: n/a

ACCESS Start date: March 2015

Qualifications

  • M.A. Counselling
  • B.Sc. Psychology
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies
  • Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy
  • Licensed Counselling Psychologist (DHA, UAE)

Practice description

Ann Kuis:  counselling and psychotherapy for adults, couples, teenagers and families.

“My approach is integrative and client-centred incorporating psychodynamic, psychoanalytical and cognitive behavioural therapies based on the individual needs of clients. Living and practicing abroad for 17 years in Singapore, Bombay and Dubai, I have extensive international clinical experience with a broad range of clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. I work with adults, couples, teenagers and families. “

Working from an integrative perspective, Ann utilises client-centred, cognitive behavioural, psychoananlytical and mindfulness therapy approaches depending on the specific needs of her clients.

Trained also in marital and relationship therapy, Ann has 17 years experience helping couples. As part of her couple therapy work and interventions, she incorporates Imago Therapy and Emotional Focussed Therapy approaches and techniques to facilitate the process of couples building more satisfying and fulfilling relationships.

Areas in which Ann can help individuals, couples and families, include, but are not limited to the following:

  • General discontent/unhappiness
  • Low self esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Stress/Burnout
  • Panic symptoms/Panic attacks
  • Phobia
  • Grief and loss
  • Postnatal and anti-natal depression
  • Infertility issues and challenges
  • Marital and relationship problems
  • Family problems/issues
  • Work-related problems
  • Anger management
  • Sexual orientation/gender issues

Languages used for counseling work

English

You can learn more about Ann Kuis by visiting her website:

www.annkuis.com

Ann is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Caroline van Diest practice location: Breda

Nationality: British

Insurance: Balens Insurance

NIP: n/a

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: September 2020

Qualifications

  • MSc Applied Social Learning Theory and Counselling
  • Registered Learning Disability Nurse
  • Accredited CBT Therapist (UK and Netherlands)
  • Emdr Trainer and Consultant

Practice Description

“I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Trainer, Consultant and CBT Therapist. I am also a mother, wife and animal lover who loves life and nature. Initially from England I now reside in The Netherlands.

My therapy and teaching style has been described as warm, natural, human, embracing, creative, adaptive and promoting safety and acceptance. I believe the therapeutic relationship is imperative to our work and where possible a dose of laughter can be helpful. I am accredited as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist with the BABCP (UK) and VGCT (Netherlands), EMDR Europe Approved Trainer and Consultant and provide therapy, counselling and supervision. Additionally, I enjoy working with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) practices.

I believe it is important for people to understand their experiences, thoughts, emotions and behaviours. I work collaboratively with clients to meet their goals for therapy. I offer a non-shaming and curious approach to exploring these areas. I have worked hard to develop not only my practice but support other services and therapists in providing high quality formulation driven therapy. I have worked within National Health Service, Private Companies and as an individual Practitioner.

I have a particular interest in working with people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and their families. I work with adults and older children. I have provided a number of presentations on adapting therapy approaches for this client group. I have presented at EMDR National and Regional conferences on adapting EMDR Therapy with individuals with ASC. I continue to provide clinical supervision for an extensive range of staff and services.”

Languages used for counseling work

English

You can learn more about Caroline van Diest by visiting her website:

http://www.caroline@synthesatherapy.nl

Caroline is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Carolyn Tabak practice location: The Hague

Nationality: British

Insurance: International only

NIP: yes

BIG: n/a

ACCESS Start date: December 2007

Qualifications

  • BSc Social Psychology
  • Diploma Counselling
  • MSc Integrative Psychotherapy
  • Diploma Integrative Supervision
  • EMDR Therapist
  • ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy)

Professional registrations

  • NIP (Nederlands Instituut van Psychologen)
  • UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)
  • MBACP (Registered member British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
  • EAP (European Association for Psychotherapy)

Practice description

“Psychotherapy practice for adults wanting to work individually, in-person or online. I have more than 30 years experience and am trained in a variety of approaches, as I don’t believe that one size fits all. Special interests include Insomnia, Withdrawing from anti-depressants, Anxiety, Mindfulness and its application in psychotherapy, Depression, Ageing and Menopause, integrating the body and mind.

I see my job as providing you with a warm and safe environment in which to support your exploration, healing and growth. As well as listening and assessing your needs, I will encourage you to take an active part in your healing process, giving you tools to practice outside of the sessions, which will help you make the changes you want.

I am British and Austrian – a Third Culture Kid. Born in Belgium, I grew up there and in Switzerland, and lived in the UK and in The Netherlands. I therefore have first-hand experience of the expat and TCK experience and the challenges and advantages that can arise as a result. I speak English, French, Dutch and some Italian but only work in English and French.

During my many years as a therapist, my practice has evolved through a number of areas that have provided me with a broad range of experience. I have worked in business, with the police, giving trainings as well as one-to-one assessments and coaching. I have taught on Counselling and Psychotherapy courses as well as teaching Personal Development on Business Masters. I have also worked as a case manager for an EAP (Employee Assistance Provider). These days I focus on my private practice. Together with psychotherapy, I provide clinical supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists, and support for the helping relationship for professionals in other helping roles, such as complementary health therapists, medical staff and lawyers.”

Languages used for counseling work

English and French

You can find more information about Carolyn Tabak by visiting her website:

Website: www.psychologies-unlimited.com

Carolyn is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Danielle Hollreiser  practice location: Online, The Hague & Amsterdam

Nationality: British, Dutch, German

Insurance: International and Dutch (NFG, Nederlandse Federatie Gezondheidszorg)

NIP: Yes (Reg no. 233753)

BIG: NA

ACCESS start date: January 2022

Qualifications

  • MSc Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology
  • University College London/The Anna Freud Centre
  • MA (Hons) Psychology
  • University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Clinical trainings:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (VGCT)
  • Schema Therapy (Basic & Advanced) (VGCT/ISST)
  • Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders
  • EMDR
  • MBT (Mentalization based treatment)
  • Drama Therapy

Diagnostics Assessments:

  • DIVA 5 & YOUNG (Diagnostics for AD(H)D).
  • SCID – II & 5 P (Diagnostics Assessment for Personality Disorders).
  • NIDA (Diagnostics for Autistic Spectrum Disorders).
  • Currently undertaking: Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Clinical Practice, University of Exeter

Professional registrations

  • NIP K&J
  • NFG: 9412 (Nederlandse Federatie Gezondheidszorg)
  • SKJ: 233753 (Kwaliteits Registeur Jeugd)
  • VGCT: 309974 (CBT-Therapeut i.o)
  • BPF (British Psychotherapy Foundation)

Practice Description

“Having a mixture of nationalities, being British, Dutch and German along with having lived in both the Netherlands and the UK, my international upbringing has enabled me to gain a deep insight into the challenges that expats face. It has also provided me with a profound awareness of different cultures and values. I am specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and EMDR and use a holistic approach to ensure that my treatments can be tailored to each individual’s needs and be as effective as possible.

I have several years of experience in working with a variety of complaints, some include: AD(H)D, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders (GAD, Specific Phobias, OCD and Social Anxiety), Cultural adjustment problems, Interpersonal difficulties, Relationship difficulties, Co-dependency issues, Self-esteem issues, Depression, Burn-out and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I provide private psychotherapy and coaching in English to children, adolescents and adults from a variety of cultural backgrounds. In addition to psychological treatments I also offer diagnostic assessments.”

Languages used for counseling work

English

You can learn more about Danielle Hollreiser by visiting her website:

https://www.therapynow.nl/danielle-hollreiser

Danielle is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Joseph Kindred location: Breda, NL, and online 

Nationality: American

Insurance: n/a

NIP: yes

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: September 20, 2023

Qualifications

  • Licensed (MS) Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and trained sex therapist 

Professional registrations

  • Nederlands Institut de Psycholoog #242463
  • American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
  • International member of National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists
  • American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Practice description

“I am a therapist who lives in Breda, in southern Netherlands. I am also a trained Sex Therapist and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Wisconsin, US. I am certified as an Anger Management Specialist, Level II, through the US based National Anger Management Association.

Areas in which I can help adult and teenage individuals, couples, families and relationships include, but are not limited to:

• Expat adjustment difficulties
• Cultural differences
• Loneliness / Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Stress / burnout
• Marital and relationship problems
• Sex therapy / intimacy support
• Neurodivergence / ADHD/Autism
• Gender, Sexual and Relational Diversity / GSRD/LGBTQIA
• Anger Management
• Work-related problems and needs
• Complex Medical and Disability Issues

I offer therapy for individuals, relationships, kids, teenagers and families.

My approach is integrative, using client-centered, solution-focused therapy, narrative and Somatic Experiencing approaches. I individualize my approach to match my clients’ needs. I have experience with cultural and gender differences, chronic illness and complex medical needs, sex therapy, medical trauma, childbirth and postpartum needs and education, anger management, body-based approaches and more. I often help people with loneliness, not fitting in, anxiety and other life challenges.”

Languages used for counseling work

English

You can learn more about Joseph Kindred by visiting his website:

https://expattheraphynl.wordpress.com

Joseph is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Karolina Fotyga practice location: Online, The Hague and Amsterdam

Nationality: Polish

Insurance: international (Cigna etc.)

NIP: n/a

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: November 2019

Qualifications

  • MA in Social Sciences
  • Certificate in Negotiations
  • 4 year post University degree in Psychotherapy and Counseling (individual & group)
  • European Certificate of Psychotherapy (awarded by European Association of Psychotherapy)
  • Nederlandse Associatie voor Psychotherapie
  • VMPSY
  • NVECP

Practice description

“I have over 12 years of experience in working with patients in individual and group setting. I also worked in psychiatric hospitals for 4 years. Before coming to the Netherlands, I had lived and worked in Poland, the US, and the Middle East -experiencing myself the ups and downs of the expat life.

In my practice, I provide long and short-term psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, parental coaching, workshops, and trainings. Modalities I’m trained at, and I use with clients are: Psychodynamic, DBT, MBT, EMDR, Intensive Trauma Treatment, and Mindfulness-Based Approach. Some of the areas I can help with are: personality disorders, trauma, depression, grief, anxiety, anger issues, personal growth. Many of my clients are expats dealing with adjustment and/or relationship issues.”

 

Languages used for counseling work

English and Polish

You can learn more about Karolina Fotyga by visiting her website:

Karolina is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Mariza Thanopoulou practice location: Amsterdam and online

Nationality: Greek

Language skills: English, Dutch, Greek

Insurance: n/a

NIP: Yes (215803)

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: September 2020

Qualifications

  • MSc in Clinical Psychology
  • Dutch Association of Psychologists (NIP)-NIP Psychologist
  • Member of Dutch Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (VGCT) and Dutch Association of Relationship and Family Therapy (NVRG)
  • Youth Quality Register (SKJ)

Practice Description

Mariza Thanopoulou offers psychological services aiming at promoting mental health & psychological wellbeing.  Treatment choices that perfectly match your needs and goals with respect to differences in background, values and attitudes.  Mariza has worked in various settings and countries and with different age groups.  She provides a range of psychological services to adults and young people.

“I am a psychologist with international background and professional registrations in Belgium and Greece. My way of working is eclectic and goal oriented. Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Systemic Therapy.

I offer services to individuals (adults and young people) and systems (couples and families). Issues I can help with are anxiety and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), phobias, mood disorders, adjustment difficulties, grief, self-esteem, work-related problems, relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – based group interventions also offered:

  • Guided self-help group for parents with children with anxiety (ages 5-12)
  • Psychoeducational Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills group for anyone interested (adults)”

Languages used for counseling work

English, Dutch and Greek.

You can learn more about Mariza Thanopoulou by visiting her website:

www.innerAssist.com

Mariza is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Nuria Maldonado Bellido practice locations: Utrecht (physically) and Worldwide (online).

Nationality: Spanish

Insurance: International.  Please contact your insurance company to know what may be covered.

NIP: Yes (#225619)

BIG: N/A

ACCESS Start date: November 2018

Qualifications

  • MSc. Psychology
  • Developmental Somatic Psychotherapist

Practice description

Nuria Maldonado Bellido is a Licensed Health Psychologist trained in Humanistic and Cognitive Psychotherapy approaches, for individual therapy and couples counseling.

“At my firm (Psychology within Reach), I apply my experience with anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, fear, panic and other forms of psychological suffering to offer support and guidance throughout all kind of painful paths, including but not limited to social/relational difficulties, burn-out processes, identity acceptance, migratory grief and copying with loss.

Being a Spanish woman living in The Netherlands gives me first-hand experience with difficulties my clients also live through. Moreover, working and training worldwide has also brought me into contact with many other cultures and life experiences.

This process of readjusting to new environments and cultures, even when it helps us grow and it might have been chosen, requires sacrificing part if not most of our support system, therefore it is not free of pain and it becomes a stressor to add to any life challenge (parenting, loss, career changes…). I work with my clients to recover their sense of ‘home’ by building a new ‘ground’ to support them.”

Languages used for counseling work

English and Spanish.

You can learn more about Nuria Maldonado Bellido by visiting her website:

https://psychologywithinreach.com (English and Spanish)

Nuria is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Petra Riedlin location: The Hague and online

Nationality: International

Insurance: International Insurance only

NIP: n/a

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: October 2023

Qualifications

• MA Philosophy
• DipCon Psychology
• Diploma Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• MA Counselling and Psychotherapy
• EMDR therapist (EMDR Europe certified)

Professional registrations

  • UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)
  • NIBIG (Nederlands Instituut ter Bevordering van Integrale Gezondheidszorg)

Practice Description

I am a UK trained integrative psychotherapist. I offer integrative therapy to adults/young adults (age 16+). This form of therapy is tailored to you, integrating different models and theories in a considered way. I draw from a range of theories and interventions that best suit you. This way of working can help you understand how you operate in the world, what drives you forward and what might be holding you back because sometimes what is holding you back can be linked to early trauma(s) or a firmly held belief. In our work together we can come to better understand this. I can offer trauma informed interventions, such as EMDR, to help process and work through these with the aim to allow more flexibility and movement into your life. The work can be short term or open ended depending on your needs. I am a warm, caring and thoughtful practitioner. I will bring my 15 years of experience to attend to you and that which brings you to therapy.

Areas of expertise: (Early preverbal) Developmental trauma

About me: I am an international; born in Japan, Dutch through birth, with English as my “native” language. I have lived in 8 countries and many more cities. Feeling strange and a stranger in a strange land is my normal!

Languages used for counseling work

English

You can learn more about Petra Riedlin by visiting her website:

www.petratherapy.com

Petra is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Sivan Weinstein practice locations: Online

Nationality: Israeli

Insurance: Yes

NIP: N/A

BIG: N/A

ACCESS start date: June, 2018

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Psychology, Clinical, PsyD, California, USA
  • Master in Art Psychotherapy MA, AT, AThR

Professional registrations

  • Member of the Federatie Vaktherapeutische Professions (FVP), Netherlands
  • Art Therapy Association Singapore (ATAS)
  • Australia and New Zealand Art Therapy Association (ANZATA)

Practice description

Private Clinical Psychology and Art Therapy clinic in Italy. Specialized in adults, couples and families in relocation, expatriation and repatriation, dealing with related challenges; stress, depression, anxiety, their effect on relationships and family members, shift of roles and challenges to adopt, changes of identity and personal growth.

“I have been working since 1998 in the Netherlands, Singapore, India and Israel, with a wide variety of clients. Diagnosis and treating a variety of conditions including: ADHD; Asperger’s; Autism; emotional difficulties; depression and behavioral problems; addictions; eating disorders; self-harm, divorce and more. Experienced in working with interdisciplinary treatment teams.  Supervision available for Art Therapist MA AT.  Workshops; relocation and repatriation, self-growth and more.  Working by appointment via online video sessions.”

Languages used for counseling work

English and Hebrew

You can learn more about Sivan Weinstein by visiting her website:

www.artherapy.nl

Sivan is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Stephanie Baumgarten-Kustner practice location: Voorburg

Nationality: American, but have now lived in the Netherlands longer than in the USA

Insurance: no contracts with insurance companies

NIP: 200750

BIG: in progress (see child and youth psychologist NIP)

ACCESS start date: December 2023

Qualifications

  • NIP & APA psychologist
  • Child and Youth Psychologist NIP (in process)
  • SKJ

Practice Description

“I am Stephanie Baumgarten-Kustner, a psychologist and educator with a journey that weaves through the academic landscapes of the University of Oregon, London University, and the University of Leiden. My diverse background has fueled a passion for understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by international children, adolescents and families. My professional journey encompasses clinical day-treatment settings, outpatient mental health facilities, and collaborative ventures with both the Dutch special educational system and international schools.

In recognizing the need for quality psychological support within multicultural and multilingual communities of The Netherlands, I’ve established a freelance practice committed to flexibility and convenience. Sessions extend beyond traditional hours, into weekends, and across various locations, ensuring accessibility for all. As a mother of three multilingual/multicultural adult children, I understand the complexities of raising children in diverse linguistic and cultural environments, infusing my practice with both personal insight and academic expertise.

My specialization encompasses a spectrum of evidence-based therapeutic approaches. From emotion regulation training for adolescents (ERT) to rational emotive therapy (RET), short, solution-oriented (psycho)therapy with children and adolescents, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy for children and adolescents (DBT), – I tailor my services to meet the diverse needs of the client. Addressing gender dysphoria in educational settings, supporting immigrants with psychiatric problems, and championing discrimination and inclusion are integral facets of my practice. I bring not only a wealth of experience but also a heartfelt dedication to nurturing well-being within diverse communities.”

Languages used for counseling work

English and Dutch

You can learn more about Stephanie Baumgarten-Kustner by visiting her website:

www.baumgartenchildpsych.com

 

Stephanie is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Sylvia Silberg practice location(s): Rijswijk and Monster (near The Hague, Voorburg and Delft)

Nationality: Dutch

Insurance: DSW, VAN BREDA, BUPA

NIP: yes

BIG: yes

ACCESS Start date: April 1996

Qualifications

  • Doctorandus Clinical Psychology
  • MS Counselling Psychology (cum laude)
  • Eerstelijn Consulten

Practice description

Sylvia Silberg has been immersed in a diverse cultural environment for all her life. She was born in Munich, Germany and has then lived in Israel and now in the Netherlands where she obtained her M.A. of Clinical Psychology. For eight years she was employed as a psychologist at the Clinical Genetics Department of the Leiden University Medical Centre. Since 1996 she has been working in her private practice with the expatriate community as well as with Dutch clients treating different psychological problems and complaints no matter the cultural background or religious affiliation.

Her practice offers the following treatments:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety and phobias
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Stage fright
  • Relationship problems
  • Identity issues
  • Low self esteem
  • Burnout
  • Genetic disease
  • Infertility
  • Adjustment to migration
  • Transitions to (re)marriage
  • Parenthood and divorce
  • Issues of the mid adult years
  • Grief and bereavement

Sylvia works with different approaches and various schools of thought, this enables her to choose from a wide spectrum of treatment possibilities, to best suit your current difficulties and the goals that you want to achieve. Her credentials, clinical experience and international background have enabled her to understand the complexities of expat life and to help clients through this challenging process.

Languages used for counseling work

English, German, Dutch and Hebrew.

You can learn more about Sylvia Silberg by visiting here website:

www.sylviasilberg.com

Silvia is part of our Counsellors on Call team.

Vasiliki Loumpa, MSc., location: Rotterdam

Nationality: Greek

Insurance: Supplementary only

NIP: n/a

BIG: n/a

ACCESS start date: October 2023

Qualifications

  • MSc Systemic Psychotherapy
  • European Certificate of Psychotherapy
  • Systemic Supervisor
  • BA Social Worker

Additional Specialisms

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Advanced, ICEEFT certified training)
  • Non Violent Resistance, an approach aimed at supporting parents concerned about their child’s aggressive, controlling or self destructive behaviours
  • Systemic Supervisor registered with NVRG and UKCP

Professional registrations

  • Nederlandse Vereniging voor Relatie- en Gezinstherapie – NVRG
  • Nederlands Verbond voor Psychologen, Psychosocial therapeuten and Agogen – NVPA
  • Kwaliteitsregister voor therapeuten in de complementaire gezondheidszorg – RBCZ
  • UK council for Psychotherapy – UKCP
  • European Association for Psychotherapy – EAP

Practice Description

“I am a Systemic Therapist from Greece. I moved to Rotterdam in 2020 and founded Mitos, a Systemic Therapy Practice for families, couples and individuals.

Previously, I trained and worked in Ireland and the UK. I have years of experience working with individuals, couples, families and parents in adult, child and adolescent mental health services.

As a Systemic Therapist I specialise in relationships. Sometimes relationships difficulties can impact on our wellbeing. Sometimes it’s the other way around, our mental health or other difficulties impact on our most important relationships. And other times, we need the help of those close to us to get back on track. As a systemic therapist I specialise in helping people create changes in their lives through strengthening their significant relationships and their relationship to their self.”

Languages used for counseling work

English and Greek

You can learn more about Vasiliki Loumpa by visiting her website:

Website:  https://www.mitosrelationshiptherapy.com/

Vasiliki is part of our Counsellors on Call team.