What is psychological counselling?
A professional support service aimed at improving wellbeing and life satisfaction — as well as fostering the development and maintenance of competencies and skills.
Psychological counselling is a non-clinical, professional support service. It can also serve as a preventive measure by addressing problem areas early and proactively, before they escalate into emergencies.
Psychological counselling is open to a broad audience and does not require a diagnosis.
When is counselling helpful?
When you want to proactively maintain your mental health and existing stability.
When you want to address conflicts, relationship difficulties, or other interpersonal challenges.
When you feel that something is not right — even without a name for it.
What happens in a session?
The main goal of psychological counselling is to achieve the goals you bring and that we refine together. The goals people bring are very diverse — and so are the methods psychology offers to reach them.
In many sessions, examining thoughts, feeling and perceiving emotions, honest goal-setting, and an existential engagement with one's own path are part of the process.
Ultimately, however, you remain the expert on your own life — and my role in counselling is to support you as effectively as possible in reaching your goals, helping you develop healthy self-regulation skills and apply them in daily life, so you can walk your path independently.
More about my approachMy work is guided by ethical principles — respect, responsibility, and integrity. I work in an evidence-based manner, grounded in scientifically tested models and methods. I deliberately avoid simplistic motivational talk or quick-fix solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psychological counselling is a professional support service based on scientifically grounded methods of psychology. It is designed for people who want to address personal challenges, difficult life situations, or the desire for personal growth.
It draws on methods also used in therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy or systemic therapy — even though psychological counselling is not psychotherapy and does not treat mental illness. The focus is on fostering self-reflection, building new skills, and strengthening existing resources. Counselling can work preventively — before a burden becomes a crisis — or as ongoing support when you already notice that something is weighing on you.
In my work, this means: We begin by building a safe, trusting counselling relationship — as the foundation for any change. Together, we openly address the difficulties you bring, define your goals, and then work with psychological methods such as cognitive restructuring, emotion regulation, stress management, behavioural experiments, and resource work towards sustainable change. This is not about quick fixes, but about an honest engagement with what truly matters in your life — and how you can walk your path independently.
Counselling does not require a diagnosis or a referral. It only requires the willingness to engage honestly with yourself.
Psychological counselling and psychotherapy share some methods but differ in their scope and purpose.
Psychotherapy is a clinical treatment. In Germany, it requires a diagnosed mental health condition, is carried out by licensed psychotherapists, and is typically covered by health insurance. Access usually involves waiting times of several months.
Psychological counselling is not a clinical treatment. It is for people who do not have a clinical diagnosis — or do not need one to benefit from professional support. It focuses on prevention, personal development, and coping with challenges that are part of life but difficult to carry: conflicts, self-doubt, overwhelm, transitions, or the feeling of being stuck.
In practice, this means: In counselling, we work with evidence-based methods towards concrete goals — without a diagnosis, without waiting times, and without the formal framework of therapy. The entry is low-threshold, and you retain full autonomy over the duration and scope.
If I gain the impression during the initial consultation that psychotherapy would be more appropriate, I will address this openly. I am in contact with psychotherapists, physicians, and other professionals and will support you in finding the right path.
The initial consultation is free, non-binding, and typically lasts 50 to 70 minutes. It takes place via video call — so we can easily find out whether working together is a good fit. You will usually receive an appointment within two to four weeks.
In the conversation, you describe what is on your mind — as far as feels right for you. I listen, ask questions, and give you an initial assessment of whether and how counselling can support you. There is no pressure and no obligation.
If we both feel it is a good fit, we arrange the first regular session — in Trier in person or online. If not, that is perfectly fine — sometimes a single conversation is enough to gain more clarity.
That depends on what you bring and the goals we define together. Some clients come with a specific issue that can be addressed in a few sessions. Others I support over a longer period because the change they are working towards takes time and practice. A typical range is 5 to 15 sessions.
What I can tell you: Psychological counselling is not open-ended. We work in a goal-oriented way, regularly review where you stand, and adjust the process accordingly. The aim is always for you to be able to walk your path independently — not to keep coming indefinitely.
Both are possible. The initial consultation takes place via video. After that, sessions can take place either online or in person in Trier — depending on what suits your situation best.
Online counselling takes place via Microsoft Teams — you click a link and I let you in. You will receive a short guide beforehand via email. Online counselling is particularly suitable if you want to remain flexible in terms of time or location, live further from Trier, or prefer the comfort of a familiar environment. The quality of counselling is the same — the methods I use work just as effectively in a video setting.
In-person sessions take place in Trier. The exact address is arranged personally.
No. Psychological counselling does not require a diagnosis, a referral, or any medical findings. You do not have to be "ill enough" to seek support.
Many of my clients come because they notice that something is weighing on them — without being able to name exactly what it is. Others want to proactively work on their mental health before a burden becomes a crisis. Both are good reasons.
The only thing you need to bring is the willingness to engage honestly with yourself.
That is completely normal — and no reason to wait. Most people who contact me are unsure at first. That is exactly what the initial consultation is for.
In the initial consultation, we explore together what is on your mind and whether counselling is the right framework for it. If it turns out that another form of support would be more suitable — such as psychotherapy, medical assessment, or another service — I will address this openly and support you in finding the right path.
You do not need to know anything, prepare anything, or have decided anything beforehand. Simply reach out via the contact form — we will take it from there.
Current prices and session formats can be found on my services page. Psychological counselling is a self-pay service and is not covered by statutory health insurance, as it is not a clinical treatment. Some private health insurance plans or supplementary policies may reimburse the costs fully or partially — please check with your insurance provider in advance.
The initial consultation is free and non-binding.
Book a free and non-binding initial consultation. We will explore together how I can support you — with no obligation.
Book a consultation