Important health message
Due to Covid-19 please check with our clinicians to see how their services are being offered at this time. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Stay healthy,
Stay calm,
Stay connected!
A child's first language is the expressive arts!
Welcome to the Child Behavioral Health Network (refered to as the 'Network')! This initiative started by Amélie van den Brink-El Makkaoui (a multicultural, global nomad with roots in Burkina Faso & The Netherlands) started in The Hague in 2019 when she first arrived in the Netherlands in 2015 to practice as an Art Therapist.
After 4 years, she realized there was a lack of public knowledge on art therapy and its treatment benefits, especially for children, despite the country having an established Art Therapy Association and several schools dedicated to advancing the education, practice and research of art therapy and its approaches. It dawned on her that art therapy along with other alternative-expressive therapies such as dance/movement therapy, animal therapy, to a name a few, needed their own limelight and platform. Thus came the idea of a Network!
The idea behind the Network is two folds: first, the Network connects with independently registered and qualified mental health practitioners in the Netherlands (international branch coming soon) who specialize in treating children with various cognitive and behavioral issues; and two, to connect the wider public and parents, particularly Expats for who talk therapy has not been very effective. In tandem with this is the idea to close the mental health gap for internationals who often don't know where to go for specialized care or have to wait a long time to access treatment for their child(ren).
These therapies are in fact a child's first language-whether that is art making, moving, singing their hearts out, or having an animal as a companion to help them process their challenges-big or small! The therapies are backed by science/research for their effectiveness! And no prior experience is needed!
We serve children and teenagers from all cultural backgrounds and provide online and offline services in various languages.
Together, we form a virtual village of support for children and their families, helping to build inner resilience and hope for a brighter future.
School Observation
Sometimes schools and parents need an outsider’s perspective on how to better manage a child's behavior(s) in the classroom in order to help the child thrive. We can make assessments, including providing recommendations.
Free 15 minute call
If your child's mental distress is lasting longer than 2 months and is interfering with his or her home, school, and/or social life in general, then please consult with us. First 15 minutes are free of charge, after normal rates apply.