Psychotherapeutische Hochschulambulanz
Weidenauer Straße 167a 57076 Siegen
Tel.: +49 (0)271/740-5550
Die telefonischen Sprechzeiten finden Sie hier.
Außerhalb der telefonischen Sprechstundenzeiten ist eine Terminvereinbarung nicht möglich.
Helpful information and interesting facts
General information about 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 Paths to Psychotherapy of the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists contains important information about mental illness and psychotherapy.
- The German Association of Psychotherapists (DPtV) provides General information on psychotherapy as a service provided by statutory and private health insurance companies.
- Furthermore, on the website of Stiftung Warentest you will find helpful information on the Course of psychotherapeutic services for people with statutory health insurance.
How does the layman recognize the expert?
According to the Psychotherapist 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 youth psychotherapists" usually have a degree in psychology (diploma or MSc.Psych. - Master in Psychology), while "medical psychotherapists" (as well as "psychiatrists") have a basic medical education.
Until the last amendment of the Psychotherapist Act (winter 2019), child and adolescent psychotherapists* had the special regulation that the basic training can also consist of a degree in education or social pedagogy.
Important: Practising psychotherapists have a license to practice and are usually listed in the medical register.
While the professional title "psychological psychotherapist" and "child and youth psychotherapist" as well as the short 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 persons who are not authorized to use the title "psychotherapist". In case of doubt, please ask for the qualification of your therapist in the information meeting.
Who else can I approach?
Unfortunately, the Psychotherapeutic Ambulance of the University of Siegen cannot offer a therapy place to all interested parties. During the initial consultation and further diagnostic appointments, we will gladly clarify whether we can offer you a suitable outpatient treatment. If this is not the case, we will gladly advise you on alternative treatment options. Furthermore, the following search portals can support the search for a qualified psychotherapist for ambulatory psychotherapy:
Nationwide search portals:
- https://www.bptk.de/service/therapeutensuche/ (Bundespsychotherapeutenkammer, BPtK)
- psychotherapeutensuche.de
Regional search portals:
- https://www.ptk-nrw.de/de/patienten/nrw-wbrpsychotherapeutensuche.html (Psychotherapeutenkammer (PTK) NRW)
- https://www.kvwl.de/earzt/index.htm (Kassenärztliche Vereiniung Westfalen-Lippe, KVWL)
- Appointment service point: https://www.kvwl.de/patient/terminservice/index.htmor 116117 (available 24 hours a day)
These search services can provide information on therapists' specializations, such as the 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.