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Hoda Haddad
Psychologist
I help individuals with stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems in a safe & collaborative space. We do this at your pace, while gently stretching your comfort zone so real change becomes possible!
I specialise in:
About me
My name is Hoda. I'm a clinical psychologist based in the Netherlands, 36 y/o & happily married, and I'm here to tell you a bit more about myself and my professional path that has been anything but linear:
I was born and raised in Iran, where I initially chose a technical academic path driven by a strong interest in mathematics, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. I studied engineering in Iran, and later completed a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Germany, where I worked in the Plastics Technology Department as a researcher. While I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of this work, something felt missing. I could optimize systems and solve complex problems, yet struggled to find a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment. I found myself increasingly preoccupied with questions about human experience that engineering could not answer — such as what gives life a sense of meaning, how we make sense of suffering and deal with uncertainty, and how identity, belonging, and purpose are shaped when we encounter a new culture or major life transition.
This shift did not happen overnight. Alongside my technical studies, I had a long-standing curiosity about psychology and inner life. From an early age, I was drawn to understanding emotions, especially those that are felt strongly but are difficult to put into words. As my desire for a more meaningful and fulfilling life deepened, this curiosity moved from the background to the center of my life and ultimately led me to make a deliberate career change and pursue psychology: I completed my bachelor’s degree at Leiden University with cum laude distinction and was honored as valedictorian. I was then granted direct admission to the highly competitive master’s program in Clinical Psychology at Leiden University, which I also completed cum laude. As part of my master’s training, I gained hands-on clinical experience during a seven-month internship at Kühler & Partners International Mental Health, for which I received a grade of 9.5/10.
Over the past years, I have gained experience working with adults in international mental health settings in the Netherlands across a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety (social anxiety, OCD, health anxiety, generalized anxiety, existential anxiety, specific phobia), burnout, adjustment difficulties, trauma, and neurodivergence (ADHD and autism). My work has included conducting intakes, providing psychological treatment, and carrying out psychodiagnostic assessments with expats and international adults.
I currently work part-time as a psychologist at an Amsterdam-based mental health clinic, alongside my private practice, Serenity Psychology.
Having lived in multiple countries myself, I understand firsthand the emotional impact of relocation — from feelings of isolation and questions of identity to rebuilding routines and a sense of belonging. This lived experience allows me to meet my clients with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and genuine understanding. In therapy, I aim to create a safe, collaborative space where your experiences are taken seriously, your emotions can be named and understood, and meaningful change can unfold at your own pace.
If you wish to know more about me, check out my website and my blog!
I speak:
Location:
Media Gallery
Approach
My work as a psychologist is integrative and tailored to the individual. This means that I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on what is most helpful for you. Some situations benefit from structure, clarity, and careful analysis; others require emotional depth, reflection, and space — and often, a combination of both.
I work with evidence-based approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance- and commitment-based therapy (ACT). Together, we explore how past experiences, current patterns, and personal values influence the way you feel, relate, and function in the present. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I aim to understand the underlying processes that maintain distress, while also supporting practical and meaningful change. I also offer EMDR to individuals with experiences of past traumatic events.
I am attentive to the broader context of my clients’ lives. Cultural background, migration history, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, and other aspects of identity are not peripheral, but often deeply intertwined with psychological experience. These factors are openly acknowledged and thoughtfully integrated into our work, as they can significantly shape vulnerability, resilience, and how distress is expressed.
As my background suggests, I have a strong interest in machines and their underlying mechanisms, including the brain. An important part of my work involves attention to the connection between mind and body. Many people cope by relying heavily on cognition — thinking things through, pushing on, and holding themselves together — while stress and tension gradually accumulate in the body. I use bottom-up approaches to help clients notice bodily signals, understand what they may be communicating, and gradually experience the body not as a source of threat, but as a resource for regulation, insight, and resilience.
Therapy and assessment are collaborative processes. We regularly reflect on our focus, the pace of the work, and how the process feels for you. Decisions are discussed openly, and your boundaries, autonomy, and consent are respected throughout.
Experience
Licensed and registered with the Dutch Institute of Psychologists (NIP) Credential ID 237730
Psychologist and founder at Serenity Psychology - Amsterdam/The Hague/Online https://serenity-psychology.com/
Psychologist at Mentalspot - Amsterdam 2025 - present
Psychologist - Kühler & Partners International Mental Health 2025
Psychologist in Training - Kühler & Partners International Mental Health 2024
German Language Docent - University of Paderborn and Self-Employed 2016 - 2023
Research Assistant - University of Paderborn Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Technology Department 2018 - 2019
Education
MSc Clinical Psychology - Leiden University GPA: cum laude (8.6)
- Clinical Internship: My 7-month clinical internship at Kuhler & Partners International Mental Health was graded 9.5 (20 ECT).
- Courses: Cognitive behavioral interventions - 9.5 (5 ECT), Psychopathology and Therapeutic skills - 9 (5 ECT)
- Master's Thesis: From early adversity to late-life symptoms: Exploring psychosocial pathways in older adults with bipolar disorder - 8 (20 ECT)
BSc International Bachelor of Psychology - Leiden University GPA: Valedictorian
- Courses: Clinical psychology: 8.5 (10 ECT), Health and medical psychology: 8.5 (5 ECT), Developmental psychopathology: 8.5 (5 ECT), Biopsychology and neuropsychology: 9 (5 ECT)
- Bachelor's Thesis: Do Big Five personality traits predict depression and anxiety among adults? The moderating role of religion, education, and gender using a large, open-source dataset - 8 (15 ECT)
Clinical Trainings
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (VGCT accredited)
Previous Education
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MSc Industrial Engineering, Specialized in Mechanical Engineering - Paderborn Universität (Germany)
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BSc Industrial Engineering - Isfahan University of Technology (Iran) (ranked in the top 1% on the national entrance exam)
Services
Intro Call
Intake Assessment
Individual Session
Couples Session
Insurances
