Nicole Drinkwater


I am of German nationality and have lived in the Netherlands since 2000.

My professional background is in science, with a Master’s degree in chemistry, and I have taught in both Germany and the USA (where I lived for 5 years).

Living in foreign countries, building up a new life and career, and raising children in a third-culture environment led me to change my professional path in 2004 and to study to become a counsellor And in spring 2008, I was awarded an advanced diploma in therapeutic counselling, accredited through the Counselling & Psychotherapy Awarding Body (CPCAB) in the UK. To further my education and to practice in the Netherlands, I obtained a diploma for the SHO Registeropleiding Psycholsociale Basiskennis in 2017, accredited by the SHO (Stichting Hoger Onderwijs). For continuous professional development, I have earned certificates in Compassionate Communication and Stress Counselling.

I help clients with such issues as adjusting to change, managing relationships, coping with stress and depression, and overcoming difficult life stages. I feel grateful and privileged to accompany my clients on their journey of greater awareness.

My approach to counselling is to focus on the client’s here-and-now experience, looking at the issue from different angles, and helping the client to gain more insight into and understanding of underlying issues and feelings, which I believe is the first step for change. I do believe in a person’s potential for growth and self-healing. Central to my approach is a supportive, accepting, and respectful relationship with my client.

My interest lies in the connection and relationship between the mind and body. In addition to counselling, I practice yoga, followed Tai Chi lessons for years and conduct meditation classes for personal development and greater awareness.

I counsel in English, German, and Dutch and see clients in Leiden and The Hague. (Leiden premises are wheelchair accessible but WC is not. The premises in The Hague have no wheelchair access.)

e-mail: nicole@icconnections.org

Phone: +31 6 1034 0785

My fee is 70 euro (exempt from VAT) for an individual, 50-minute session. In special circumstances, I can apply a sliding scale to reduce the fee, and I offer special rates for students.

Please refer to our FAQ page for information on insurance coverage.

I am registered with the following organizations:

  • Kamer van Koophandel Den Haag as Nicole Drinkwater Counselling (KvK number: 273715580000, BTW-ID: NL002427133B82)
  • the Algemene Beroepsvereniging voor Counselling (ABvC, here in the Netherlands, as a Registercounsellor ABvC
  • Register Beroepsbeoefenaren Complementaire Zorg (RBCZ)
  • Stichting voor Complementaire and Alternatieve Gezondheidszorg (SCAG, for complaints and mediation) (download the SCAG brochure)














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