Online Therapy in Germany: Who It Suits and Where Its Limits Are
Not everyone who is looking for therapeutic support lives near a practice. Maybe you travel a lot, work long hours, have small children, or live somewhere with very few options, perhaps even in a language that isn't yours. Online sessions can be a real solution in those situations. They also come with clear conditions and limits, and it helps to know both before you decide.
What online sessions look like
Our conversations take place by video through RED medical, a service built specifically for therapeutic consultations that meets the applicable data protection and security standards. You receive access in advance and join from wherever you feel comfortable. A good online conversation is closer to a session in the practice than many people expect: it's about listening, making sense of things, and looking at them together. Sessions are available in English and in German.
Who online sessions suit
People who don't live in Berlin, or who don't want a long journey.
Busy professionals and parents for whom travel time is the obstacle.
Expats and people who live between two languages, who want to speak in the language they feel in.
Conversations, counselling and support around stress, exhaustion, relationships or everyday life with ADHD, including for couples.
Preparation and stabilising, before any later trauma work in the practice.
Anyone for whom the first step feels hard, and who feels safer starting from home.
If you're not sure whether online is right for you, a short, free phone call will tell us.
Where the limits are
Acute crisis. If you are in an acute crisis or thinking about ending your life, online sessions are not the right format. You need someone you can reach right now (see the note below).
No safe space at home. If you can't be undisturbed, for example because someone could overhear you, or if violence in a relationship is part of the picture, an online session is unsuitable or needs a different solution. Please tell me, and we'll find one.
EMDR and trauma processing. The preparation for an EMDR approach work well digitally. The actual sessions nevertheless take place in my practice only. During processing, memories can surface or overwhelm you unexpectedly in ways nobody can see coming. In my practice I can step in immediately and hold the space, online unfortunately only to a limited extent.
Strong instability or dissociation. When physical presence gives you stability, the practice is the better place.
How to make an online session work
A quiet room where you can close the door.
A stable internet connection, ideally with headphones.
Time afterwards, rather than rushing into the next meeting.
Something to drink nearby and a comfortable place to sit.
A phone number as plan B in case the connection drops.
The first step
A first conversation by phone is always free and without obligation, and you don't need to prepare anything: we'll talk briefly about what's on your mind, you can ask me anything, and then you decide in your own time. You can reach me at +49 174 535 86 70, through the contact form on my website, I'll get back to you, or book directly via Doctolib. Sessions are available in English and German, in my practice in Berlin or online.
Are you in an acute crisis? In Germany, the Telefonseelsorge is free and available around the clock (0800 111 0 111), and in an emergency you can call 112.
