vision & goals

When you suddenly stop smoking, all kinds of alarms go off in the addicted brain to get your dose of nicotine. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, depression, weight gain or stress. However, smoking is also a psychological and behavioral addiction. The cigarette often dominates more actions and emotions than we think.

Quitting smoking is therefore not easy and extra support can make all the difference. Motivation and willpower alone is often not enough to beat the addiction. Aids such as nicotine replacements or medication, mental techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and modern technology are there to help you. As a recognized smoking cessation counsellor and psychologist (in Belgium), I look together with you at how you can break free from the addiction that is smoking in the way that best suits your needs and current smoking profile.

The combination of assistance with the addiction aspect and shaping the life you really want to lead is what makes sessions with a smoking cessation counsellor so valuable. Research shows that the support of a specialist significantly increases the success rate of a smoking cessation. For example, Tabakstop in Belgium reported that at the end of a personal counseling session, 48% of the participants were able to stop smoking. 25% of the participants confirmed they had stopped for more than 6 months and 23% for more than 1 year. In comparison: the average long-term success rate without help: only 3 to 5%.

Another advantage of working with me is my experience and knowledge as a health psychologist. I combine the methods as a smoking cessation counsellor with the mental techniques of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy/Training (a form of cognitive behavioral therapy) and exercise psychology. In this way we can immediately frame the smoking cessation in a healthier lifestyle that we build step by step. I will follow your pace and set out with you towards a smoke-free life.

Services & pricing

During a first, longer session, we map out your smoking profile and discuss a smoking cessation date that you can agree with. In the follow-up sessions we prepare you for the stop date and we look at what you need to perservere. Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Overview and choice between possible smoking cessation aids (medication, nicotine replacements, electronic cigarette)
  • Strengthening the choice to quit smoking, finding the right motivation
  • Tips & tricks to get through the first days after quitting
  • Coping with withdrawal symptoms and the desire to smoke
  • Stop tackling your stress by lighting a cigarette
  • Coping with weight gain
  • Dealing with difficult life events that trigger you to smoke
  • Dealing with the challenges in your environment
  • Relapse prevention and emergency plan
  • Shaping a smoke-free life

These follow-up session often don't take a full hour and can be scheduled easily.
Sessions take place online.

Prices outside the reimbursement system of the Flemish government
The price for counselling is €15/15 minutes.

​Prices under the reimbursement system of the Flemish government (for inhabitants of Flanders only)
See the overview here or contact me for more information.

Companies can contact me for a quotation to counsel their employees online or on site (Flanders).

FAQ

wHAT is your opinion on the electronic cigarette/vaping as a tool to quit smoking?
I am not reluctant to use the electronic cigarette as a smoking cessation aid. Recent studies state that switching from the traditional cigarette to an electronic vaporizer is up to 95% less harmful. However, read clearly: 'less harmful'. After all, we cannot say that the electronic cigarette is healthy. For this, more long-term studies are needed to find out the effects of the substances on the body in the long run. In addition, as a consumer product the electronic cigarette is currently less strictly regulated than pharmaceuticals and its development is progressing faster than research can follow to provide a definitive answer about the health effects. That is why in many cases the electronic cigarette is not my first suggestion at the moment to get rid of the traditional cigarette. However, looking at your smoking profile, past smoking cessation attempts and medical condition, we discuss together whether the electronic cigarette is a suitable route for you.
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What happens with late cancellations or no shows?
If individual clients cannot attend a scheduled session, they can cancel or reschedule it free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. Cancellations must be reported by telephone or e-mail. If a client cancels a scheduled session late (<24h) or does not show up (in person or online), the session will be charged in full. For Flemish clients their points towards reimbursement will be counted. ​
What about alternative therapies?
Acupuncture, (soft) laser therapy, hypnosis, homeopathy, NicoBloc, ... are alternative ways to quit smoking. There is a lot of controversy surrounding these methods and the final conclusion is often that their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. These treatments can be quite expensive and the potential harmful side effects are not always known. Some of these techniques may have beneficial effects under the guidance of their experts. However, I am not specialized in any of these methods and will therefore not recommend or apply them. Always be careful and critical of the promises of these 'miracle cures'.
What is are the chances of success?
​I don't want to race with you as a client to that end goal to be able to tick a box and say "You quit. We're there, done!". Quitting smoking is a crucial step, but also the start of a new journey, namely to remain smoke-free. To make this a success, I will work with you on permanent behavior change, adjustment of routines and thinking differently about healthy living and the value of the cigarette. Sometimes people discover that there are other things in their life that hinder their chances of success (eg relationship problems, loneliness, chronic stress, ...). In that case, it wortwhile to address these underlying causes first. Some clients choose to do this together with me, others go to work on their own for a while before coming back and saying goodbye to the cigarette for good.
In summary: While the vast majority of people I counsel are smoke-free at the end of the sessions, I do not promise a 100% success rate. What I do promise is a 100% chance of new self-insights, learning about yourself and the place of cigarettes in your life. With this knowledge, we don't just prepare a quit attempt, but we immediately make sure that - when you are ready - it is also the last quit attempt that you will need.

Testimony via e-mail: "After our last conversation, it has become clear to me that quitting smoking must/can/will be a consequence of other adjustments in my life. I am currently skating even more frequently, I have ordered an electric bicycle, meanwhile I also ride (more often) on my regular bicycle. I have also started walking and "come out more". It is still early but it feels good and I have now set the goal that I still have till spring to get into the state-of-mind of quitting smoking. Thanks in advance for the help. Despite the fact that it has not led to quitting yet, it has given me more insight into the place smoking has in my life. So I have more confidence that it I will succeed."

Testimonials

"After several attempts to quit smoking, I considered trying it under supervision of a professional. I liked that someone listened without passing judgment. Together we drew up a step-by-step plan that I was allowed to carry out at my own pace. In short: really tailor-made guidance in a positive way."
- Feedback on Facebook by a client.