What is psychotherapy? 
The psychology of people undergoes constant development processes. These processes can become pathological in particular phases of life due to unfavourable external conditions (e.g. illness, separation, trauma) or through lack of inner stability, so that further psychological development can’t take place. This expresses itself then among other ways, in a feeling of hopelessness, constant contemplation or an inner emptiness. Furthermore, addiction, aggressive behaviour, feeling constantly overwhelmed, or psychosomatic symptoms can be a result of a disturbed inner self. 

One aim of psychotherapy is to set the psychological growth process into motion again and enable further development. The basis for this is to find independent and responsible solutions for problems. 

I have not been to psychotherapy before. What do I do now?
Good that you have done the first step – find a psychotherapist! The next step is simply to call, email or text me. Then we can set an appointment for an initial session. 

If I cannot pick up immediately, then you can leave me a message or simply hang up – I will call you back as soon as I have time. 

How fast can I get an appointment? 
I will endeavour to offer you an initial consultation in the following week. 

What happens in an initial consultation for psychotherapy? 
The mutual process of getting to know one another starts in our initial contact. During the first contact by phone or email and until our first appointment, you may have found that you have yet more questions for me. We have plenty of time for this in our initial consultation. In addition, you can describe to me the reasons that brought you to seek out psychotherapeutic help. You have the opportunity to find out whether you feel you are in the “right” place. I will have some questions for you, with which I can get a clear picture of you needs, and judge whether I am the right therapist for your issues. We will also clarify the formalities such as payment and the cancellation policy.

How long does a therapy appointment last?
Individual therapy lasts 50 minutes; couple as well as family therapy sessions last 90 minutes.

How many appointments do I need? 
That is hard to judge, since individual situations and issues can differ so much.

I don’t want anyone to find out that I’m going to therapy. Is this confidential? 
§ 15: The therapist as well as his/her assistants are obliged to maintain patient confidentiality about anything personal information entrusted to them or that has become known to them in the course of their profession. 

I am not allowed to tell anyone about our meetings: not that you are coming, who you are and certainly no content of the therapy. Everything we discuss stays between us. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions to this rule: If I get the impression that you want to endanger yourself or others, I am obligated to report it.

If you want to make a claim with health insurance, I have to make a diagnosis.
I can then explain the details to you in more detail in conversation.

I like what I see on your website, but I can’t find any mention of my specific problem. Should I still reach out to you?
I am a psychotherapist and therefore can be a support for all mental illnesses. However, I'm not an expert on everything! If I do not have the necessary specific knowledge of your question, I would be happy to refer you to colleagues or institutions that are better suited to your specific concern.

If I want to come to you for individual therapy, but I would also like you to speak to a member of my family (partner, parent, child, sibling, etc.), would that be possible? 
After we have met alone a few times, we can decide whether it would be beneficial to invite individual family members (or the whole family) to one or more therapy sessions. It all depends on your particular situation and whether it is an appropriate and important intervention in your therapy process. In addition, the invited persons must come voluntarily. Another option is to refer you and your loved one to a specialist couple or family therapist for one or more sessions, while we continue to work in individual sessions.

We are a couple and are having relationship problems. Can you help us stay together?
Couples often come to get help with their relationship problems. Often with the goal of staying together, but sometimes also to get through the process of separating better. It is my job to find out what you want and what is the right path for your relationship, and to help you implement it as far as possible.

Everyone talks about burnout. Does it really exist, or is it just a new money-making fad for the mental health market?
Burnout is actually a type of depression from exhaustion that can have many symptoms. These range from constant fatigue, irritability, listlessness, dip in performance, and sleep disorders to psychosomatic complaints, panic attacks and anxiety disorders. The many products and treatments on offer, which are also available from self-proclaimed experts, cannot replace proper treatment with a psychotherapist, but rather, at best, only accompany it. A burnout is a serious condition with often enormous suffering, so it also requires competent professional help. I can help you there! 

I have still not found my most burning question here!
I’m sorry to hear that. Please contact me here and we can book in an initial consultation to talk about it. I will try my best to answer all your questions.