Low-threshold services
Psychosocial Counselling Centres
What is Psychosocial Counselling Centres?
- What is Psychosocial Counselling Centres for?
- First, often free help with strain and crises
- Is Psychosocial Counselling Centres legally regulated?
- Services run by non-profit and public organisations, often publicly funded, with qualified staff.
- Does Psychosocial Counselling Centres treat illnesses?
- Counselling and crisis help, no treatment of its own
Psychosocial counselling centres are first points of contact for emotional strain, crises and difficult life situations. They are often free, many also anonymous, and you do not need a referral.
They are run by non-profit organisations and the public sector, for example psychosocial services, women’s and men’s counselling or crisis services. Well-known telephone examples are the Ö3-Kummernummer on 116 123 and, for young people, Rat auf Draht on 147.
They are well suited for a first step: listening, taking stock, referring on. In acute danger they quickly connect you with the right service.
What is allowed
- Counsel on strain, crises and life questions
- Help with a low threshold, often anonymously and without referral
- Refer on to suitable treatment and help
Where are the limits?
- Usually no continuous treatment over a long period
- No medical diagnosis or medication on site
- Refers to crisis services or emergency numbers in acute danger
How to recognise quality
- A known non-profit or public organisation
- Qualified staff
- Clearly stated availability and confidentiality
- Refers on to treatment when needed
How it works
- Contactcall, write or drop in
- First conversationdescribe your concern, take stock
- Orientationdiscuss next steps
- Referralto suitable services
Costs & insurance
Counselling centresusually free
Telephone servicesfree and anonymous
Insuranceno billing needed