Psychotherapy

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a method for treating issues related to thinking, feeling, experiencing, and behaviors. It is sometime difficult to assess whether there is a problem in these areas, and it may just be a vague feeling. The assessment often depends on personal distress. Psychotherapy aims to identify and resolve the problem, providing support for coping with it.

What forms of psychotherapy are there? 

The various therapy types are as diverse as the problems themselves. In Germany, both psychologists and doctors with additional training in psychotherapy are authorized to carry out therapy. Several different therapy methods are covered by statutory health insurance.

Behavioral therapy

The goal of behavioral therapy is to identity the behavioral mechanisms that cause or sustain a problem. It is then aimed at working on changing these behaviors to help solve the problem.

Psychoanalysis

There are also analytically based psychotherapy methods, which can be further divided into psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalytic therapy. These two methods focus more on fundamental patterns of thinking and relationships that have existed for a long time (often since childhood) and manifest in a problem. In both methods, it is assumed that unconscious conflicts are the triggers of distress and that making these conflicts conscious helps resolve them. The key difference between these two analytically based therapy methods is that psychodynamic therapy is more focused on the specific problem at hand, whereas psychoanalytic therapy takes a more comprehensive approach.

In general, it can be said that behavioral therapy usually takes less time than psychodynamic therapy, and psychodynamic therapy takes less time than psychoanalytic therapy.

Which method is best fitted varies and depends greatly both on the individual and the type of problem.

Which illnesses require psychotherapy?

The field in which psychotherapy is used and found to be helpful or even necessary is very broad. It includes major areas such as depressive moods and anxieties (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias), as well as behavioral disorders such as addictions (e.g., alcohol, gambling) and compulsive behaviors (e.g., compulsive washing, self-harm). Additionally, there are areas of perceptual disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder).

As many psychological problems manifest physically, psychotherapy can also be used for these physical complaints. An example of this is with eating disorders and frequently with chronic pain. In medicine, this field is called psychosomatic medicine.

What is the process of psychotherapy?

In one or more initial sessions, the respective psychotherapist will determine whether one of the above-mentioned illnesses is present. A referral from a general practitioner is not essential. If you wish to undergo therapy, you can find out about the different options from your health insurance provider or the Psychotherapy Information Service in Germany, so that you can then register with various therapists and, if necessary, be placed on the waiting list.

It is highly recommended to make inquiries with several therapists. Once you've found a spot and the first appointment has been made, the introductory sessions begin, in which the therapist checks whether there is an indication for psychotherapy and the patient assesses if they feel comfortable with the therapist. This is important and should not be underestimated for the success of the therapy.

If the therapist and patient agree on further treatments, the therapist will apply to the health insurance provider for a certain number of psychotherapy sessions and the patient will have a medical examination by a doctor before starting the actual therapy to rule out an organic cause (e.g. hypothyroidism).

If both therapist and patient decide that it is appropriate to extend the therapy, a request for an extension is made to the health insurance provider. An inpatient stay in a psychotherapy clinic may also be advisable. This is usually decided by the patient together with their psychotherapist or, in acute situations, together with their general practitioner.

Which specialists and clinics specialize in psychotherapy?

In medicine, there are two different specialists for psychotherapy. One is the specialist in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy, and the other is the specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. There are also psychosomatic and psychiatric clinics, which can be further divided into acute care clinics and rehabilitation clinics. Psychiatry tends to include medication in the treatment more frequently than psychosomatic medicine.

Anyone in need of a doctor would expect the best possible medical care for themselves. Therefore, patients are looking for the most suitable clinic for their needs. Since this is not an objective decision and a respectable doctor would refrain from claiming to be the best, patients must trust the experience of a doctor.

We can help you find an appropriate expert for your condition. All the doctors and clinics listed have undergone extensive review and have been verified by us for their outstanding expertise in the field of psychotherapy. They are looking forward to and are ready to address your questions and treatment requests.