Yes. Before we begin, we'll have a short introductory call — a chance for you to ask questions, get a sense of how I work, and see whether it feels like a good fit. There's no pressure and no commitment involved in that conversation.

The first session is about getting to know each other and beginning to understand what you're carrying. I'll ask about what brought you in, a bit of your background, and what you're hoping the work might offer you.

You don't need to arrive with a polished account of your situation. Many people don't. We start where you are.

Sessions are 50 minutes. Most people meet weekly, at least at the start — the regularity matters. As the work develops, we can talk about what rhythm makes sense for you.

There's no fixed timeline. Some people come for a focused period around a specific transition or challenge and find what they need in a few months. Others engage in longer-term work and find it deepens considerably over time.

We talk about this together as we go. The work is yours, and the pace is yours.

Yes. I see people in person in the Amsterdam area and online throughout the Netherlands and internationally. Online sessions are conducted via a secure video platform and work well for many people.

You might come for many different reasons. Some common ones:

• Anxiety, persistent worry, or a sense that something is wrong without knowing exactly what
• Depression, low mood, or feeling disconnected from yourself or your life
• Major life transitions — career changes, relocation, relationship shifts, loss of direction
• Recurring patterns in relationships that feel difficult to break
• Questions about identity, values, and what kind of life you actually want to live
• The specific pressures of living abroad — displacement, cultural adjustment, building a new life far from home

If you're not sure whether what you're experiencing fits any category, that's fine. Often the most important work begins with something that's hard to name.

The terms are often used interchangeably, and in practice the work can look very similar. The distinction matters more legally and clinically than it does in the room.

I offer professional counseling services under US licensure. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Illinois and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) — credentials granted by US professional bodies. I do not hold BIG registration in the Netherlands and do not operate within the Dutch regulated healthcare system. My services are provided in a non-medical, private-pay context — please see the disclaimer section for full details.

Not at all. I work with anyone navigating the kinds of questions and difficulties described on this site. The expat experience is one I understand personally and professionally, but it's not a prerequisite.

Living abroad carries its own particular weight. You're navigating a new culture and language, often without the social infrastructure you've built over a lifetime. The things that gave your days texture and meaning back home — friendships, routines, a sense of belonging — have to be rebuilt largely from scratch.

This can be energizing. It can also surface questions about identity, belonging, and what you actually value that might have stayed dormant in a more familiar environment. Many people find that the move brings unexpected emotional complexity alongside the adventure.

I understand this from both sides — as a practitioner and as someone who has made that same move. That doesn't mean I project my experience onto yours. It means I take it seriously.

Yes, online. If you're based outside the Netherlands, please be aware that rules around online counseling can vary by country. It's worth checking whether receiving counseling from a practitioner based in the Netherlands is permitted where you are. I'm happy to discuss this with you directly.

Please reach out directly for current session fees. I'm happy to discuss this before you commit to anything.

No. Services at Present Tense Counseling are not covered by Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) and are not reimbursable through the Dutch healthcare system. Sessions are paid privately and directly.

If insurance coverage is important to you, I'd encourage you to also explore options within the Dutch GGZ system, where covered mental health services are available through referral from your GP (huisarts).

Invoices are issued per session or in agreed bundles and can be paid by bank transfer. I'll walk you through the details when we get started.

I ask for at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be charged in full. I understand that life happens — if something urgent comes up, just let me know as soon as you can.

Yes. Everything discussed in sessions is confidential. There are limited exceptions to this — as required by law — including situations involving serious risk of harm to yourself or others. I'll discuss the specifics of confidentiality with you at the start of our work together.