Regulated health professions
Psychotherapy
What is Psychotherapy?
- What is Psychotherapy for?
- Treatment of mental illness and deeper psychological distress
- Is Psychotherapy legally regulated?
- Legally regulated health profession (Psychotherapy Act 2024; previously PthG 1990). Listed in the psychotherapy register of the Ministry of Health.
- Does Psychotherapy treat illnesses?
- Yes. Independent treatment of mental and psychosomatic illnesses of clinical relevance.
Psychotherapy is the comprehensive treatment of mental and psychosomatic illness and of deeper psychological distress. It has the broadest therapeutic mandate for mental illness and works on causes over a longer process, not just on symptoms.
Anyone who is registered has completed long, accredited training and is bound by confidentiality. You can find registered psychotherapists in the public register of the Ministry of Health.
The four main orientations
There is no single “one” psychotherapy but several recognised methods. Which one suits you depends more on you and your relationship with the therapist than on the method’s name. For most concerns, several methods are effective.
- Psychodynamic: looks at unconscious patterns and formative experiences, e.g. psychoanalysis, individual psychology and katathym-imaginative psychotherapy (working with inner images).
- Behavioural: starts with concrete behaviour, thoughts and the here and now. Well researched and often first choice for anxiety, compulsions and depression.
- Humanistic: centres experience, self-development and relationship, e.g. person-centred psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, existential analysis and logotherapy, and psychodrama (role play, scenic work).
- Systemic: sees you in the context of relationships, family and life circumstances; works with individuals, couples and families.
There are also proven techniques used within therapy, such as EMDR for processing trauma (guided eye movements) and mindfulness- and body-oriented approaches.
Specialisations and additional qualifications
Many psychotherapists specialise in particular topics or age groups. Common examples:
- Trauma therapy: specialised approaches for processing distressing or traumatic experiences, often using methods such as EMDR.
- Infant, child and adolescent psychotherapy: psychotherapy adapted to age and development that involves the family environment.
These specialisations build on the registered psychotherapy training. If your concern points in one of these directions, you can ask for it specifically.
You do not have to decide in advance
In the first session you clarify together what fits your concern. More important than the method is that you feel understood and trust can grow.
What is allowed
- Independently treat mental and psychosomatic disorders of clinical relevance
- Identify a clinically relevant disorder within psychotherapeutic diagnostics
- Work with all age groups: individuals, couples, families and groups
- Work on deeper issues over longer periods
Where are the limits?
- May not prescribe medication, that is reserved for physicians
- May not treat physical illness
- No sick notes or official assessments for authorities
- Refers to psychiatry or crisis services in case of acute danger to self or others
How to recognise quality
- Listed in the Ministry of Health's psychotherapist register, publicly searchable
- Clear information on method, fees and confidentiality
- Legal duty of confidentiality
- First session without pressure, no promises of a cure
- Names its limits and refers to physicians where needed
How it works
- First sessiongetting to know each other, clarifying your concern, checking the fit. Non-binding.
- Medical checkrule out physical causes before the 2nd session if you apply for a subsidy
- Treatmentregular sessions, usually weekly, around 50 minutes. Duration depends on your concern.
- Endingdecided together once goals are reached. No fixed end point.