Free helpline and live chat
Choices Live Chat, Free Helpline and App
We know that life in the AZC is not easy for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. It is especially difficult to find someone you can trust and talk to. Choices offers a free anonymous helpline 0800 0333 and live chat service for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and status holders.
Call 0800 0333Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. or chat with us!
Live chat is available Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoons, Friday mornings, and Tuesday evening live chat is there specifically for transgender asylum seekers.
Click (during opening hours) on the live chat button below
Through the helpline and live chat you will be in contact with trained LGBTQI+ volunteers and psychologists who can provide immediate support and connect you with the help you need.
All volunteers speak multiple languages: we understand your needs in your own language! Every day there is someone who can speak to you in English or another language such as Arabic, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian or Russian.
For transgender asylum seekers, we offer medical consultations related to transition in the AZC. Medical consultations are available in addition to our psychological counseling. After registering as a client, our psychologists can schedule an appointment with our transgender medical specialist.
Call the free helpline
0800-0333
Contact our trained volunteers by calling us toll-free on 0800 0333 Monday through Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. Below is who is available on what day, what time and what languages they speak. Everyone speaks English. If you want to speak to someone who speaks your language, check the list below to find the right person.
If you want, you can also download the Choices app for treatment, testing and wellness. You can do this by scanning the QR code above or by clicking on the link. The Choices app allows you to connect to a network of "queer-friendly" services in the Netherlands. The Choices app is an online healthcare network and is available in English, Dutch and Arabic.
Our volunteers
The volunteers at Choices Support Center are all trained and among them are also several psychologists ready to answer a variety of calls for you. Our comprehensive training includes multiple modules such as counseling skills, active listening, conflict resolution, role play and the asylum process. Additional training includes: suicide prevention, incidents of sexual violence; HIV/SOA testing; PrEP information and problematic drug use. Choices volunteers receive clinical supervision and administrative support.
Upon written request, we are happy to share our training program and procedures. Choices' toll-free helpline operates according to the helpline quality standards developed by Child Helpline International, Red Cross Crisis Call Centers and Red Cross Psychological First Aid Field Worker guidelines.
Helpline weekly schedule
Monday Helpline:
Monday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Siobhan (ESP/CA/NL/EN)
My name is Siobhan. I am half Irish and half Spanish. I completed my master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Leiden University, where I became interested in the treatment of depression and trauma. I have done a lot of research in this and gained experience through my work. With my professional experience as a behaviorist in Amsterdam and my current role as a psychologist at LifEm, I am skilled in treating depression, anxiety and trauma. I have volunteered with World Psychologists, providing psychological support to refugees, and have been actively involved in human rights causes through my work for Amnesty International and other organizations. As an international living in the Netherlands, I empathize greatly with the challenges faced by newcomers, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to our community. I love being a volunteer at Choices, where I hope to make a positive impact by supporting people from diverse backgrounds. (ESP/CA/EN/EN).
Monday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Santiago (EN/DU)
My name is Santiago. I am from the Philippines. I came to the Netherlands to get my bachelor's degree in psychology. I just completed a master's degree in social and cultural anthropology. For my master's thesis, I worked with Mainline Foundation as an intern and research associate to improve current services for transgender people participating in chemsex (drugs and sex). Harm reduction and working with people in vulnerable positions is what I plan to do in my life. I am passionate about helping people with problems, such as mental health, migration and substance abuse issues. That is why I am motivated to volunteer for Choices Support Center, because the organization perfectly matches my values and interests. Please feel free to contact me. I speak English and German (EN/DU).
Tuesday Helpline:
Tuesday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tanya (UKR/RUS/EN)
My name is Tanya and I am originally from Ukraine. Eight years ago, I made the Netherlands my home. With over 15 years of experience as a psychologist, I am passionate about helping people live a better life. In our sessions, you can expect me to listen attentively, provide the support you need, motivate you and share new perspectives. I have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals from migrant backgrounds, and drawing on my personal experience with migration, I understand the unique challenges they face. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone who calls me. I can offer sessions in Ukrainian, Russian and English. (UKR/RUS/EN).
Tuesday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Elif Yüksel (TR/EN)
My name is Elif. I am from Turkey, but have been living in the Netherlands for four years. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Amsterdam. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I truly believe that psychological support should be accessible to everyone and I am passionate about helping others. That is why I am excited to partner with Choices Support Center. If you need help or just someone to talk to, don't hesitate to contact me! I speak both Turkish and English. (TR/EN).
Choices introduces medical consultation for transgender asylum seekers
Wednesday Helpline:
Wednesday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Alina (EN/RU)
My name is Alina and I was born in Kazakhstan. I graduated in psychology from the University of Amsterdam, with a specialization in clinical and social psychology. I also volunteered to provide psychological support to victims of the war in Ukraine. I am immensely aware of the unique struggle of the Russian-speaking LGBTQIA+ community at the intersection of political, religious and social persecution. As a Choices helpline volunteer, I strive to provide the best support I can. Feel free to call me if you need help or just someone to listen to you. (EN/RU).
Wednesday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Mustafa (AR/EN)
Hello, my name is Mustafa Saleem, I am from Palestine and have been living in the Netherlands for five years. The first two years I lived in an AZC. When I got my citizenship, I started studying and I just got a PhD in crisis management. I am a therapist and coach in Amsterdam. With years of experience in therapy, coaching and training, I have developed an approach that revolves around empathy, motivation and practical problem solving to help clients overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. I am certified in several therapeutic techniques, including Havening, EMDR, anti-aging therapy, PEAT and cognitive behavioral therapy, which I use to help clients manage issues such as anxiety, depression and self-development. My goal is to provide a safe and understanding space where everyone feels seen and supported. I am fluent in Arabic, proficient in English and conversational in Dutch. If you need support or someone to talk to, feel free to contact me. You are not alone (AR/EN).
Thursday Helpline:
Thursday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Sevdenur (TR/EN/PT)
My name is Sevdenur. I am half Turkish and half Belgian, but raised in Portugal and Finland. I am currently studying my bachelor's degree in Psychology at Leiden University, specializing in Clinical Psychology. Through my experiences and social connections, I became more aware of the problems LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face. Therefore, I wanted to be part of this team to provide as much help as possible. My goal is to be available, to listen and let you know that you are heard, accepted and supported, to generally help you feel stronger. That's why I became a volunteer at the Choices Support Center and am studying psychology. I hope I can help you. I speak Turkish, English and Portuguese. (TR/EN/PT).
Thursday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Gaukhar (EN/RU)
Hello, my name is Gaukhar and I am from Kazakhstan. I am studying psychology at the University of Padova in Italy. I have always wanted to contribute to making psychological help more accessible to people. That is why I am here at Choices because the helpline offers an easy opportunity to speak with someone who is a psychologist. I have experience in Counseling Psychology and I speak both English and Russian. If you feel like talking about something that is bothering you, or if you have inner conflicts such as dealing with stress, being alone in the AZC, problems with drug abuse, or are just looking for a non-judgmental listener, don't hesitate to call me. (EN/RU)
Friday Helpline:
Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Selin (TR/EN)
My name is Selin and I am from Cyprus. I completed my bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Amsterdam and my master's degree in child and adolescent psychology at Leiden University. I currently work as a therapist for children with autism, helping them with their difficulties and reaching their full potential. Having experience volunteering in support and counseling services, I understand how important it is to talk to someone freely, in a non-judgmental way when you feel overwhelmed and exhausted. My in-depth knowledge of the challenges LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face, including the obstacles in adjusting to a new country or dealing with life's daily problems, motivates me to volunteer and lend a helping hand at Choices. I will do my best to help you in any way I can. I speak Turkish and English fluently, so don't hesitate to call me and let's do this together! (TR/EN).
Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Elena (MK/EN/FR/RS)
Hello all, my name is Elena. I am from Macedonia. I received my master's degree in developmental psychology in France. During my studies, in addition to gaining research and clinical skills, I developed multicultural competence by working with people from diverse backgrounds. Being an expat myself, I can understand the unique position you are in. I am here to support you by providing emotional and social support. You are not alone, together we can overcome your problems. I speak Macedonian, English, French and Serbian (MK/EN/FR/RS).
Download our free Choices 4 Better Living app.
You can use the links below to download the multilingual Choices app with free helpline. The Choices 4 Better Living app is designed to help you find suitable stigma-free queer-friendly care and assistance providers in the Netherlands.
Our app is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Volunteer
Choices welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer with us. We kindly ask you to fill out an application form on our website. Upon receipt of your application, we will see if you will be invited for an interview. Because answering helpline calls requires specific skills, not everyone who applies will be considered.
The application process is a two-step process. All potential volunteers are first interviewed by the director. After the first stage is completed, the selected person is interviewed and screened by our psychologist to ensure that this person is capable of answering the helpline. We want to make sure that all our volunteers are psychologically prepared and emotionally strong enough to talk to callers who are under great emotional stress and struggling with trauma, isolation and PTSD
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