About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Speech and language therapists assess and treat difficulties with language, speech, voice, swallowing and communication in children and adults.
Getting mental health care in the Netherlands
Public health system · Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) and GGZ
The GP is the entry point: mild problems are handled in the practice, often by the POH-GGZ mental health practice nurse, at no cost. Treatment in basic or specialist mental health care (basis-GGZ, gespecialiseerde GGZ) needs a GP referral and is covered by basic insurance but counts toward the compulsory deductible (385 euros in 2026); under-18s pay no deductible and their care is arranged through the municipality. Waiting lists for specialist care are common.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- BIG-register (CIBG, Ministry of Health). Only the titles gezondheidszorgpsycholoog, klinisch psycholoog, psychotherapeut and doctor/psychiatrist are protected; the plain title psycholoog is not. Check the BIG number, registration validity and any disciplinary measures in the BIG-register. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
Basic insurance covers GGZ treatment by BIG-registered providers after GP referral, subject to the deductible; POH-GGZ consultations at the GP are free.
Urgent help in the Netherlands
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 113 · 113 Zelfmoordpreventie
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: bigregister.nl, rijksoverheid.nl, zorgwijzer.nl, overstappen.nl
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a speech therapist do?
A speech therapist assesses and treats difficulties with communication, language, speech, voice, fluency and swallowing. Day to day they might help a toddler say their first words, a child with stuttering or reading-related language problems, an adult recovering language after a stroke, a teacher with voice strain, or an older person with swallowing difficulties. They also guide families, teachers and carers.
When to see a speech therapist
Consider a speech therapist if a child’s speech or language seems delayed or hard to understand, if there is stuttering, persistent hoarseness or voice loss, difficulty finding words after a neurological event, or coughing and choking when eating. Sudden loss of speech or swallowing needs urgent medical attention first. For learning difficulties beyond language, an educational psychologist may also help.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in the Netherlands cover psychological care?
The GP is the entry point: mild problems are handled in the practice, often by the POH-GGZ mental health practice nurse, at no cost. Treatment in basic or specialist mental health care (basis-GGZ, gespecialiseerde GGZ) needs a GP referral and is covered by basic insurance but counts toward the compulsory deductible (385 euros in 2026); under-18s pay no deductible and their care is arranged through the municipality. Waiting lists for specialist care are common.
How do I check that a speech therapist is licensed in the Netherlands?
BIG-register (CIBG, Ministry of Health): Only the titles gezondheidszorgpsycholoog, klinisch psycholoog, psychotherapeut and doctor/psychiatrist are protected; the plain title psycholoog is not. Check the BIG number, registration validity and any disciplinary measures in the BIG-register.