Amsterdam recovery network

Peer support contracts, expertise by experience, and listening groups

CITB offers specialized mental healthcare based on a psychodynamic vision.

As a small-scale organization, we combine continuity, expertise, and a human approach. Within our team, we connect psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, psychiatric, and social psychiatric insights to provide integrated treatment. Through reflection, collaboration, and innovation, we continue to learn and improve our care, enabling patients to recover and develop optimally in an environment of trust and attention.

In addition to individual treatment, there is a broad network of recovery-oriented initiatives in Amsterdam: groups, experts by experience, and listening points that form a valuable complement to formal care.

The ecosystem of mental health

Prof. Dr. Jim van Os (Professor of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht) advocates for a new mental healthcare system in which recovery does not come solely from care providers, but from an entire ecosystem: professionals, experts by experience, peers, social networks, and the local neighborhood. This model, the Mental Health Ecosystem (GEM), connects formal care with informal support in the neighborhood.

CITB aligns with this vision by actively informing patients about the broader support network in Amsterdam. Recovery is a personal process that extends beyond the treatment room.

Amsterdam South-Easst – recovery in the neighborhood

GEM in Amsterdam South-East
Amsterdam South-East is one of the regions where Jim van Os’s ecosystem philosophy resonates strongly. The neighborhood is characterized by great diversity, a strong sense of community, and an active network of care organizations working together on recovery close to home.

Arkin/Mentrum is active with FACT Zuidoost, a recovery-oriented outpatient team with peer experts, trajectory coaches, and IPS consultants. TEAM ED also has ED locations in South-East where peer experts facilitate recovery groups and drop-in activities.

More information

Mentrum / Arkin — www.arkin.nl

TEAM ED activiteiten — www.teamed.nl

Depression

Depression association
Peer support, support groups, and telephone contact for people with depression and their loved ones. See link for more information: depressievereniging.nl 

Depressie connect
Online community for sharing experiences with depression. Available 24/7. See link for more information: www.depressieconnect.nl 

Anxiety en compulsion

ADF Foundation
Peer support groups for anxiety, OCD, and phobia, led by experts by experience. See link for more information: adfstichting.nl

Bibberbar
Online peer support for people with anxiety, compulsions, and panic. See link for more information.: www.bibberbar.nl

Psychosis en manic-depressive disorder

SCIP Amsterdam
Peer support groups at Keizersgracht 252, also for manic depression and psychosis. Client-driven initiative of De Regenboog Groep. See link for more information: scipweb.nl

Anoiksis
Association for people with schizophrenia, psychosis, and related disorders. Information, peer support, and advocacy. See link for more information: www.anoiksis.nl

Psychosenet
Online self-management center with information, personal stories, and chat with peer experts. See link for more information: www.psychosenet.nl

Listening groups in Amsterdam – een special initiative, right in the neighborhood

The Listening Groups were founded on a deep belief in the power of listening without judgment. In locations throughout Amsterdam, people gather in a circle to share daily experiences: worries, joys, and everything in between. Without advice, without judgment. Simply being heard.

The groups are facilitated by trained volunteers and are free and open to everyone; registration is not required. A meeting lasts an average of 1.5 hours. There is a walk-in period with coffee and tea beforehand.

Locations in Amsterdam

There are multiple active listening groups in different parts of the city.

Check the link for actual dates and locations: www.luistergroepen.org

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recovery – wide range in Amsterdam

Herstel Werkt Amsterdam
Wide range of recovery activities, courses, walk-ins, and peer support groups in Amsterdam, led by experts by experience. Search by district for offerings in your area. See link for more information: herstelwerkt.nl

TEAM ED – EDplaatsen
Experts by experience lead recovery groups, drop-ins, walks, and workshops at multiple locations in Amsterdam. Walk-ins are not required. See the link for more information: www.teamed.nl/activiteiten/

Team Herstel – Cordaan
Recovery groups, courses, and individual support by peer experts. Located in Amsterdam North. See link for more information: www.cordaan.nl/psychische-kwetsbaarheid/begeleiding/team-herstel/

MIND Atlas
Search platform for peer support and recovery organizations — search by location and type of support. See link for more information: mindplatform.nl

Direct contact and listening
For people who need someone to talk to immediately:

Social support

In addition to mental health care, the facilities listed below offer support in daily life:

• Social district team / neighborhood team: accessible support in the neighborhood, close to home
• FACT: flexible outpatient care for severe psychiatric disorders
• ACT: assertive outreach guidance in the home environment

About the CITB

Centrum voor Integrale Therapie en Begeleiding offers specialized mental health care based on a psychodynamic and integrative vision. We believe in recovery as a broad process that goes beyond symptom management, and actively refer patients to the extensive support network in Amsterdam.