Treatment

The intake is designed to get a clear and complete understanding of the nature and severity of your issues, so we can determine whether you are in the right place for effective treatment. Based on the information gathered, we will provide you with a treatment recommendation.

• The intake will be with both the coordinating practitioner and your future therapist — often together, sometimes separately. This therapist will generally be your main practitioner throughout the treatment and aftercare. It’s important that you feel a connection with your therapist. If you don’t, let us know so we can find a solution together.
• During the intake, we discuss your difficulties, how you experience them, their context, and how they developed. We look at your goals, expectations, and the possibilities for treatment. Any underlying or additional issues and your physical/medical situation will also be considered. Additional assessments may be needed, usually starting with laboratory tests. Several questionnaires will also be completed to get a full picture of the nature and severity of your issues.
• You will receive information about our approach, your rights and responsibilities, and the different treatment options. Practical matters, such as checking your personal details, will also be covered.
• If needed, we clarify the written information about our approach, your rights and responsibilities, and the treatment options that you received by email before the intake. Our terms and conditions and complaints procedure are available on our website.

Based on the information collected, we create a treatment proposal. We discuss this with you and, in agreement, develop a suitable treatment plan. If you decide to start the proposed treatment, you sign the treatment agreement and make an appointment with your therapist to begin.

If you prefer to take some time to consider, you have a one-week reflection period. You can contact your therapist within that week to proceed.

We offer a treatment based on the latest scientific insights.

The core of our treatment is motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy (more information below). These are the most proven and effective methods for addressing problematic alcohol and substance use. If needed, a detox plan may also be created, sometimes including supportive medication.

Addiction treatment involves personal (face-to-face) sessions, combined with homework assignments, phone calls, and email check-ins. The exact course of the treatment depends on your situation. Because talking alone doesn’t change habits, we always work to get you — literally — moving. We may recommend additional support tailored to your needs, such as running in the forest, fitness training, dietary guidance, mindfulness, boxing, or yoga.

Medication

During your treatment, you may be offered supportive medication. This is decided together with you, your therapist, and the lead practitioner. Naturally, we ensure it is safe given your medical history and any other medication you may be taking.

Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing focuses on clarifying and strengthening your motivation to change your behaviour. Your freedom of choice and personal responsibility are central. Attention is also given to the consequences of changing your behaviour.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT combines cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that it’s not events themselves but the “lens” through which we see them that shapes how we act and feel. Becoming aware of these thoughts (cognitions) and learning to interpret them differently can help you gain control over impulses and reduce negative feelings. Behaviour therapy focuses directly on learned behaviour — in this case, ‘bad habits’. We first map out the problematic behaviour and the circumstances in which it occurs. Then we work together to find more suitable behaviour patterns — or ‘good habits’. Exercises and homework are used to support this process.

For this reason, you have an appointment with your own therapist every three months for a year after completing treatment. And if you encounter difficulties, you can re-enrol for treatment directly with your therapist.

Kick Your Habits is a recognised provider of specialised medical care and is listed in the register of the Dutch Healthcare Providers Data Management (AGB).

This means that the care we provide is reimbursed by all health insurers under the mandatory basic insurance. The reimbursement rate depends on your insurer and policy, usually around 60–70%. The costs of care are nationally set by the Dutch Healthcare Authority. More information on rates can be found at www.nza.nl.

For reimbursement, we must have the referral letter from your GP or specialist in our file before your treatment begins. See the information under ‘Sign-up’.

To have treatment costs billed directly to your insurer, you can officially transfer your claim to us by signing a ‘declaration form’. By doing this, you won’t receive a bill from us. Your insurer will then pay the covered portion of the invoice directly to us.

Formally, you would still be responsible for the remaining costs, which can be up to 40% of the invoice depending on your policy. Instead, we request a Non-contracted Care – Personal Contribution, which is 10% or 15% per quarter (depending on your income), capped at €150 per quarter (10%) or €250 per quarter (15%). This includes aftercare for up to a year after treatment ends. We always find a solution for anyone for whom this would be a barrier to receiving guidance toward healthier habits.

Note: The above does not affect your statutory deductible. You are required to pay at least the first €385 per year. Part or all of this deductible may be withheld by the insurer from the payment to us. In that case, we will charge you the amount after your treatment concludes.

We record and bill both ‘direct time’ (face-to-face sessions, calls, emails, video sessions) and ‘indirect time’ (writing session and evaluation notes, multidisciplinary consultations).

By law, we are required to verify your ID and citizen service number (BSN) at your first appointment. This must be done with a valid passport or identity card (driver’s licences are not accepted).

Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. For the intake, email info@kickyourhabits.nl. During treatment, contact your therapist directly.

Appointments cancelled less than 48 hours in advance (weekends excluded) will incur a ‘no-show’ fee of €125 for an intake and €50 for a session with your coordinating or regular therapist. These costs are your responsibility and are not covered by your health insurer.

We believe it’s important to involve a close person, such as your partner or a good friend, in your treatment. At the first intake, they can be an important source of information and support. You can also choose to bring them to one of the following sessions.

Don’t want your health insurer to know about your problem? A self-paying programme is the answer!

You receive the same care, but pay yourself: €125 ex. VAT per hour. These costs cannot be claimed from your insurer, but they are tax-deductible.

Your life is already packed with responsibilities. Your day is a series of appointments, always moving from one goal to the next. At home, you may also have a family who needs you. No challenge is too big. To keep everything in balance, it’s important to pause and reflect. Are you truly in balance?

• Do you perhaps drink more than you’d like?
• Is your weight steadily increasing and your diet attempts failing?
• Why can’t you quit smoking?
• Were you a bit too irritable with the kids last weekend, or did your partner comment on your absence?
• Did your last performance review disappoint?
• Are you feeling uncertain about your role in your team?
• Do you want to revisit your talents and see how to make better use of them?

In the self-paying programme we offer, we stand alongside you with knowledge, experience, and dedication to explore these questions. We focus primarily on your ‘good and less helpful habits’. Improving this balance can have an unexpectedly big impact on your life as a whole.

We are well-versed in the latest neurobiological insights to help bring feelings and behaviour into better balance, and we apply these in practice. When needed, we can offer medication, for example to support the goal of drinking less. We keep the pace up, with the principle that every encounter between you and us should bring something valuable. Many executives from business, non-profits, and the intellectual community in the Netherlands have already taken this path.