Hi, I’m

DERIKA

CERTIFIED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

(AMSTERDAM/ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY)

I am an Amsterdam based, English and Afrikaans speaking clinical psychologist providing face-to-face and online therapy to adolescence, adults, couples and expats who experience depression, anxiety, trauma or relationship difficulties.

Life does not come with a manual. I do believe that we all do the best with what we have. Still, life can throw curve balls our way. Unexpected events can disrupt our lives and make it difficult to navigate the tides. We have no idea what tomorrow might bring and often cannot control the things in life we wish we could.

We often spend our time, either looking back at the past or eagerly awaiting and planning for the future – missing out on the growth, opportunities or lessons that is right in front of us. We as humans are complex, imperfect, dynamic and resilient, and you know what? that is perfect!

I am passionate to walk a journey with you through the ebb and flow of life and the challenges it brings

Derika de Villiers

My Practice Areas

Depression

Feeling depressed can be extremely lonely and terrifying. Not experiencing joy in aspects of life that used to bring you joy can make you feel that life is meaningless. Feeling tired, helpless, hopeless, demotivated and trapped in a dark hole is overwhelming. Whether you experience a depressive episode due to environmental factors or are diagnosed with a mood disorder, therapy can assist and support you to navigate the darkness.

Anxiety

Feeling anxious, worried, fearful and scared can be paralysing. Navigating uncertainty, indecisiveness and avoidance are challenging and often leave us feeling powerless. Anxiety also manifests in our body with symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, irritability, rapid heartbeat, nausea, stomach cramps, a shortness of breath and makes it very difficult to enjoy life. Therapy can assist and support you in taking your power back.

Relationships

We are relational and social beings at our core. Relationships gives us a sense of belonging and purpose. Relationships are important to us and when these relationships starts to fail, it can become a very difficult space to navigate. Effective relationships takes work and knowledge of tools and techniques that promotes closeness, interdependence and transparency. Therapy can assist and support you in developing effective relationships with those that are most important to you.

Trauma

Trauma can disrupt our core and all aspects of our life. Trauma often redefined how we see ourselves, others and the world. Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms your ability to cope and can leave you feeling scared, hopeless, helpless and alone. Therapy can assist and support you in processing the trauma and moving from a victim to a survivor.

Expat Life

Life as an expat can be extremely challenging. Some of the challenges you might face as a expat includes loneliness, feeling like an outsider, adapting to the language and culture barriers, becoming familiar with a new health care system as well as financial and money management. All of these stressors can have an impact on your emotional well-being. Therapy can assist and support you during this process and help you to find your feet.

Sessions & Fees

HOW IT WORKS?

Entering into therapy can be very scary and intimidating whether this will be your very first therapy session or whether you have been to therapy before. Opening up and trusting a stranger you have never met before can be hard, so I like to give my potential clients the chance to meet me before committing to a therapy process. I offer a free online consultation session (10 minutes) in which we chat briefly about what is going on for you and outline a plan for how you can move forward. This gives you the chance to get a sense of how I work so that you can see if you feel that we will work well together. In my approach to therapy, confidentiality, unconditional positive regard and trust are the pillars of the therapeutic relationship.

Make contact with me by submitting a contact form or send me an email. Set up an appointment (please specify if you would like the 10-minute free consultation or whether you want to jump straight into therapy).

Depending on your need, we will either set up a face-to-face appointment for you to visit me in person or schedule an online session if you cannot travel to my practice or just find an online platform or natural environment more convenient.

Once an agreed day and time has been set, I will send you an information document with a therapy contract to read and submit before your first scheduled appointment.

Session Information

Therapy is a tailor-made process and the duration of your treatment will depend on the presenting challenges, persons involved, aims and also the goals of treatment.

As every client is unique, it is difficult to predict exactly how many sessions you will need.

Sessions generally range from 3-15 sessions per client. Individual, as well as couple sessions, are 50 minutes long. Double sessions (100 minutes) can be requested. Kindly note that I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel within 24 hours, you will be liable for that session.

Fees & Payment Details

Rates for 2024 is 120 euros per 50-minute session. I make use of EFT (Electronic Payments) and will send you a betaalverzoek or invoice with my account details after the initial session.

Please note that you can only schedule a follow-up session once payment has been received.

I work as an independent practitioner and I am not affiliated with any Dutch health insurance provider. Please check with your health insurance provider to see whether you can claim back from them.

 

Certified Degrees

Years Of Practice

Magazine Contributions

My Approach & Philosophy

I practice from an integrative psychotherapy model, but I maintain a thread of continuity in who I am and how I make sense of my client’s world. I am mostly influenced by the theories of Systems theory, Gestalt therapy and Multicultural therapy. I also utilize cognitive behavioural interventions and existential thinking. I am focused on the relationship I have with my clients. I believe that their style of relating to me, represents what they do in the outside world. I also use myself and my reactions towards my clients as feedback. I walk a journey with my clients, working holistically to include all aspects of their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual reality. Confidentiality, unconditional positive regard and trust are the pillars of the therapeutic relationship.

PLEASE NOTE

 

This is not a crisis service.
For more emergency responses to acute mental health issues please contact your local Mental Health Service.

If in Amsterdam contact:
Spoedeisende Psychiatrie Amsterdam

Tel: 020 523 54 33

   Get In Touch

Call

+31 (0) 647286294 or send me a whatsapp

Address

Spuistraat 249-II,
1012VP,
Amsterdam,
Netherlands