Welcome to the Ithaca Psychotherapy Practice

Ithaca Psychotherapy Practice is currently a contract-free practice.

We welcome referrals from primary care physicians and other health care professionals.

Our services are available in several languages, including Dutch, English and Hebrew.

About Psychotherapy Practice Ithaca

Located in Amstelveen, Ithaca is a specialized mental health practice with a diverse team of therapists, each with unique skills, specializations and approaches.

We offer a wide range of treatment modalities, including psychodynamic/ psychoanalytic therapy, schema therapy, trauma therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

In addition to individual therapy, we also offer group therapy. If necessary, systemic conversations are also possible during therapy.

Off-hours crisis?

Contact the therapist at his/her 06 number if agreed and known
Contacting your primary care physician
Contact the crisis service 24/7 GGZ inGeest (020) 788 5333

The Return of Odysseus, Claude Lorrain, 1644.

About our name:

Life as a Journey – Ithaca by Constantine P. Cavafy “Ithaca” is based on Homer’s description of Odysseus’ journey home. As you might expect from this influence, the poem has much to say about life in all its complexity, with both the setbacks and the positive memories that become inevitable. Like so many self-help books advise, the poem urges you to live for the journey rather than the expected endpoint, to have a thriving and fulfilling life. As “Ithaca” suggests, we should not wish our time away, but “ask that our way may be long.” We may have problems at work, financial worries, or have lost a loved one, but when we finally, and inevitably, overcome these problems (or when we reach our own metaphorical Ithaka), we will be that much stronger. Moreover, if the same challenges recur – which is likely – we will be able to deal with them in a much stronger and more experienced way. Be aware of how life is for you now, and make sure you appreciate all the art, culture and beauty you could very easily never have seen. I often think this way when times are hard, and it really helps to improve my mood. It is so easy to just spend time looking at a beautiful painting, listening to a timeless piece of music, or reading a classic. Or, quite simply, dwell on what you learn from your current setback.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy may be appropriate when someone suffers from severe psychological symptoms, keeps running into the same patterns and wants to change them. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is indicated when these symptoms and problems cause suffering and undermine social and/or occupational functioning.

Group therapy

Ithaca offers several group therapy options. Group psychotherapy is group psychotherapy, where learning from and with each other, interacting with other participants and the psychotherapists, is central. The therapy group consists of a limited number of participants and two group psychotherapists who meet weekly. All participants work on their own psychological symptoms and problems.

Schema therapy

Schema-focused therapy is a form of therapy that integrates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, Gestalt therapy and attachment...

EMDR

This form of therapy is for people who continue to suffer from consequences of a shocking, traumatic experience manifesting themselves, among other things, in having nightmares, re-experiences or flashbacks. The beginning of EMDR therapy focuses on the cause and background of the symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

CBT is an umbrella term for various forms of treatment in which patients learn how to better manage their negative thoughts and feelings about themselves and their environment, get a better grip on their emotional lives and, if applicable, better align their behavior with what they want to achieve.

Handlers

Fine client experiences

Share your experience

I had the most transformative and meaningful experience with Sharon Hess over the past two years. Her guidance and support have brought profound positive changes to my life. Sharon's deep understanding and compassionate approach helped me navigate challenges with clarity and strength. I couldn't have asked for a better therapist. Thank you, Sharon, for being such a pivotal part of my journey!

Nimrod

Posttraumatische stressstoornissen: Deze beoordeling betreft Gert-Jan Wieringa, met andere zorgaanbieders van Ithaca heb ik geen ervaring. Buitengewoon kundig, goed geïnformeerd, bijzonder betrokken. Het voelt echt alsof je iemand aan je zijde hebt staan, dat je niet alleen advies of ondersteuning krijgt. Pragmatisch, begrip voor hulpvraag en invulling traject. Je zou iedereen zo'n ondersteuning/hulpverlening gunnen.

Anoniem

Ik raad Roy ten zeerste aan, hij heeft me enorm geholpen mezelf te helpen. Ik ben nu veel meer vervuld en evenwichtiger in mijn leven, dankzij het harde werken met een heel goede therapeut.

M H