Couples Therapy
For internationals navigating the unique pressures of relocation, cross-cultural differences, and the emotional toll of building a life together in a new place.
Book a Free 15-Minute Introductory Call 50-minute first session at a reduced rate. Online or in Leiden.
When the relationship feels like it's under pressure
Relocation is one of the most significant stressors a couple can face. Even the strongest relationships can find themselves struggling under the weight of a move.
Common issues include communication that has become circular or defensive, a loss of intimacy, or a sense that you are no longer on the same team. Often, the external pressures of adapting to a new country — language barriers, career shifts, and the loss of local support networks — manifest as tension between you.
Couples therapy provides a neutral space to slow down those interactions. It’s a place to move beyond the immediate arguments and understand the deeper needs and patterns that are driving them.
The process of couples therapy
Sessions are 50 minutes long and typically held weekly. We work together to identify the 'negative cycle' you get caught in and develop new ways of communicating and connecting.
In the first session, we speak about what has brought you both to therapy and what you hope to change. My role is not to judge or decide who is right, but to help you both understand how your relationship works — and how it can work better.
We focus on building emotional safety, resolving long-standing conflicts, and deepening your understanding of one another’s internal worlds.
An approach that takes your context seriously
I bring a meaning-centred perspective to couples work, grounded in logotherapy and informed by systemic principles.
This means we look at your relationship not just as a set of problems to be solved, but as a shared search for meaning. We explore the values you share, the life you are building together, and how you can support one another’s individual growth within the partnership.
For expats, this often involves acknowledging the specific 'cultural' context of your relationship — where you come from, what you’ve left behind, and the unique challenges of being internationals in the Netherlands.
Who this is for
- Couples navigating the stress of relocation and cultural adaptation
- Partners struggling with communication, conflict, or loss of connection
- Those dealing with life transitions (parenthood, career changes, aging)
- Cross-cultural couples seeking to understand and bridge their differences
- Couples wanting to deepen their intimacy and shared sense of meaning
Common Questions
Will you take sides?
No. In couples therapy, the 'client' is the relationship itself. My role is to help you both understand the patterns you've fallen into, not to decide who is right or wrong.
What if my partner doesn't want to come?
Couples therapy works best when both are present and willing to engage. However, if one partner is hesitant, I recommend booking a single first session together just to see how it feels, without any further commitment.
Is it too late for us?
Many couples wait until they are in crisis to seek help, but even then, it is often possible to find a way forward if both are willing to do the work. The first session is a place to honestly assess where you are.
How long does it take?
Relationship patterns often take time to shift. Some couples find clarity in a few months, while others prefer to continue work over a longer period to build deeper stability. We will discuss this as we go.
What happens in the first session?
We talk about what has brought you both here and what you hope to change. It's an opportunity to see how we work together before committing to a longer process.
Other services: individual therapy, expat therapy, or online therapy.
Start the conversation
The first step is a single session at half price. It’s an opportunity for both of you to speak, and for us to see if this approach feels right for your relationship.
Book a Free 15-Minute Introductory Call