Referral and Intake Procedure
Cristina Zwaan - Psychiatrie en Psychotherapie provides psychiatric care within specialized mental healthcare (SGGZ). Access to this level of care requires a referral from a qualified physician.
In most cases, the referral is provided by the general practitioner (GP). Other medical specialists, such as a geriatric specialist or occupational physician (bedrijfsarts), may also refer patients to psychiatric care.
The referring physician determines whether specialized mental healthcare is appropriate and includes the relevant medical information in the referral letter. This referral letter should be presented at the first appointment.
Registration and First Contact
Once a referral letter has been issued, you may contact Cristina Zwaan - Psychiatrie en Psychotherapie by email to request an appointment.
After receiving your request, I may first consult with the referring physician in order to make an appropriate assessment of the most suitable treatment trajectory and to prevent possible misunderstandings.
You will also receive a registration form by email, which I kindly ask you to complete prior to the first consultation.
The referral letter contains relevant medical information and helps determine whether specialized mental healthcare is the appropriate form of treatment. The referral letter should be presented at the first appointment.
Intake Consultation
After registration, an intake consultation will be scheduled. During this appointment, sufficient time is devoted to gaining a clear understanding of the concerns for which help is sought, as well as the personal and professional context in which these difficulties occur.
Based on this assessment, a problem analysis will be made and a provisional diagnosis may be established.
Treatment Plan
Following the intake, a treatment proposal will be discussed. If the patient agrees with the proposed approach, a treatment plan will be established and treatment can begin.
In accordance with standard medical practice, feedback about the assessment and treatment plan will be communicated to the referring general practitioner, unless the patient indicates otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What are the waiting times?
The actual waiting times for intakes and treatments are currently approximately six weeks.
If the waiting time becomes longer than is considered acceptable, it is always possible to consult with your general practitioner about alternative options.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you are unable to attend an appointment, please inform the practice at least 24 hours in advance.
Appointments that are cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled time, or missed appointments without prior notice, will be charged a no-show fee of €100.
Please note that no-show fees are not reimbursed by health insurance.
This policy helps ensure that appointment times remain available for other patients who require care.
What to do in an emergency or crisis situation?
The practice does not provide 24-hour emergency services.
If you experience an acute psychological crisis outside of scheduled appointments, please contact:
- your general practitioner (GP)
- the out-of-hours GP service (Huisartsenpost)
- or, in case of immediate danger, call 112
These services are able to provide urgent assistance when needed.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Patient rights and the handling of personal data are governed by several Dutch laws and professional regulations, including the Medical Treatment Contracts Act (WGBO), the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (BIG), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR / AVG).
All personal and medical information is treated as strictly confidential. Information will not be shared with third parties without explicit consent, except where required by law.
Patient records are stored securely and retained in accordance with legal requirements. Medical records are generally kept for 20 years, after which they are destroyed.
In accordance with requirements from health insurers, certain diagnostic information and Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) data may be requested. If you object to the sharing of this information, you may indicate this and the information will not be provided.
The practice takes great care to ensure the protection of patient privacy and the secure handling of medical information.
Professional Registration and Quality
Dr. Cristina Zwaan is a board-certified medical specialist in psychiatry. The practice operates in accordance with the professional standards and ethical guidelines that apply to psychiatric care in the Netherlands.
Complaints Procedure
The practice aims to provide care of the highest possible quality. If you have a concern or complaint about your treatment, it is encouraged to first discuss this directly so that a solution can be sought together.
If the issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily, you may contact an independent complaints officer. For more details, please refer to the full complaints procedure.
Want to know more?
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!