Fees
Fees, insurance and how therapy works in the Netherlands
A 50-minute online session with me costs €90, a 90-minute session costs €135, and the first 20-minute call is free. Sessions are self-paid: they are not covered by Dutch basic health insurance, and you do not need a GP referral.
Written and reviewed by İlayda Aydın, Psychologist (MSc) · Last reviewed
- Session
- 50 minutes, €90
- Extended session
- 90 minutes, €135
- First step
- Free 20-minute intro call
- Languages
- English or Turkish
- Where
- Online over Google Meet, anywhere in the Netherlands
- Referral
- Not needed, and no waiting list
- Insurance
- Self-paid, not covered by basic insurance
Booking and cancelling
You book directly in my online calendar and receive a Google Meet link by email. Sessions can be moved or cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours ahead.
How insured mental health care works in the Netherlands
Everyone living and working in the Netherlands has basic health insurance, and it does cover mental health care, through a set route:
- Your GP (huisarts) is the first step. Many GP practices have a mental health practice nurse (POH-GGZ) you can see at no cost.
- For more support, your GP refers you to basic or specialised mental health care (basis-GGZ or specialistische GGZ).
- Insured treatment requires a formal diagnosis, and its costs count towards your yearly deductible (eigen risico), which is €385 in 2026.
- Waiting times can run to weeks or months, and you choose from providers your insurer has contracts with.
Why some people choose private therapy
Private therapy means you can start without a referral or a waiting list, without a diagnosis in your medical file, in English or Turkish, with a therapist you have chosen yourself. The trade-off is that you pay for it yourself.
The insured route is the right one if your difficulties are severe, if you need a diagnosis or medication, or if cost is a barrier. If you are unsure, the free intro call is a good place to talk it through.
Supplementary insurance
Some supplementary (aanvullende) policies reimburse counselling only when the practitioner is a member of a specific professional association. Check your policy conditions before assuming reimbursement.
Frequently asked questions
An individual 50-minute session is €90, an extended 90-minute session is €135, and the introductory 20-minute call is free.
Mental health care is covered by Dutch basic insurance when you are referred by your GP and see a provider your insurer contracts with. My sessions are private and not covered by basic insurance.
Not for sessions with me. A GP referral is only needed for mental health care paid for by your health insurance.
No. The eigen risico applies to care paid by your basic insurance. Private sessions are paid directly and do not touch it.