HELPLINE

Often people call the Helpline because they feel overwhelmed or anxious. They are exhausted from trying to cope with their personal difficulties, sometimes with no one else to turn to. It can take courage to reach out for help. It can also be a first step on the path of rediscovering the light of hope at the end of the tunnel.

People call for all sorts of reasons – some may be experiencing a major crisis, or just need a chat because they feel lonely.

WHATEVER THE REASON, IF YOU NEED TO TALK, WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN.

HELPLINE CALLER TESTIMONIES

Thank you for listening. I normally find it hard to open up about my feelings, but with this Helpline being anonymous, it makes it easier for me to open up.

Thank you for your time. I just want you to know that you saved a life tonight.

I used the Helpline and they really helped me to get through a very dark time.

Thank you for being here. I felt completely lost when I called, but you’ve been so kind and patient. It really feels like you care. I’m feeling a little lighter, and that means everything.

I don’t know what I would have done without you tonight. You listened when I needed it most. Thank you.

It wasn’t easy to reach out, but I’m so glad I did. The support you’ve given me has helped me see a way forward. Thank you for being there.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I called, but this was exactly what I needed—someone to talk to without judgment. You’ve really helped me process my thoughts and find the strength to take the next step.

I just want to say that it really helped to be able to talk things through. I see much more clearly now.

Thank you for listening. I normally find it hard to open up about my feelings, but with this Helpline being anonymous, it makes it easier for me to open up.

Thank you for your time. I just want you to know that you saved a life tonight.

HELPLINE FAQ

Who can call?

The Helpline is an English-language support Helpline for all ages. Even if you are under 18, you can call us. Everything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence. We are here for you.

Why call?

Whatever you are going through, we are here to listen.

We are trained to listen to you, and not to judge, label or diagnose you.
We are here to help you explore whatever is going on in your life, in a safe environment. You only have to tell us what you feel comfortable to share.
We will focus on your thoughts and feelings, and may ask questions to help you explore these.

You do not have to be in a crisis to call us. It’s enough if you just feel that you need someone to talk to.

I would like to talk to someone, but I don’t know how to start the conversation.

We understand that it can take courage to call the Helpline and speak to a stranger. When you call, you don’t need to know what to say.

If you are anxious about starting the conversation, feel free to express that or just to say “I don’t know where to start”.
Our trained volunteers are patient and will try to put you at your ease. They will wait until you feel ready to talk. They may ask you a question to start the conversation if you don’t know where to start.

What sort of things can I talk about?

We are here to listen to you, whatever you are going through. No issue is too big or too small. Our volunteers understand that life throws up different challenges and that at times we may struggle to cope.

Some callers just need a chat because they are feeling lonely.
Others may be going through a crisis or feeling suicidal. If you are feeling suicidal please see the next question.
Some examples of issues that often come up are:
Abuse | Addiction | Anxiety | Bullying | Feeling Overwhelmed | Grief | Hopelessness | Burn out | Depression | Loneliness | Stress | Relationship difficulties

What if I am feeling suicidal?

Our volunteers are trained to talk with you about your suicidal thoughts and to explore your feelings. They are not afraid to deal with difficult issues. They will respect you in the way that you feel and the decisions that you take.

But we do hope that by calling the Helpline you may discover that you have other options for getting through this difficult time.

As well as calling the Helpline, do consider other people that you can turn to for help. These may include:

Your doctor/general practitioner or a mental health professional
Family or friends
If you are a student, your school/college/university will have counsellors available that you can turn to

Can I call you for practical information about life in Belgium?

Yes. For example, if you are new to Belgium or perhaps visiting for a short stay and you run into difficulties, we may be able to guide you as to what to do or who to contact. We have a number of resources we can consult.
If you are not sure, do give us a call and we will do our best to provide you with appropriate information. If we are unable to help, we will try to put you in touch with someone else that can.

What happens when you call?

One of our listening volunteers will answer your call in English saying something like, ‘Hello, the CHS Helpline’.
If all our volunteers are busy on calls or otherwise unavailable, you will hear a recorded message asking you to call back later. You will not be able to leave a message. Please do call back.

Do I have to speak English?

Our Helpline is for English-speakers only.
You do not need to be fluent in English to call us.
Our trained volunteers are used to speaking with callers for whom English is not their first language.
We are unable to provide our services in French or Dutch but there are other 24/7 Helpline’s available in these languages such as:

Télé-Accueil French-speaking Tel: 107

Prevention Suicide French-speaking Tel: 0800 32123

Zelfmoordlijn Dutch-speaking Tel: 1813

Tele-Onthaal Dutch-speaking Tel: 106

What information do I need to give about myself when I call? Will you ask my name or other personal information?

The Helpline is anonymous and everything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence.
We never ask for personal information. You do not have to tell us your name if you do not want to.
You choose exactly how much or how little information you wish to disclose about yourself.
We do not share anything you say outside the CHS Helpline team.

I called the Helpline and the line went dead in the middle of the conversation.

It can happen that while you are speaking to a volunteer the connection may go dead. Sometimes this is due to a network issue or technical problem.

Please know that our volunteers will not hang up on you in the middle of a call.
In exceptional circumstances, for example if a caller is abusive, they will end a call. In such cases, you will be given plenty of warning in advance.
If you have not received such a warning and the call goes dead unexpectedly, do not expect the Helpline volunteer to call you back. Your call is anonymous.
If you wish to continue the conversation, please call the Helpline again.

I am concerned about somebody I know. Can I call the Helpline to talk about my concerns?

If you are concerned about somebody else, you are welcome to call the Helpline to discuss the circumstances. We may be able to point you towards some useful resources available in Belgium that can address the situation.
However, in order to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of our Helpline, please understand that our volunteers cannot intervene on your or anyone else’s behalf.

If I need to call again, can I speak to the same listening volunteer?

You are very welcome to call as many times as you need to but please note that you are not likely to speak to the same listening volunteer. To protect caller identity, the Helpline operates anonymously and there is no pattern to staffing.

Are there any costs to calling?

For callers from Belgian numbers, CHS does not charge for the duration of your call to the Helpline, but you may incur a small connection fee which would depend on your provider/telephone contract.

Misusing the Helpline

Please note that if you are abusive towards our listening volunteers or are otherwise abusing the Helpline, we may use our system to block or limit your calls.

Concerns / Complaints

Should you wish to make a complaint about the organisation and/or service provided on the Helpline, you may email us at office@chsbelgium.org, and your complaint will be dealt with promptly. For more details see our page on Feedback.

Volunteering with the Helpline

The Helpline is always looking for English-speaking volunteers living in Belgium to join our team. CHS offers training to all new volunteers as well as supervision and ongoing support once you start to taking calls. If you are looking for a way of making a real difference in people’s lives as well as joining a team of caring individuals do get in touch to find out more. Click here for more info on volunteering with CHS

“It is good to know that I can be, in a way, a shoulder to cry on for some people who are lonely, isolated or overburdened with life in general. The fact that I am helping a fellow human being at a vulnerable moment is very rewarding. I feel like I am passing on the support that I got in my life, in difficult moments, from kind people.” – Helpline volunteer

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CENTRE

CHS operates a Mental Health Services Centre (MHSC) in Brussels, home to an international clinical team of therapists and affiliated professionals, providing support by appointment for a comprehensive range of mental health concerns.

OUR CLINICAL TEAM

Our team offers diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for a wide range of mental health issues including:

severe mental disorders
anxieties and phobias
low esteem and searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.

The MHSC team of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists draws on a variety of therapeutic approaches to provide tailored support. We work with individuals of all ages, couples, and families, ensuring compassionate and professional care. All our professionals speak English, and many also offer support in other languages.

The MHSC also provides psycho-educational assessments for those with learning difficulties from the age of 3 and up. We can test for specific learning and/or attention disorders. Assessments are available in English, French and German.

Appointments: To book an appointment with members of our Clinical Team please contact the CHS Office from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 13:00 on +32 (0)2 647 67 80

MHSC TESTIMONIES

We went to CHS for our son (2e child) and we were helped by Dr Jonathan Shin. He is an extremely good and professional person in his field. He helped us a lot in understanding him.

Well established service helping those with mental health issues. To be highly recommended.

Had our teenage son tested by Nikki Josephson. She identified a learning issue that no one else had spotted which allowed our son more time in his IB exams. Great service.

We went to CHS for our son (2e child) and we were helped by Dr Jonathan Shin. He is an extremely good and professional person in his field. He helped us a lot in understanding him.

Well established service helping those with mental health issues. To be highly recommended.

CLINICAL TEAM FAQ

Where is the Mental Health Services Centre?

The Mental Health Services Centre is located just off Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, two blocks down from the University (ULB) and on the same side. The address is Avenue des Phalènes 26 (Nachtvlinderslaan 26), 1000 Brussels. Click here to view a map.

Who can call the Mental Health Services Centre?

Anyone who would like to make an appointment with one of our therapists or who would like to find out more about our services. The working language of the Centre is English, although some of our clinical team do work in other languages.

What will I be asked when I call?

Your call will be answered by one of our office volunteers who will ask you to provide contact information and brief details of the issues you wish to talk about. This enables us to set up an appointment with the appropriate therapist. All information is treated in the strictest confidence.

What kind of therapists work in the Centre?

The two clinical teams (Adults; Children, Adolescents and Family) comprise psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists. All are professionally qualified and experienced practitioners. For a list of individual team members and their areas of expertise go to The Clinical Team. The administrative work of the office is carried out by a team of trained volunteers.

How much will a consultation cost me?

As soon as a therapist is allocated to you, you may contact your therapist by email or telephone to find out more about the fee before your first session. Several factors are considered in determining the cost. Following a discussion with your therapist, a reasonable consultation fee will be decided on. Your health insurance may help to cover the cost but you should check this with your insurer, as schemes differ.

Are there any special services available to children?

Yes. The Children, Adolescents and Family Team at the Centre comprises a child psychiatrist, and child and educational psychologists. They offer child and family psychotherapy, as well as behavioural and other problem assessments. They also offer particular testing for specific areas of learning difficulty – this testing is available in English, French and German.

What are the opening hours of the Centre?

The Administrative Office is open from 10h00 to 16h00, Monday to Friday (July and August from 10h00 to 13h00). However, therapists also work outside these hours. We try to make appointments to suit the client, and some of our therapists offer appointments in the evenings or on Saturdays.

How do I make an appointment?

If you would like to make an appointment, please telephone the office on 02 647 67 80. Currently, the telephone lines are open from 10h00 to 13h00, Monday to Friday. Your call will be answered by one of our office volunteers. Wherever possible, we ask all clients to contact the office by telephone in the first instance. Subsequent correspondence can be conducted by email if more convenient. When an appointment is offered, you will be requested to confirm back to the Co-ordinator and the Therapist, within 48 hours. Kindly ensure you reply to all.

How soon would I get an appointment?

We try to offer you an appointment as soon as we can. However, please note that during periods of heavy demand, the Centre may not be able to offer you an appointment, in which case we will provide you information about alternative professionals. We encourage you to talk to your GP (family doctor) about an alternative referral. In case of an emergency, please contact the psychiatric department of your nearest hospital.

Feedback / Concerns

Should you wish to make a complaint about the organisation and/or service provided, you may email us at office@chsbelgium.org, and your complaint will be dealt with promptly. Should the complaint relate to the professional conduct of a specific member of the clinical team then please address your email to complaints@chsbelgium.org

MEMBERS OF THE CLINICAL TEAM

Listed below are the individual members of our professional team, with a brief description of their qualifications and their therapeutic approach.

Chris Grogan

Clinical psychologist
Children, Teenagers, Families (therapy). Adults & Children (Psychometric Testing).
Eclectic approach inc. cognitive behavioural therapy, third wave therapies and attachment based interventions.
Specialisation in Psychometric testing – ADHD, Educational Testing, Neuropsychological Testing.
I have a holistic approach, which can involve working directly with parents and children or engaging with schools depending on what is the most suitable intervention.
English

Jean Charles Le Febvre

Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Adults and Families.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist (CBT)
Specialised in CBT, ACT, cognitive remediation, family approach and psychoeducational assessment
Long experience in helping individuals and families to deal with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis using an integrative approach.
English and French.

Vanessa Goodman

Clinical Psychologist
Adults
Eclectic approach integrating EMDR, short-term therapy and Jungian psychoanalysis
Specialising in burn-out, trauma, grief and cancer patients
English, French, and Dutch

Berta Figueras | Clinical Psychology Doctorate

Clinical psychologist
Children, adolescents, adults
Eclectic approach drawing from a range of therapeutic models (systemic, narrative, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioural)
Professional accreditation as Clinical Psychologist in Belgium (SPF VISA registration), UK (HCPC registration), and Spain (COPC registration)
Many years of experience in both the public and private sectors
English, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, French

Jonathan Shin | PhD

Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Children and Adolescents
School difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, attention & memory difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders..)
High potential and gifted Children
Psycho-educational assessments for children and adolescents in English and French
English, French, Dutch, Italian

Lisa Classen | MA

Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Adults
Individual psychotherapy, psychoanalytical approach
Pharmacological treatment of mental disorders
More than 20 years of experience in hospital and outpatient settings
English, Lithuanian, Russian

Junona Sklenskiene | MD

Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Adults
Individual psychotherapy, psychoanalytical approach
Pharmacological treatment of mental disorders
More than 20 years of experience in hospital and outpatient settings
English, Lithuanian, Russian

Sarah Przednowek | MD

Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Trained in systemic therapy with additional training in mentalization based therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy
Specialized in perinatal issues
English and French

Kwan-Yin Bruhl | PhD

Clinical and cognitive-behavioural psychologist.
Children, adolescents, adults.
Psycho-educational assessments in English and French for children and adolescents.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for adults and children.
Psycho-pedagogical therapy for children with learning problems
Specialises in Autistic Spectrum Disorder and social skills training for children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome
Specialises in Applied Behavioural Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for children/adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Developed the Situated Behaviour Interventions Method (SBI-Method).
Provides SBI-Method training for parents of children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders.
Provides training for teachers on behaviour management in the classroom using the SBI-Method for schools.
English, French

Eric Dachy | MD

Child psychiatrist. Children and adolescents
Individual therapy for children and adolescents, family therapy
Psychosomatic therapy for post-traumatic and anxiety disorders
French, English

Dr. Malena Digiuni | (ClinPsyD)

Clinical Psychologist
Children, Adolescents and Families
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Family Psychotherapy, Mindfulness & Compassion-based approaches.
Specialising in the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Gained 15 years of experience training and working in the UK, before starting in private practice in Belgium.
English, Spanish, Italian

Linnéa Höök

Clinical Psychologist
Children, teens, adults, families
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, Play Therapy
Value-based approach, Mindfulness, Psycho-educational & ADHD testing
Experience mostly in private settings, Scandinavian background
Swedish, English, Dutch

Nicole Josephson | MA Clin Psych MSc Org Psych

Clinical Psychologist
Adolescents and Adults
Client-centred and solution-focused CBT and ACT
Specialising in assessment and treatment of Neurodivergent clients (psycho educational testing, specialising in Female ADHD and ASD)
30 years of experience in mostly private settings
English

Marie-Thérèse Kastl | MA

Clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, psychotherapist
Children, adolescents, adults
English, French, German

Marta Noordhoek | MA

Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist
Adults, couples, adolescents
Psychodynamic approach
English, Polish

Roselind Notrica | MA

Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist
Adults and adolescents
Psychodynamic approach
English, French

Ingrid Owens | MA

Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist
Adults, Adoptive parents
Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Focusing Oriented Therapy
Therapeutic approach informed by client-centred, humanistic theory, psychoanalytic theory, attachment theory, Sensory Psychomotor therapy for trauma, adoption and developmental trauma theories.
Many years of experience, working across a broad range of issues with a focus on experiential methods which create new possibilities for moving forward
English

Chana Schneps

Psychiatric social worker, psychotherapist
Adults, individuals and couples
All kinds of emotional difficulties. Eclectic approach. Working in a psychodynamic and systemic way.
Specialised in bereavement therapy
English, Hebrew, French

Dr. Perrine Van Doosselaere

Psychiatrist
Systemic therapist
Adults, Families, Couples
Working with all types of situations, always focusing on the individual in their particular context
Hospital and private setting experience, offering medical interventions as well as psychotherapy
English and French

AFFILIATED PROFESSIONALS

Our Affiliated Professionals

We have a team of Affiliated Professionals who offer consultations and classes to support overall well-being in areas such as mindfulness, eating disorders, family mediation and therapy, as well as life and career coaching.

Appointments: To make an appointment, please contact the relevant Affiliated Professional directly. Full contact details are listed for each member of the team below.

Gabriella Fitterer | Mindfulness

Certified Mindfulness MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) and Meditation teacher
Beneficial to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, emotional and physical pain
Courses for adults and children : small group classes, and individual 1:1
No meditation experience required
Education: HR consultant specialised in personal development
Languages: English, German, French
For appointments contact: gfitterer@googlemail.com, or +32(0)498 852824
Website: Gabriella-mindfulness.com

Julie Rentmeesters | Family Mediation | MA

Accreditated Family Mediator, Jurist
Cross-Border Family Mediator: international aspects, parent child abduction
Couples, Families: divorce, separation, practical questions about children, inheritance, relationships
Ongoing training in Systemic Family Therapy at La Forestière-ULB
Certificate in Psychoanalysis at Clinique du couple Chapelle-aux-Champs
Languages: English, French
For appointments contact: jr@familymediation.be or +32 (0)471 90 08 03
www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rentmeesters-a5b45b30

Emily Riley | Coaching for Adults and Teens

Certified career and orientation Coach, International Coaching Federation.
Nova Terra Accredited Coach Training Programme (ACTP) and Coaching Ways certified academic coach.
Trained as an EU lawyer and social justice advocate.
For adults wanting something different in their work life or career : better balance, looking for a new job, improving the situation in current job, looking for a change of career, difficult workplace dynamics …Coaching offers people who want change in their situation or career to find possibilities that are right for them. It may help to identify or stay on track with goals, explore options, working out what’s important to the person.
For teens / young adults’ (16 to 25) future orientation (studies or other future project).
For teens, the work is helpful to clarify what they may want to contribute to the world, who they are and want to be, and how they go about moving forward or accepting a certain situation.
Languages: English, French
For appointments calendly.com/emilyrileycoaching or contact: emily.riley@pixielight.com tel +32 492 888 777