Psychology practice · Amsterdam
The door is open.
Sometimes you get stuck. In your head, in a habit you no longer want, or in a period that is heavier than you let others see. Here you get the space to talk about it calmly, and practical tools to move forward.
Free 20-minute introductionNo referral neededSessions in English or Dutch
Why this practice
You don’t have to do it alone.
Many people wait too long before seeking help. Because it “isn’t bad enough”, because they want to solve it themselves, or because they don’t know what to expect. Praktijk Braak is meant for exactly that moment: accessible, personal and without a waiting room full of forms.
You always speak to the same person, who knows your story. Down-to-earth, warm and focused on what works. In English or Dutch.
What you can come for
Six ways I can help
Which form suits you best, we decide together in the first conversation. They often overlap.
Quit smoking
Not with willpower alone. We look at what smoking does for you, when the craving comes and what you can put in its place. Relapse is part of it, not a failure.
A listening ear
No diagnosis, no programme. Someone who takes the time and really listens, without judgement and without unsolicited advice. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Your thoughts shape how you feel and what you do. With CBT you learn to recognise those patterns, examine them and break them step by step.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Not everything can be solved. ACT helps you make room for what is there, while choosing what really matters to you.
Motivational interviewing
Torn between changing and leaving things as they are? We explore both sides, calmly, without me pushing you in any direction.
Problem-clarifying conversation
Sometimes the main problem is that it is unclear what the problem is. In one or two sessions we bring into focus what troubles you and what is needed.
How it works
From first call to last session
Three steps. No waiting-list bureaucracy, no three-hour intake.
1
Get acquainted
You call or send a message. In a free 20-minute conversation we see whether it clicks and whether I can help you. If not, I will help you think about where you can go instead.
2
Get to work
We plan a series of sessions of about an hour (€160 per session). You set the pace and the topic; I bring structure, method and sometimes an exercise for at home.
3
Carry on by yourself
The goal is that you no longer need me. We stop as soon as you have enough to hold on to, and you are always welcome to come back.
Pieter Braak, psychologist in Amsterdam. MSc in Clinical Psychology (Vrije Universiteit). One person, one fixed point of contact. No changing therapists, no waiting room full of forms.
About the practice
Small, personal and close by
Praktijk Braak is the one-person practice of psychologist Pieter Braak (MSc in Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). That means you always speak to the same person, who knows your story and doesn’t make you start over every time.
I prefer to work in a down-to-earth, practical way. We name what is going on, look at what you can do about it and try that out in your own life. What works, we keep. What doesn’t, we let go.
“What works, we keep. What doesn’t, we let go.“
The starting point of every session at Praktijk Braak
Frequently asked questions
What people usually want to know first
Is your question not listed? Feel free to ask during the introduction.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. Calling or filling in the contact form is enough. We plan a free 20-minute introduction and then decide together whether to continue.
How many sessions will I need?
That varies. Some people only need one problem-clarifying conversation, others a series of sessions over a few months. We stop as soon as you have enough to hold on to.
Is it covered by insurance?
That depends on your situation and your insurance. Feel free to ask during the introduction; then we look together at what is possible.
What does a session cost?
A session of about an hour costs €160. The 20-minute introduction is free. So you always know in advance, never afterwards.
Do you work in English?
Yes. Sessions are available in English and in Dutch, whichever you are most comfortable with.
What if it doesn’t click?
Then you just say so. The connection matters more than the method. If what I offer doesn’t fit your question, I will help you find someone who does.
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you tell me stays between us, unless there is immediate danger to you or someone else. I would discuss that with you first.
Take the first step
Not sure if this is the right place?
Call or send a message. An introduction costs nothing and commits you to nothing. If it doesn’t fit, I will help you find someone who suits your question.