Mental health can be compared to physical health: when suffering lasts too long or becomes too debilitating, help is needed. Being willing to seek help is a sign of courage and strength.

In this context, it is important to know that psychotherapy is a scientifically based method that aims to improve or solve (life) problems.

This work often – but not always – means looking deeper into oneself to change the way one lives, thinks, feels and acts.

I base my approach on systemical psychotherapy. The breadth and variety of the work makes it impossible to give a detailed answer here. For a better overview, read the "About Me" section.

As a psychologist, I do not prescribe medication. Since every patient is different, medication is only administered when necessary, and if so, in consultation with and under the supervision of a psychiatrist.

Yes, but only if you are being treated for a mental disorder or illness. There are basically two situations to distinguish:

1) If you require psychotherapeutic treatment, you will need a doctor's order for the sessions to be reimbursed by your compulsory health insurance (KVG).

A referring physician (family doctor, psychiatrist, or other specialist) may order 15 sessions of psychological psychotherapy. After these 15 sessions, the psychologist-psychotherapist must submit a report to the referring physician. The psychologist-psychotherapist must then decide whether a new series of sessions is warranted. This report must demonstrate the need for continuation of treatment.

If therapy is to be continued after 30 sessions, approval from the health insurance company is required. This requires a more detailed report, including the diagnosis, progress, and treatment plan, which must be submitted to the insurance company by the ordering physician. There is no "absolute upper limit," but any extension must be medically justified and approved.

2) For problems that require psychological counseling but not psychotherapeutic treatment, you do not need a doctor's order and must pay for the sessions yourself.

If you have any questions, please contact me.