How to Choose an English-Speaking Therapist in Berlin
Photo by Imkara Visual on Unsplash
Navigating the counselling and therapy landscape can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first time seeking help. To make matters more complicated, the laws and regulations surrounding counselling and psychotherapy in Germany differ from other countries. And, with so many varied approaches and associated acronyms (CBT; DBT; ACT – to name a few), the therapy domain can sometimes feel like an overwhelming space.
This article aims to make the process of finding an English-speaking therapist in Berlin (or anywhere in the world) a little easier. I will discuss why it is important to spend time searching for a suitable therapist, and what to look out for. Followed by a brief rundown of some of the (many) current-day therapy approaches. I then lay out some practical considerations – location, online vs. in-person, fees – which are all important factors in building a positive therapeutic experience. Most therapists today offer a free consultation prior to beginning therapy; Here I discuss what to expect from this and some valuable questions to ask your potential therapist. Finally, I will round off by detailing some of the common mistakes people make when searching for a therapist.
Why finding the right therapist matters
Life can, at times, be chaotic: careers, children, relationships, death and grief. Seeking a quality therapeutic relationship can therefore provide a safe container, away from the challenges of everyday life. For this reason, it is important to find a therapist you can trust. When we trust another person to listen to and hold our private world, we move from a state of rigidity to one of flexibility and increased freedom. Here, we can begin to share our deepest fears, yearnings and the shameful but satisfying fantasies that lurk beneath. This cannot be achieved if we do not trust the person sitting in front of us.
You might arrive at counselling trying to heal or to become a better version of yourself. This can provide an important starting-point for therapy – but there is more. The relationship itself can become a vehicle for change and growth. In everyday life, our relationships carry so much history, power dynamics and responsibility. In such relationships, we can fall into practised ways of being and lose touch with our own sense of what we want, and how we want to be. The therapeutic relationship, on the other hand, provides an open, collaborative space where you can find yourself again in relationship to another person. The wisdom, knowledge, and insight gained from a healing relationship can then be taken into the relationships closest to us. Here we can experience more genuine, satisfying connections with others.
Finding someone you can trust to share your world with matters. Whilst the therapy is for you, the journey itself is in relationship. When a trusting relationship develops, therapy can become a deeply meaningful and potentially life-changing experience.
Qualifications to look for
From the client’s perspective, I can understand how the laundry-list of counselling qualifications can appear quite confusing. However, having some knowledge, or utilising a process of discovery, can help you narrow the group of potential therapists.
Whilst there are a great deal of people in the helping professions without official higher-level educational qualifications, it is the case that a University degree will indicate a certain level of competency.
Then, of course, there are different regulations and rules surrounding training and the use of titles in different countries. Here in Germany, for example, the term “Psychotherapeut” (psychotherapist) is legally protected. To practice using this title, the therapist must gain state approval, known as Approbation. Many expats, therefore, use titles such as counsellor, psychologist, therapist, etc. For many expat therapists, including myself, this is a legal requirement.
When looking for an English-speaking therapist in Berlin, I would look beyond the title alone. Consider where and how they trained, the level of core training and their experience. Counselling and therapy qualifications can include diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, PhD’s and Doctorates – although this list is not exhaustive. Discovering some essential information about the level of qualifications and experience can provide reassurance that the therapist is legitimate.
You may also find more confusing acronyms when it comes to the therapist’s governing body. Some examples include MBACP, UKCP, BPS and others. These combinations of letters can seem impressive without meaning very much to someone seeking therapy. If a counsellor does list some of these acronyms, it may be worth a quick Google Search to find out which governing body they are aligned with. For example, I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). Membership of a professional counselling governing body can provide further reassurance that a therapist has met certain competency requirements.
Therapy approaches explained
Below I have provided a brief description of some of the common counselling modalities you will find during your search for a therapist. This list is, of course, not exhaustive. A quick Google Search of any modality will provide a rudimentary understanding of the approach. It is important to note here that, whilst all the approaches have their own philosophy and techniques of therapy – research has shown that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is the most important indicator of change (link?).
Person-centred
Person-centred therapy is founded on the belief that meaningful and lasting change occurs within a healing relationship. The therapist’s task is to create a genuine relationship, characterised by empathy and a warm prizing of the client. Within this kind of relationship, the individual can feel safe enough to explore troubling experiences and emotions. Through this exploration, awareness can deepen, and previously hidden or unacknowledged aspects of experience may begin to surface. With increased awareness comes greater understanding and the possibility of finding new meaning in our experiences. For many clients, it is here that change and growth become possible.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours influence one another. The aim here is to identify unhelpful, negative or destructive thought patterns and behaviours, which in turn will help the individual feel more free from distress. This approach is typically structured and goal-oriented.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy places an emphasis on the unconscious motivations and drives and how they impact current-day living. With a focus on past experiences, the therapist will explore deeper layers of the psyche, helping the client to develop greater self-awareness and understanding of their issues.
Integrative
Integrative therapy combines elements of several different modalities of therapy. An integrative therapist will tailor their approach to the needs and goals of the client.
Practical considerations (location, online vs in-person, fees)
Taking time to consider the practical details of counselling will increase the chances for a positive therapeutic experience. Ask yourself the question, “what are my preferences?” This is an opportunity to be agentic in selecting the best setup for your needs. Whilst not exhaustive, below are some considerations when finding a therapist:
Social and cultural background – many, but not all, clients prefer to speak with another who is of a similar nationality or background, or connected to subcultures and communities such as LGBTQ+. Additionally, it is understandable for clients to prefer speaking in their native language. It must be said, however, that seeking help from a therapist outside of your sphere of influence can also bring benefits.
Gender – like the above, you may prefer the same, or opposite sex in the person you are seeking help.
Location – some people prefer a therapist in their neighbourhood; some prefer seeing their therapist at the touch of a button (online). Consider not only what you would prefer, but what is sustainable.
Fees – vary depending on qualifications and experience, and whether sessions are offered privately or through insurance. Before commencing, make sure you understand the therapist’s fee, cancellation policy, and how often you will meet. Therapy is a financial commitment, so it is important to establish sustainability from the outset.
Private Pay or Health Insurance
Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to access therapy through health insurance, or you can pay privately. Accessing therapy through insurance will help keep costs low, while private pay offers a greater variety of therapists, locations, and languages.
Questions to ask in a consultation
What is your approach?
It is important to understand how a therapist works in the relationship and if this aligns with what you are looking for. Asking this question will uncover whether the counsellor works in a structured, analytical, or more relationship-based approach to therapy. Some approaches will also recommend multiple sessions in one week. It is important to have this information from the outset.
How would we work together in therapy?
Every therapist works differently, even if the approach is the same. This open question will reveal a little bit of the counsellor’s personality and their understanding of the process. This is a particularly useful question for those new to therapy.
Do you have experience with concerns like mine?
It is not essential to seek a specialist or niche brand of therapy. However, asking this question can provide some reassurance that the therapist has helped other clients in a similar position.
Practicalities: fees, location, scheduling, duration, etc.
It is essential to know if the therapeutic relationship can commence. Sometimes scheduling, timing, and location can be a barrier to the relationship getting off to a start, and this is okay. Find this out as soon as possible.
How did I feel talking to this person?
Probably the most important question to ask yourself. Beyond the approach and qualifications lies the person in the therapist. Ask yourself if you felt respected, heard and comfortable – is this someone I could trust and open up to? A strong therapeutic alliance has been consistently shown to be the greatest predictor of positive outcomes.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Therapist
More does not mean better. Many therapists list dozens of short CPD’s as qualifications. Whilst short courses are certainly important and necessary for a therapist’s development, more courses do not equal the level and standard of education. Higher-level education training will, in most cases, indicate a certain level of competency.
At the same time, academic qualifications must not be treated as a league table. A doctorate does not mean the therapist will be better than another with a master’s degree, and a PhD qualification could be entirely research-based. Rather, look at a therapist’s profile holistically: what is their core training, where did they study, and how long have they been in practice? All this data should, of course, be taken with your personal experience of communicating with them.
Final thoughts
Considering all the above, finding the right therapist for you can take a little time. This is okay. The goal isn’t to find the most expensive (or least), the most qualified, or the most experienced person. These are important, but the most important factor is the connection you feel with this person. Many therapists offer a free consultation call – make use of these. Shop around.
If you’re looking for an English-speaking therapist in Berlin, feel free to get in touch with me. I offer a free 20-minute consultation where you can ask any questions you like and find out if working together feels right for you.