Here are some of the most common questions that clients have:
What does the name of the Practice mean?
I named my practice The Light Wave Psychologists Practice because in my opinion, it portrays that which therapy should aspire for. Therapy should bring a wave of bright light into your life.
What other services do you offer?
Beside individual therapy, which is given in English, Hebrew and Dutch, I also offer consultations, psychological advice/guidance, psychological evaluations, assessments and workshops. I am believe in accessibility and thus beside via emails, my clients can always call me when they need help during crisis or just for advice.
Where and when can I make an appointment?
I know that it can be difficult to take the first step and to ask for psychological help. That is why I advocate a quick start of sessions and eliminating waiting lists as much as possible. My clients generally start a few days after they have contacted me. I also meet clients after working hours as well as in the weekend. I am flexible and I try to accommodate my clients’ schedule as much as I can. Furthermore, I think it’s important for client to be in their comfort zone. As many of my clients are expats who live in Amsterdam, may main office is in Amsterdam. However, if clients prefer it, I could also arrange to meet them in Den Haag.
What happens in the first 2 session?
The first session has a few functions. You are invited to share your story and the reasons that you are seeking my help. It also gives you the opportunity to see how you feel and decide whether I am a good fit for you as a psychologist. Additionally, practical information about the therapy is also provided in the first session, such as various mutual expectations, cancellation rules, billing, etc.
In the first two sessions the psychological assessment takes place. Besides the gathering of crucial background information and the psychological assessment (includes questionnaires and/or psychological tests), the purpose of the intake sessions is also to draw up a treatment plan, which suits your needs, goals and wishes. The treatment plan is finalized after the results of the psychological assessment are discussed and then the therapy starts.
What can I expect from therapy?
Psychotherapy is a process of change and growth that occurs in the context of a respectful, comforting, validating and empathetic therapeutic relationship with your psychologist.
The session take place in a safe and non-judgmental place in which you can say whatever you want and express all that you feel. Therapy is a collaborative process that is tailored to fit YOUR needs. The therapy I do is short term, focused and problem-solving orientated.
You will be actively involved in your own recovery. I will encourage you to read about the problem, keeping records between appointments and complete assignments in which the skills and the techniques that you will learn can be practiced in your daily life. You will also achieve new insights that will enable you at the end of the therapy to be self-reliant and your own therapist. After a while a psychological evaluation of current status/outcome will take place. Then we shall discuss the progress and make future plans regarding termination or the continuation of the therapy.
How long will I have to be in therapy?
Therapy can range from a few sessions that quickly help you get back on track to a more intensive and a longer process. Each person is unique, each person’s life experience and circumstance is different and thus the length of time differs too. From my experience, clients who commit the time and emotional energy to do the work and apply all that we have discussed during the session in their daily live, also finish therapy in a shorter time.
Are you protecting my privacy?
Confidentiality is guaranteed. Your privacy is protected and all data will remain confidential. Unless you choose to tell others yourself, no one will ever know that you are in therapy. Should you wish to share your dossier with a third party i.e. your medical practitioner, you will need to sign a written consent form. Upon completion of the therapy, I am required by law to still keep your personal file for at least a year (based on the code of ethics for psychologists, 2007).
Are you ready to stretch out your hand and seek the professional help you need?
If you still have doubt click on this slide show and watch my answers to common Fears and misconceptions about therapy