Lidewij Smeele

Since 2024, I have been working as a Healthcare Psychologist at the Center for Quality of Life (CKvL) of the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment often has a major impact on the mental well-being of the patient and their loved ones. The consequences of the treatment can also cause many difficulties.

Together with my colleagues, I am committed to patients who develop psychological complaints due to cancer, or for those who worsen existing psychological complaints. Together with the patient, I make an individual treatment plan. The treatment methods I use include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM).

For me, the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is the most beautiful place to work, because everyone in this hospital wants the best for the patient and that is felt in all layers of the organization.