About trauma
After a traumatic experience it is common to have intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance or to avoid reminders. When these persist, trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR or trauma-focused CBT can help. Look for a professional with specific training in trauma.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in Sint Maarten
Public health system · Mental Health Foundation (MHF), funded mainly through SZV Social and Health Insurances
The Mental Health Foundation provides outpatient clinic care, day treatment, guided living, crisis intervention and an admission ward, with psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. It relies mainly on SZV and other insurers for funding since government subsidy ended in 2015. SZV also contracts private-practice psychologists, so SZV-insured patients can be covered for assessment and therapy.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA); Dutch BIG register as reference. Sint Maarten has no national register of its own yet; a draft National Ordinance on a Healthcare Professionals Registry was completed in 2026 but is not in force. Doctors have generally been required to be BIG-registered, and you can check Dutch BIG registration of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists online. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
SZV has care contracts with private psychologists and with the Mental Health Foundation, so SZV-insured people can be covered for psychological assessment and therapy.
Urgent help in Sint Maarten
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 912 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: thedailyherald.sx, thedailyherald.sx, sintmaartengov.org, thedailyherald.sx
Signs to look out for
After a frightening or overwhelming event, it is normal to feel shaken for a while. It is worth seeking help when, weeks later, you still have intrusive memories or nightmares, feel constantly on guard, startle easily, avoid anything that reminds you of what happened, feel numb or disconnected, or notice that it is affecting your sleep, relationships or work. Trauma can also stem from repeated experiences in childhood.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Trauma-focused therapies have strong evidence, especially trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure and EMDR. Psychologists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists with specific trauma training are the main professionals. For complex trauma, therapy often starts by building safety and emotional regulation. A psychiatrist can assess whether medication may help with symptoms such as sleep problems or severe anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in danger now, or the person who harmed you is still a threat, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of ending your life or harming yourself, or if you feel completely disconnected from reality. After a physical or sexual assault, medical care is important even if there are no visible injuries.
What you can do in the meantime
Be patient with yourself: your reactions are a response to something abnormal. Try to keep simple routines, sleep and meals, and spend time with people who make you feel safe. Grounding techniques, such as noticing what you can see and hear around you, can help when memories intrude. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to numb feelings, and choose when and with whom you share your story.
What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
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 Sint Maarten cover psychological care?
The Mental Health Foundation provides outpatient clinic care, day treatment, guided living, crisis intervention and an admission ward, with psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. It relies mainly on SZV and other insurers for funding since government subsidy ended in 2015. SZV also contracts private-practice psychologists, so SZV-insured patients can be covered for assessment and therapy.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in Sint Maarten?
Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA); Dutch BIG register as reference: Sint Maarten has no national register of its own yet; a draft National Ordinance on a Healthcare Professionals Registry was completed in 2026 but is not in force. Doctors have generally been required to be BIG-registered, and you can check Dutch BIG registration of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists online.