How does psychotherapy work?

The path to psychotherapy follows set steps. Here they are in the order in which they usually happen.

1. The initial consultation (Sprechstunde)

   Everything starts with an initial consultation. We get to know each other, I get a picture of your concerns, and we work out whether psychotherapy makes sense or whether another kind of help would suit better.

   For children and adolescents, the consultation can be spread over several appointments. You do not need a referral. Please bring your child’s health insurance card.

2. Trial sessions (probatorische Sitzungen)

   Before the actual therapy, there are at least two and, for children and adolescents, up to six trial sessions. They are used to confirm the diagnosis, agree on goals and check whether we work well together.

   Before therapy starts, a short report from a doctor (Konsiliarbericht) is also needed, for example from your paediatric or family doctor’s practice, to rule out physical causes.

3. Applying to the health insurer

   Therapy is applied for with the health insurer. I help you fill in the forms and write the clinical part. Short-term therapy is approved in two steps of twelve sessions each; longer therapy can also be applied for. The insurer usually decides within a few weeks.

   The application and the medical report state the diagnosis as an ICD code, for example F93. You can look up what a code means here.

   With private insurance or Beihilfe, the terms of your policy apply. Please check cost coverage with your insurer in advance.

   Look up an ICD code

   Look up (opens in a new tab)

4. The role of parents

   With children and adolescents, working with the parents is part of therapy. Some sessions include parents or other important caregivers. The health insurer provides additional sessions for this.

   Treating children requires the consent of those with parental responsibility. Adolescents aged 15 and over can also apply for therapy with the health insurer themselves. We discuss together how parents will be involved.

5. Confidentiality

   What is discussed in therapy stays confidential. I am bound by professional confidentiality, including towards schools, youth welfare services or employers. With adolescents, I agree what is shared with their parents.

   The only exceptions are acute danger to life or health. Even then, I try to talk it through with you or your child first.

In an acute crisis?

The practice is not an emergency service. You can get immediate help here:

• Emergency number: 112
• Out-of-hours medical service: 116 117
• Nummer gegen Kummer, helpline for children and young people (Mon–Sat, 2–8 pm): 116 111
• Nummer gegen Kummer, helpline for parents: 0800 111 0 550
• TelefonSeelsorge, crisis helpline (24 hours): 116 123

Most helplines are run in German.