Hi, I am Cheryl Ding, a KvK-registered counselor based in the Netherlands and author behind the social media accounts: @莱茵河畔的咨询师Cheryl (cding_aanderijn); and @荷陌生人不期而遇 (Encountering Strangers in the Netherlands).
After graduated from Southeast University (China) I oversaw recruitment and training in a Top 500 enterprise and was certified as a Strong® International Career Interest Evaluator by the Myers-Briggs Company (USA). Driven by empathy for individual well-being over corporate interests, I transitioned into counseling. After completing foundational training at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, I studied Clinical/Health & Medical Psychology and Sexology at Leiden University (Netherlands), and further trained in gender studies, migration, intercultural communication, sustainable living, and social work at Lund University (Sweden). Alongside, I take part in ongoing personal therapy, group therapy, supervision, and intervision from professionals across theoretical orientations from China, EU, the UK, the US, and New Zealand.
I ( previously) work voluntarily for Leiden University, Beijing LGBT Center, Bi+ Group China, and GenderDream.
Target audience and language of work
I work with adults in the following forms:
– Individual counseling
– Couples/relationship counseling
– Group counseling (for families, friends, or strangers)
Languages: English and Chinese (Mandarin & Wu dialect); Dutch proficiency at B2 level.
I focus on queer feminism, immigration and interculturalism, Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity (GSRD), neurodiversity, interpersonal dynamics, self-exploration and lifespan development, ageing, end-of-life issues, and grief. I am one of the few counselors in the Chinese-speaking world who has been working with polyamory (also known as ENM) for a long time (see full list of specialties).
I do not provide psychiatric diagnoses, medical treatment, or crisis intervention (e.g., suicide, violence, psychosis). For severe or urgent issues, I will advise you to seek local specialized services.
Unsure if we’re a good fit? Book a free/discounted introductory session to discuss your needs.
Style and Approaches
I am an integrative counselor with an embracing and inspirational style. My main approaches include psychodynamic, systemic family, existential-humanistic (gestalt), CBT, DBT, and postmodern therapies (mindfulness, multicultural, solution-focused, narrative, and feminist therapy).
Face-to-face and Online
Leiden, The Netherlands: Leiden Forest (pictures)
Utrecht, The Netherlands
I also work via Google Meet. To learn more, refer to my blog Nine Benefits of Online Counseling.
I am open to discussing the possibility of travelling to the visitor’s location on special occasions.
Insurance
I am not affiliated with any agency or health insurances. The advantages of self-funded counseling with an independent therapist include no commission fees, quicker appointments, freedom in topics, flexible session frequency, and a more personalized and humanistic approach compared to standardized processes. More in my blog Advantages of Self-Funded Counseling with an Independent Therapist.
Duration & Fees
Individual counseling
€100
✦
50 minutes
✦
Once or twice per week
✦
For offline counseling, a room-renting fee of €15-20 will be charged.
Couple counseling
€160
✦
80 minutes
✦
Once or twice per month
✦
For offline counseling, a room-renting fee of €15-20 will be charged.
Group counseling
€10-25
✦
90 minutes
✦
Once a week, 1-10 sessions
✦ Different topics
Chemistry Sessions & Preparatory Interviews
Chemistry Session
€0
10-15 minutes
Used to see whether both parties feel a certain “vibe” with each other
Suitable for:
Those who have enough knowledge about counseling and want to quickly experience whether a counselor is a good match for them
Preparatory Interview
€50
From March 2025, the price will become €50 (VAT included)
50 minutes
For detailed understanding of the counseling process, clarification of expectations, and Q&A
Suitable for:
Those who do not know enough about counseling, want to ask questions to a counselor, and are determined and ready to start counseling
See Ding, seeding 