Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who will benefit from the services offered by the Expat Kids Club?
A: Any child who feels like they are living in a non-native environment. This could be a non-Dutch child, as well as a Dutch child who has spent a significant amount of time outside the Netherlands and feels like a foreigner in his/her "home-land." The Expat Kids Club program aims to both avert problems before they occur, as well as address specific issues.
Q: What is a "Third Culture Kid?"
A: As defined by David Pollack (in his book which I highly recommend, see "Useful Information" page), a "Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while to having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background."
Q: How can I be sure that my child really needs help?
A: Chances are that if you are concerned that you need professional support for your child, then you are probably right because who knows your child better than you? You can call for a free 15-minute initial phone consultation to find out how the Expat Kids Club can specifically help.
Q: What types of questions can I expect to be asked about my child?
A: Information about your family composition (i.e., how many siblings, ages, etc.); about your child's medical history and social development; schooling, extracurricular activities, and of course about the recent transitions going on in your family's life (i.e., relocation, new baby, etc.).
Q: What can I expect for my child's first appointment?
A: The first appointment is the "intake" session with you (and/or primary care-givers) and your child.
Q: After the intake, what comes next?
A: We will agree on a time and place for the first appointment of your child's course of treatment.
Q: What are your qualifications for working with my child?
A: I hold a Master's degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Leiden; and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the George Washington University. My training consisted of intensive knowledge and practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy methods, play-therapy practice hours, child psychiatry diagnostic methods, developmental psychopathology investigations, process diagnostics of learning disabilities, and psychological testing implementation and evaluation. In addition I have worked on a NIMH-funded (National Institute of Mental Health, U.S.A.) study in Washington, D.C., and have extensive specialization in social anxiety in childhood. After a very rigorous scrutiny process, the Dutch government approved my business, the Expat Kids Club, under the terms Dutch-American Friendship Treaty because they determined that I can improve the overall quality of life for expatriates in the Netherlands through my work.
I am highly involved in the expatriate community in The Netherlands, and have a large network of professional contacts with whom I am in regularly contact for learning purposes and for referrals - this is very useful so as to provide my clients and their families with a well-rounded therapeutic approach.
I have always adored children - their energy and innocence. I do not have my own yet, but believe that by helping your expat kids to learn coping mechanisms at an early age, they will truly benefit and eventually make positive contributions to our ever-globalizing society.
A: Any child who feels like they are living in a non-native environment. This could be a non-Dutch child, as well as a Dutch child who has spent a significant amount of time outside the Netherlands and feels like a foreigner in his/her "home-land." The Expat Kids Club program aims to both avert problems before they occur, as well as address specific issues.
Q: What is a "Third Culture Kid?"
A: As defined by David Pollack (in his book which I highly recommend, see "Useful Information" page), a "Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while to having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background."
Q: How can I be sure that my child really needs help?
A: Chances are that if you are concerned that you need professional support for your child, then you are probably right because who knows your child better than you? You can call for a free 15-minute initial phone consultation to find out how the Expat Kids Club can specifically help.
Q: What types of questions can I expect to be asked about my child?
A: Information about your family composition (i.e., how many siblings, ages, etc.); about your child's medical history and social development; schooling, extracurricular activities, and of course about the recent transitions going on in your family's life (i.e., relocation, new baby, etc.).
Q: What can I expect for my child's first appointment?
A: The first appointment is the "intake" session with you (and/or primary care-givers) and your child.
Q: After the intake, what comes next?
A: We will agree on a time and place for the first appointment of your child's course of treatment.
Q: What are your qualifications for working with my child?
A: I hold a Master's degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Leiden; and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the George Washington University. My training consisted of intensive knowledge and practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy methods, play-therapy practice hours, child psychiatry diagnostic methods, developmental psychopathology investigations, process diagnostics of learning disabilities, and psychological testing implementation and evaluation. In addition I have worked on a NIMH-funded (National Institute of Mental Health, U.S.A.) study in Washington, D.C., and have extensive specialization in social anxiety in childhood. After a very rigorous scrutiny process, the Dutch government approved my business, the Expat Kids Club, under the terms Dutch-American Friendship Treaty because they determined that I can improve the overall quality of life for expatriates in the Netherlands through my work.
I am highly involved in the expatriate community in The Netherlands, and have a large network of professional contacts with whom I am in regularly contact for learning purposes and for referrals - this is very useful so as to provide my clients and their families with a well-rounded therapeutic approach.
I have always adored children - their energy and innocence. I do not have my own yet, but believe that by helping your expat kids to learn coping mechanisms at an early age, they will truly benefit and eventually make positive contributions to our ever-globalizing society.
