How Does Therapy Work? 7 Things to Know Before Your First Session

Most people sit with the question of whether to book a session for far longer than they need to. So let’s make it simple. Here’s how does therapy work, answered honestly, from when to start, to when it’s time to stop.

Q 1: When should I book an appointment?

Book when life starts to feel too heavy to carry alone. That might look like anxiety, difficulty facing certain emotions, sleepless nights, relationship strain, or simply feeling overwhelmed. From there, we build a treatment plan shaped around you, one that evolves as you do.

Q 2: How often should we meet?

Once a week works best. Twice weekly if you need more support, though I wouldn’t suggest more than that. Once every two weeks can work too, but I don’t recommend longer gaps. Consistency is where the real progress lives.

Q 3: Will you prescribe medication?

No, I’m a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, so prescribing isn’t part of what I offer. I can, however, liaise with your GP if that feels useful. Research generally favours psychotherapy over medication alone, though for some conditions, combining the two supports better outcomes.

Q 4: How does therapy work with health insurance?

Many Dutch insurers won’t cover sessions at a private practice, though some international policies do, which works in our favour. Being independent means shorter waiting lists and far fewer limits on session number or treatment approach. Worth checking your own policy for reimbursement options.

Q 5: What's your cancellation policy?

Please give 48 hours’ (2 Days) notice if you need to cancel, or to switch a session between in-person and online. Anything less, including no-shows, is charged at the full session rate.

Q 6: Are therapy sessions confidential?

Yes, entirely, with one exception. If you’re at risk of harming yourself or someone else, that confidentiality has limits. Outside of that, what’s shared stays here.

Q 7: When does therapy end?

When your goals are met, or whenever you choose. You’re as free to stop as you were to start. My honest suggestion: stay until you can feel that the shift you came for has actually landed.

Therapy isn’t a fixed script, it’s a relationship that adapts to you, session by session. If any of this resonates, reach out and we’ll take it from there. Curious about the practical side first? Our How It Works page walks through what happens from your very first message onward.