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From huisarts to GGZ: how does the system work?
Seeing a Psychologist in the Netherlands: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the Netherlands, mental healthcare runs along a fixed chain: huisarts → POH-GGZ → referral → GGZ. This guide explains the chain, the waiting times, and the alternatives, specifically for Turkish speakers.
The standard, insurance-covered route to a psychologist in the Netherlands runs through the huisarts (GP): first a consultation with the huisarts, then, for mild to moderate complaints, a referral to the POH-GGZ, and for heavier presentations the huisarts writes a referral (verwijzing) to the GGZ. Within the GGZ, waiting times can run to months depending on the region. The alternative without a referral is private (contractvrij) or online therapy.
Step 1: The huisarts consultation
The entry point of the system is the huisarts (general practitioner). When booking an appointment for psychological complaints, it is enough to say "psychische klachten" (psychological complaints); you explain the details during the consultation. The huisarts has three basic options: refer you to the POH-GGZ within the practice, write a referral to the GGZ, or propose a watchful-waiting approach. Not minimising your complaints and describing their impact on daily life with concrete examples (sleep, work, relationships) increases the chance of the right referral.
Step 2: What is POH-GGZ?
The POH-GGZ (praktijkondersteuner huisarts GGZ) is a mental-health support practitioner who works within the huisarts practice. For mild and moderate complaints they offer a few sessions of support; it is free and does not come out of your eigen risico (own risk / deductible). The limit: POH-GGZ is not psychotherapy; for presentations that require structured treatment (trauma, OCD, entrenched panic) it remains an intermediate step.
Step 3: Referral and the levels of GGZ
For heavier presentations the huisarts writes a verwijzing (referral). There are two levels: basis-GGZ (short, focused treatments) and specialised GGZ (complex, long-term treatments). When the referral is written, ask which level you are being referred to and which institution you are being sent to; you have the right to choose your own institution (vrije artsenkeuze; coverage varies by policy).
A realistic obstacle: waiting lists
The best-known problem of the system is the waiting time: depending on region and diagnostic group, waits measured in months are common; exceeding the official maximum terms (the so-called Treeknorm) is frequent. While you wait, complaints often become chronic: with anxiety, avoidance expands; with a depressive picture, functioning declines. During the waiting period you can ask your zorgverzekeraar (health insurer) for the wachtlijstbemiddeling (waiting-list mediation) service; this is a little-known but effective right.
Alternative: private / online therapy without a referral
The way to move forward without a referral and waiting list is through private practices that work contractvrij (without insurer contracts). ViaNova Praktijk follows this model: after an appointment request, a first session is usually scheduled quickly, and the process runs in Turkish. The cost is paid out of pocket or partly reimbursed based on your policy's reimbursement rate for non-contracted care; the details are on the Fees and Insurance page. The language factor is also critical: therapy in a second language is possible, but for work requiring emotional depth, the mother tongue offers a clear advantage.
Emergencies
An acute crisis falls outside this chain: during office hours call the huisarts, outside them the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP post); in a life-threatening situation call 112. To talk, 113 Zelfmoordpreventie (0800-0113) is reachable day and night.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist in the Netherlands?
For the insurance-covered GGZ route, yes: a huisarts referral is required. For private or online therapy no referral is needed; you can book an appointment directly.
How long is the GGZ waiting time?
It varies by region and diagnosis; it can run from weeks to 6-12 months. The official maximum term (Treeknorm) is often exceeded. Your insurer's wachtlijstbemiddeling service can shorten the wait.
Does POH-GGZ cost anything?
No; it falls under huisarts care, is free, and does not come out of your eigen risico (own risk / deductible).
My Dutch is weak, what should I do in the huisarts consultation?
You can request an interpreter or a relative can come along; writing your complaints down beforehand in a few sentences makes the consultation noticeably easier.
Can I get online Turkish-language therapy without a referral?
Yes. At ViaNova Praktijk no referral is required; after your appointment request the process starts with an intake to check whether it is a good fit.
Clinical and emergency boundary
This page is intended for general information only. No diagnosis is made and no personal treatment advice is given via this website. In case of an acute crisis, risk of self-harm, or a threat to safety, contact 112, your huisarts, or the huisartsenpost in the Netherlands. To talk, the 113 Zelfmoordpreventie helpline (0800-0113) is open day and night.