General information for parents. It cannot replace an assessment by a doctor or psychotherapist. If a life is in danger, call 112.
Child psychotherapy in Germany: how it works
Stomach aches every Sunday evening before school. A teenager who has barely left her room since the summer. Parents often wait a long time before they look for help, usually because nobody told them where the door is. In Germany it is closer than many expect.
Who treats children and teenagers
Psychotherapists for children and adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeut; the newer title is Psychotherapeut with a specialisation in children and adolescents) hold a state licence (Approbation). They work through conversation, play and regular sessions with the parents. They do not prescribe medication.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists (Kinder- und Jugendpsychiater) are medical doctors. You go to them when medication might help or when a diagnosis such as ADHD or autism has to be clarified. Your paediatrician (Kinderarzt) knows the local ones.
Treatment in this system is possible up to the 21st birthday.
VT, TP, AP, ST: the letters on practice websites
Statutory insurance pays for four approved methods (Richtlinienverfahren). Practice websites often show only the abbreviation:
- VT: cognitive behavioural therapy (Verhaltenstherapie).
- TP: psychodynamic therapy (tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Psychotherapie).
- AP: psychoanalytic therapy (analytische Psychotherapie).
- ST: systemic therapy (Systemische Therapie), which works with the whole family.
The first appointment: Sprechstunde
Every therapy paid by statutory insurance starts with the psychotherapeutic consultation (psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde). You need the child’s health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte). You do not need a referral.
For children and teenagers the Sprechstunde can run over up to ten short appointments of 25 minutes. Up to four of them can take place with the parents alone. At the end you get a form called PTV 11. It says whether treatment is recommended and how urgent it is. Keep it safe, you will need it again.
What stays in the room
Psychotherapists are bound by professional secrecy (Schweigepflicht). Nothing goes to the school, your employer or the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) without your consent. The one exception is serious danger to a child. Then the therapist may involve the youth welfare office (Jugendamt), and usually talks to you about it first.
With younger children a large part of the work happens with you as parents. That is how child therapy is designed in Germany. It says nothing about who is to blame.
The search itself is in German. The language filter (Sprache) is already set to English.