General information on psychotherapy
What is psychotherapy? When am I mentally ill? Who treats mental illness? How do I find a psychotherapist? How are mental illnesses treated? What happens in psychotherapy? Does psychotherapy work? Who covers the costs? What rights do I have as a patient?
- The brochure Ways to psychotherapy from the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists
provides a clear overview of important information on the subject of mental illness and psychotherapy. - The German Psychotherapists' Association (DPtV) provides general information on psychotherapy as a service provided by statutory and private health insurance companies.
clearly arranged. - The Stiftung Warentests website also provides helpful information on the process of psychotherapy services for people with statutory health insurance
How does the layman recognize the expert?
According to the Psychotherapists Act , you can recognize the expert by the legally protected professional title "Psychological Psychotherapist" or "Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist" as well as "Medical Psychotherapist".
"Psychological psychotherapists" and "child and adolescent psychotherapists" have usually completed a degree in psychology (Diplom or MSc.Psych. - Master in Psychology), while "medical psychotherapists" (as well as "psychiatrists") have basic medical training.
Until the last amendment to the Psychotherapists Act (winter 2019), child and adolescent psychotherapists were subject to the special regulation that their basic training can also consist of a degree in education or social pedagogy.
Important: Practicing psychotherapists have a license to practice and are usually entered in the medical register.
While the job titles "psychological psychotherapist" and "child and adolescent psychotherapist" as well as the abbreviated form "psychotherapist" are legally protected terms, this does not apply to the terms "psychotherapy" or "psychotherapeutic treatment". "Psychotherapeutic treatments" are therefore sometimes also offered by people who are not entitled to use the title of psychotherapist. If in doubt, ask about the qualifications of your practitioner during the information session.
Who else can I contact?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer all interested parties a treatment place in the Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic. During the initial consultation and further diagnostic appointments, we will be happy to clarify whether we can offer you a suitable outpatient treatment program. If this is not the case, we will be happy to advise you on alternative treatment options. The following search portals can also help you find a qualified psychotherapist for outpatient psychotherapy:
Nationwide search portals:
- https://www.bptk.de/service/therapeutensuche/
(Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists, BPtK) - psychotherapeutensuche.de
Regional search portals:
- Chamber of Psychotherapists (PTK) NRW
- Westphalia-Lippe Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, KVWL
- Appointment service center
or 116117 (available 24 hours a day)
These search services can provide information on therapists' specializations, e.g. focus on certain therapy methods, disorders and patient groups (e.g. children, adolescents, adults, pain patients, etc.) as well as foreign languages and whether the practice is barrier-free.