Moving & settling in
Arriving somewhere takes longer than unpacking
A move abroad asks a lot of a child, and often even more of the parents carrying it. I work with families who have come to the Netherlands and are somewhere between leaving and belonging. This is coaching and guidance rather than treatment for an illness — practical, warm, and aimed at daily life here.
This may fit if
- Your child behaves noticeably different than before the move and something feels 'off'
- Your child seems not to feel at ease after the first couple of months of the move
- Your child seems to be unhappy about the new environment or repeatedly asking to go back to the old one
- School is noticing that your child is not feeling comfortable despite the warm welcome. Catching up with schoolwork seems to be difficult.
- You as a parent are wondering whether your child needs an (additional) safe person beside you, to gradually and playfully integrate in the new environment.
What we work on
Landing in a new school
Making friends, reading unwritten rules, and surviving a classroom in a language that is still arriving.
Language and confidence
Keeping the home language strong while the new one grows, without your child feeling behind in either.
Homesickness and loss
Giving a name to what was left behind — grandparents, friends, a bedroom — instead of asking a child to be grateful and move on.
Identity between cultures
Helping your child hold more than one home at the same time, and feel that this is a richness rather than a problem.
Support for parents
You do not need a diagnosis to want to talk things through. Sessions with parents alone are welcome.
How we work
- Play
- Talk
- Music
- Craft (drawing, painting)
- Reading
- Writing
The list goes on.
Every trajectory starts with field research. We carefully explore the factors that possibly play a role in the current situation of your child. That includes the home situation, functioning in the social-emotional area and how your child interacts and learns. Most importantly, we look at the strengths and qualities of your child, what makes your child thrive and how we can use that as a shield against the obstacles of the daily life.
Principles I apply include
- Self-determination theory
- Solution-focused therapy
- Exposure therapy
A note on what this is
This is not immigration or legal advice. It is psychological support around what a move does to a child and a family. If you need legal or administrative help, I am happy to point you elsewhere.
Get in touch