Katarsis

What Katarsis does

Katarsis VZW is a Belgian non-profit (Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk) residential addiction treatment center headquartered in Genk (Hasseltweg 439, Bokrijk area). Founded in May 1985, the organization provides a modular recovery trajectory for adults aged 16 and older with substance use disorders related to illegal drugs, optionally combined with alcohol and/or medication. Core programs comprise a six-week Detox program (with detox, inventory, and orientation phases), an Onthaal intake bridge, a Therapeutic Community program organized into up to six residential modules spanning a maximum of 18 months, the Tussenhuis transitional housing for reintegration, and Nazorg aftercare. Specialized services include equitherapie (equine-assisted therapy), Tuintherapie (therapeutic garden), and the STERK! theater project, complemented by family-support services (Sperogroep, Familiewerking, Ouderschapswerking), a women's program (PINK), a diversity program (Diversiteitswerking), and the alumni Filia recovery group. A free Connect early intervention program for ages 12-23 is delivered in partnership with Zorggroep Zin and Ligant.

The underlying operating model is a group-oriented, peer-driven therapeutic community with graduated responsibility, encounter sessions, and individual coaching under multidisciplinary supervision. Non-verbal therapies and educational partnerships (Terra-therapeutica, PXL, Bee Green) augment the clinical core. Revenue is generated primarily through a R.I.Z.I.V. (Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) convention that covers main accommodation costs, with clients contributing modest co-payments (€7.32–€47.87 per day depending on insurance status and admission day). Secondary revenue comes from tax-deductible donations, Cera's United Fund for Belgium support, and the Trooper e-commerce affiliate platform. Client acquisition is healthcare-professional mediated (GPs, psychiatrists, social workers, CLB, police, justice system) supplemented by self-referral, family referral, and alumni word-of-mouth.

Geographically, Katarsis serves primarily the Flemish Limburg region through its single Genk facility, supplemented by outreach through partner locations for the Connect program. The organization holds a R.I.Z.I.V. convention, GDPR-compliant data handling, and is subject to Flemish health and welfare inspections. It has no app, public API, or disclosed financial figures, reflecting its private non-profit status.

Name

Katarsis

Legal name

Katarsis VZW

Website

https://katarsis.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Addiction Treatment

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFACAE

Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

SECONDARYHLAFACAN

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

SECONDARYBPAGAEAO

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGACAE

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Residential addiction treatment
• Substance use recovery
• Therapeutic community programs
• Drug rehabilitation services
• Behavioral health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Genk

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. R.I.Z.I.V. Health Insurance Convention: Katarsis holds a R.I.Z.I.V. (Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) convention. The main accommodation costs are covered by health insurance, with clients paying a co-payment (remgeld) based on their insurance code status (e.g., 110/110, 111/111). This covers the core treatment revenue stream for both Detox and TG programs.
2. Client Co-payment and Personal Expenses: Clients pay daily co-payment rates depending on their health insurance status. Additional personal expenses include weekly allowance (weekgeld), medication costs (except withdrawal medication), and purchases such as tobacco, hygiene products, stamps, consumptions, and hobbies. Weekgeld increases as progress is made through the program, subject to financial means.
3. Donations and Fiscal Deductions: As a recognized nonprofit organization (vzw), Katarsis receives tax-deductible donations from supporters. Donations of at least 40 euros annually qualify for a fiscal receipt entitling donors to tax reduction. Additionally, Trooper platform enables indirect financial support through online shopping partnerships where retailers donate a percentage of purchase amounts.
4. Trooper Online Shopping Revenue: Trooper.be/katarsisvzw enables supporters to shop at partner online stores without additional cost, with retailers contributing a percentage of purchases to Katarsis. This represents a low-effort fundraising channel utilizing e-commerce partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Katarsis VZW is a Belgian non-profit residential addiction treatment center in Genk providing a modular recovery pathway for adults (16+) with illegal drug dependency (with or without alcohol/medication co-use). Its core offerings are a 6-week Detox program, an 18-month Therapeutic Community program organized in six residential modules with transitional housing (Tussenhuis) and aftercare (Nazorg), supported by individual coaching, encounter-based group therapy, and non-verbal therapies (equitherapy, garden therapy, STERK! theater therapy). Family services (Sperogroep, Familiewerking, Ouderschapswerking, PINK women's program, Diversiteitswerking) and an early-intervention youth program (Connect via Ligant) extend the offering.

Product overview

Katarsis is a residential addiction treatment center offering a modular total trajectory for people with dependency problems related to illegal drugs, possibly combined with alcohol and/or medication. The organization provides three core programs: Detox (a 6-week withdrawal program), Therapeutische Gemeenschap (a long-term therapeutic community with 6 residential modules plus transitional housing and aftercare lasting up to 18 months), and Connect (an early intervention program through partner Ligant). These core programs are supported by specialized therapeutic services including garden therapy, equine therapy (equitherapie), and theater therapy (STERK!). Family involvement is integral, with services including Sperogroep (self-help group for relatives), Familiewerking (family work), Ouderschapswerking (parenting support), and PINK (women's program). Gender-specific and diversity programs ensure culturally sensitive care. The organization also organizes the Transardennaise annual outdoor activity combining physical challenge with creative expression.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Detox A 6-week residential withdrawal program with three phases (detox, inventory, orientation) for men and women aged 16+ with illegal drug dependency, optionally combined with alcohol and/or medication. Main accommodation costs are covered by Belgian health insurance (R.I.Z.I.V.); clients pay a daily co-payment.
• Therapeutische Gemeenschap (Therapeutic Community) Long-term therapeutic residential program organized in six modules (Module 2-7) with Onthaal intake, Tussenhuis transitional living, and Nazorg aftercare, lasting up to 18 months. Residents organize daily life within a structured living community with graduated responsibilities, encounter sessions, and shared governance.
• Transardennaise Annual multi-day hiking expedition by mountain bike or foot in the Aywaille area, with five months of preparation and intensive training. Includes the Creatarsis component for creativity and yoga as a therapeutic activity program for residents.
• Equitherapie (Equine-assisted Therapy) Horse-assisted therapy using a triangular relationship between horse, therapist, and participant. The horse reacts to non-verbal body language and inner experience, providing feedback that addresses physical, psychological, and social obstacles for residents.
• Tuintherapie (Garden Therapy) Therapeutic gardening program developed since 2014 in collaboration with Terra-therapeutica, PXL Green & Tech, PXL Healthcare, and Bee Green, providing sensory restoration, stress reduction, responsibility-building, and self-confidence through horticultural work.
• STERK! Theaterproject Three-year educational stage project on drug issues led by Ingrid Dullens with professional coaches from theaterhuis Mals Vlees. Weekly theater group sessions for residents explore underdeveloped aspects of self through drama techniques, with annual performances in schools and public venues.
• Sperogroep Monthly self-help group for family members, partners, and relatives of people with addiction problems. Participants share experiences and exchange advice in a judgment-free setting.
• Familiewerking Family involvement service promoting connection between the treatment program and family context. Includes family conversations each module, network meetings, and information sharing about addiction.
• Ouderschapswerking (Parenting Support) Parenting support service for parents in residential drug treatment. Includes biweekly parenting groups, child-friendly environment, parent-child activities, and optional additional support for parenting skills.
• PINK / Vrouwenwerking (Women's Program) Gender-specific women's support project providing biweekly women's group (relationships, sexuality, boundaries, self-image), monthly women's day with partner organizations (TG De Kiem, De Sleutel, De Spiegel), and a women-friendly approach respecting family and social network.
• Diversiteitswerking (Diversity Program) Program addressing the needs of culturally diverse residents through a weekly diversity group discussing values, norms, culture, and faith, with care adapted to individual needs based on a transcultural vision.
• Filia Herstelgroep Monthly recovery group for ex-residents in recovery from addiction, named after the Greek word for friendship, representing hope, social contact, appreciation, meaning, and purpose. Led by an experienced peer.
• Connect (Ligant) Free early intervention program for drug use among young people aged 12-23 with experimental, beginning risky, or problematic alcohol or drug use, including specialized support for risky gaming or gambling. Delivered at multiple Limburg locations through the partnership with Zorggroep Zin and Ligant, with Katarsis as the residential escalation pathway.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recovery program completion with graduation ceremony
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Terra-therapeuticacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Collaboration since 2014 to develop therapeutic garden and garden therapy concepts within Katarsis. Terra-therapeutica contributes expertise in horticultural therapy, helping design the phased garden plan including vegetable garden and children's garden elements.
• PXL Green & TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution providing research and development support for therapeutic garden development. Students conduct research contributing to garden planning and implementation.
• PXL Healthcare (Ergotherapy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare-focused department of same university providing ergotherapy expertise for therapeutic interventions, particularly in adapting garden activities for therapeutic purposes.
• Bee GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization contributing to therapeutic garden development, providing expertise in beekeeping or environmental sustainability aspects of the garden project.
• LigantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKatarsis partners with Ligant for the Connect early intervention program targeting youth (12-23) with experimental or problematic substance use. Katarsis provides the specialized treatment option for those requiring residential intervention beyond early intervention.
• Zorggroep ZincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization for addiction and mental health services covering prevention, early intervention, treatment, and aftercare. Connect program is a Ligant initiative under Zorggroep Zin umbrella, with Katarsis providing residential follow-up for clients requiring deeper intervention.
• TG De KiemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTherapeutic community partner organization. Women from both Katarsis TG and De Kiem participate in combined monthly women's day activities, enabling peer exchange and shared program elements.
• De SleutelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAddiction treatment organization specializing in prevention, assistance, and employment within drug context. Participates in combined women's day with Katarsis TG.
• De SpiegelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTreatment center organization with residential withdrawal program and therapeutic community. Contributes to combined women's day activities with Katarsis.
• TrooperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce platform enabling supporters to generate donations for Katarsis through online shopping. Retailers contribute a percentage of purchase amounts when shoppers use trooper.be/katarsisvzw.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• De Sleutel: Belgian addiction treatment organization in Gent offering prevention, assistance, and employment services within a drug context, including residential programs. Directly named as a Katarsis partner for combined women's days and serves the same Flemish residential addiction market.
• Therapeutische Gemeenschap De Kiem: Belgian therapeutic community offering long-term residential drug treatment. Directly named as a Katarsis partner for joint women's program activities and operates the same modular therapeutic-community model in a different region of Belgium.
• Zorggroep Zin (Ligant): Belgian umbrella organization covering prevention, early intervention, treatment, and aftercare for addiction and mental health. Parent of Ligant and direct partner delivering the Connect youth program at Katarsis; highly comparable mission and overlapping service portfolio.
• CAW (Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk): Flemish welfare organization providing psychosocial support including addiction referral and case management across Belgium. Operates in the same referral ecosystem as Katarsis and serves overlapping clients with addiction and family-related needs.
• De Spiegel: Belgian residential addiction treatment center operating a withdrawal program and therapeutic community. Directly named as a Katarsis partner organization for combined women's days and competes in the same Flemish residential addiction niche.

Broad incumbents

• IrisZorg: Dutch addiction care and social support provider offering outpatient and residential programs plus reintegration services. Comparable residential addiction offering but serves the Netherlands and operates at larger scale than Katarsis.
• Novadic-Kentron: Major Dutch addiction care organization providing prevention, treatment, and recovery services including residential programs. Comparable clinical model and target population, but serves the Dutch market at significantly larger scale.
• Jellinek: Major Dutch addiction care provider offering prevention, treatment, and recovery services including residential components across the Netherlands. Comparable mission and methodology, but operates at much greater scale and serves the Dutch rather than Belgian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VZWKatarsis1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vzw-katarsis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Katarsis