How It Works & Costs

The psychotherapeutic consultation is the first step towards possible treatment. The first appointment and any further consultations are first of all an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We begin to explore your difficulties and their possible connections with your life history, relationships and current circumstances. At the same time, we clarify whether psychotherapy seems appropriate and whether one of the treatments I offer could, in principle, be suitable for your concerns.

If the psychotherapeutic consultation suggests that treatment may be appropriate, preliminary assessment sessions follow. These help us deepen our understanding of your difficulties and assess more closely which form of treatment and treatment framework would be suitable. During this time, the necessary steps are taken and, if required, an application is made for the costs to be covered.

Short-term psychotherapy may be considered when the main difficulties can be meaningfully addressed within a limited course of treatment.

Long-term psychotherapy is indicated when more sustained and comprehensive psychotherapeutic work is needed. In my practice, it may take the form of psychodynamic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis.

The appropriate form of treatment, frequency of sessions and likely duration are discussed on the basis of our initial meetings. If it becomes clear that none of the treatments I offer is suitable for your concerns, I will discuss this with you. Where possible, I will recommend another approach to psychotherapy or another form of support.

The extent to which psychotherapy costs are covered depends on your insurance status and the applicable contractual or legal provisions. Fees, billing arrangements and any necessary application procedures are discussed before treatment begins.

Private health insurance and Beihilfe

The extent to which private health insurance or Beihilfe covers the costs depends on your individual insurance plan or the applicable Beihilfe rules. Differences relate in particular to the number of sessions eligible for reimbursement, any application or approval process required, and the amount of the fees covered.

It is therefore advisable to contact your private health insurer or the relevant Beihilfe office before treatment begins to find out which conditions apply to you. If prior confirmation of cover or approval is required, this should, wherever possible, be obtained before regular treatment begins. The necessary therapeutic documentation is prepared as part of the applicable procedure.

Fees are charged in accordance with the German fee schedule for psychotherapists (GOP). The fee and the billing codes used are discussed before treatment begins. As private insurance policies provide different levels of cover, you may need to pay part of the costs yourself, depending on your plan.

Statutory health insurance

Statutory health insurance covers the costs if a mental health condition requiring treatment is present and the requirements for psychotherapy under the German Psychotherapy Directive are met. You do not need a referral from a doctor for a psychotherapeutic consultation. Presenting your electronic health insurance card is usually sufficient.

No prior application to your health insurer is required for psychotherapeutic consultations or preliminary assessment sessions. For adults, the process provides for up to three psychotherapeutic consultations and up to four preliminary assessment sessions before psychotherapy under the German Psychotherapy Directive begins. An application to your health insurer is required before starting short-term or long-term psychotherapy.

Self-funded treatment

If you choose self-funded psychotherapy, you pay the treatment costs yourself; there is no need to apply to a health insurer for the costs to be covered. This way of funding treatment may be an option, for example, if you wish to begin treatment independently of your insurance arrangements or if your insurance does not cover the planned services, or covers them only in part.