A South African counsellor in the Netherlands.
Dutch is close to Afrikaans, but it’s not home. Speak to someone in your own language.
Written by Elza Berk, Founder & registered counsellor · ASCHP WCW/271 · 20+ years’ clinical experience · Updated 28 September 2026
Home is part of your story.
Around 40,000 South Africans live in the Netherlands. Afrikaans speakers often find Dutch familiar, yet feel the cultural differences sharply: directness at work, grey weather, long waits for mental-health care through the huisarts, and a sense of starting again.
With MyTruth you can talk in Afrikaans or English to a registered South African counsellor, in the same time zone, without a GP referral or waiting list.
We see South Africans across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Leiden. Sessions are online, so it doesn’t matter where you live.
Times that work for you
| Your time | South African time |
|---|---|
| 08:00 Amsterdam | 08:00–09:00 SA |
| 12:30 Amsterdam | 12:30–13:30 SA |
| 18:00 Amsterdam | 18:00–19:00 SA |
The booking screen shows every time in your own time zone automatically.
Questions South Africans in the Netherlands ask us
Kan ek in Afrikaans praat?
Ja. Several of our counsellors work in Afrikaans, so you can talk in the language you feel in.
Do I need a huisarts referral?
No. You book directly with us, with no GP referral or waiting list.
Will my Dutch health insurance pay?
Usually not, because our counsellors are registered in South Africa. Sessions are paid privately.
How do I pay from overseas?
By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through Yoco. International Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards are accepted, and you don’t need a South African bank account. Prices are in rand; your bank converts them.
More about counselling for South Africans abroad →
Also for South Africans in: UK · Australia · USA · UAE · New Zealand · Canada · Germany
What we help with
- Culture shock and Dutch directness
- Long waits through the huisarts
- Homesickness and dark winters
- Work pressure and burnout
- Relationships and blended cultures
- Guilt about family back home
Simple from the first click.
01
Choose a time in your time zone
CET/CEST — the same time as SA for half the year and only an hour behind the rest, so any slot works.
02
Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
International cards accepted, no South African bank account needed.
03
Meet online
WhatsApp, Google Meet or Teams — whichever works for you.
People who do this work every day.
Janika Cumpsty
Head of Supervision
“You don’t have to do your inner work alone. I help clients identify their inherent strength and take action toward the change they truly want to see.”
- Childhood trauma
- PTSD / CPTSD
- Sexual trauma
English · Afrikaans · Dutch (reading)
Omashree Balie
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Seeking counselling is personal, difficult, and sometimes lonely — but the results are life-changing. I aim to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”
- Couples & marriage
- Divorce
- LGBTQIA+ affirming
English · Afrikaans
Mimi Shirindza
Registered Counsellor
“Every person carries the capacity for growth and renewal. My role is to walk alongside you as you rediscover and strengthen those inherent gifts.”
- Trauma
- Grief & loss
- Couples
English · Xitsonga · isiZulu
Hèlet Boustred
Registered Psychological Counsellor
“I have a strong passion for trauma work using Somatic Experiencing — a gentle, body-oriented approach that helps release stress and restore balance from within.”
- Trauma (Somatic Experiencing)
- Anxiety & depression
- Grief & loss
Afrikaans · English
Megan Andrew
Registered Counsellor
“I offer a safe space where clients feel heard and supported to better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and move towards meaningful change.”
- ADHD & autism
- Perinatal support
- Trauma
English
Chris Theron
Registered Counsellor
“Life teaches us to keep it together even when we’re falling apart. I believe healing starts when someone walks beside you — not ahead of you.”
- Trauma
- Anxiety & stress
- Life transitions
English · Afrikaans
Your truth deserves to be heard.
Choose a counsellor who speaks your language and understands your world. Sessions are online, private and booked in minutes.