Navigating Child and Youth psychology in the Netherlands

No matter how many years of experience you have in the field of mental health, (re-) starting your career in a new country is always challenging. PsyGlobal wants to guide you in this challenging process, to make sure your landing is as soft as possible. One important part of this challenging process, is understanding local systems. If you’re a child psychologist planning to work in the Netherlands, familiarizing yourself with the structure of child and youth care is crucial. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the Dutch system.

How is child and youth care organized?

In the Netherlands, child and youth care is managed locally by municipalities (gemeenten). Before 2015, these services fell under health insurance providers, but the shift to local governance aims to make care more accessible and locally coordinated.

Municipalities not only organize care but also handle its funding. As a child psychologist, securing a contract with the municipality is essential; without it, your services won’t be reimbursed.

Legal considerations

One very important aspect to keep in mind is consent. If you’re working with children under 16, consent from both parents is mandatory before starting therapy. For children over 16, parental consent is no longer required, but keeping parents informed and involved is still encouraged. Exceptions apply in cases of safety concerns or specific legal obligations.

Referrals: The starting point for therapy

In the Netherlands, therapy begins with a referral from one of these sources:

1. General Practitioner (GP): The family doctor often acts as the first point of contact, providing early assessments and insights into the child’s and family’s situation.
2. Wijkteam: These neighborhood teams specialize in youth care, offering tailored support to families.
3. GGD: This preventive healthcare organization oversees health checks and vaccinations for children.
4. Pediatricians: They address specialized medical concerns and can recommend further psychological support.

Key organizations in child and youth care

Several organizations are pivotal in supporting children and families in the Netherlands. Two of the most important in safeguarding child safety are Veilig Thuis and the Raad van de Kinderbescherming (Child Protection Board).

Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home)

Veilig Thuis serves as the national reporting center for domestic violence and child abuse. It is accessible to psychologists, social workers, neighbors, parents, and even children who suspect or experience unsafe situations. When contacted, Veilig Thuis assesses the situation to determine whether intervention is necessary.

In severe cases involving acute danger, repeated reports, or parental refusal to seek help, Veilig Thuis can escalate the case to the Raad van de Kinderbescherming. This ensures that no child is left in a harmful situation without action.

Raad van de Kinderbescherming (Child Protection Board)

The Raad van de Kinderbescherming steps in when a child’s safety is at serious risk. Their role is investigative, involving discussions with psychologists, teachers, social workers, and parents to understand the situation thoroughly. These roundtable discussions aim to find solutions that prioritize the child’s well-being.

In extreme cases, the Raad may recommend interventions such as:

• Court involvement to enforce protective measures.
• Out-of-home placement, which is only considered as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. This ensures that removing a child from their family happens only when absolutely necessary and in the best interest of the child.

The focus remains on collaboration and providing support to families to avoid such drastic steps wherever possible.

A typical day as a child psychologist

Your work will involve a mix of responsibilities, such as:

• Diagnosing and treating children through various therapies, including CBT and play therapy.
• Consulting with parents and families.
• Visiting schools to collaborate with teachers.
• Offering advice to social workers and community centers.
• Handling crisis interventions.

Practical tips for psychologists new to the Dutch system

1. Focus on structure: Encourage children to maintain routines like attending school and engaging in hobbies.
2. Trauma processing: Play, relaxation techniques, and open conversations about emotions are helpful tools.
3. Short therapy sessions: Avoid long-term dependency by keeping treatments concise and monitoring progress post-therapy.
4. Stay connected locally: Collaborate closely with social workers and provide guidance on creating better environments for children.

Continuous learning: Boosting your expertise

To excel in the Dutch context:

• Gain experience with age-specific issues.
• Seek guidance from supervisors (regiebehandelaars) on legal and cultural aspects.
• Enroll in courses, webinars, or lectures tailored for child psychologists.
• Learn basic Dutch and familiarize yourself with Dutch culture to build trust with clients and their families.

To conclude

Understanding the structure of child and youth care in the Netherlands can feel overwhelming at first, but with time and effort, you’ll find ways to adapt and thrive. The Dutch system’s emphasis on collaboration, prevention, and family support ensures that you’ll have the tools to make a real difference in young lives.

PsyGlobal has also written a series of articles on working in mental health care. These articles cover the subjects of Structure and Professional Relationship, the Intake Session and Diagnoses and Treatment Plans. Also, we have written extensive guidelines about working in the Netherlands; from peculiarities about the Dutch culture to roles and responsibilities within Mental Health Care. The guidelines can be found here. 

Please remember that PsyGlobal is here for you. There is no such thing as a stupid question, and we are available to answers yours anytime. You can also participate in intervision sessions to exchange experiences and ideas with us and fellow foreign mental health professionals, attend webinars or enroll for trainings. We will update you regularly through LinkedIn or our newsletter. Thank you for being part of PsyGlobal, and good luck!