Outpatient treatment and therapy at the Centre for Mental Health and Psychotherapy

Outpatient psychotherapy clinic for adults

For initial enquiries, we are available during our telephone consultation hours. We will take down the details of those interested and, if necessary, arrange a consultation appointment. If demand is high, we may not be able to offer an appointment straight away.

All patients must attend a preliminary (treatment) consultation before commencing psychotherapy, during which they describe their symptoms. This does not apply to individuals who have been treated in a hospital or rehabilitation centre for a mental health condition within the past twelve months.
At the end of the consultation, our therapists will inform patients whether there is a suspicion of a mental health condition requiring treatment and which counselling or treatment options are suitable for their needs.

If outpatient psychotherapy is recommended, treatment cannot always take place here at the Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic for Adults or with the psychological psychotherapist with whom our patients had their consultation. It may be that we do not currently have any treatment places available. In this case, you have the option of being added to our waiting list. At the same time, you should look for a therapist outside the Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic for Adults.
Even if you do not have a mental health condition requiring treatment, it may be worthwhile taking preventative measures to ensure that psychological difficulties do not develop into a mental health condition. Together, we will consider which preventative services might be helpful.

Please bring your health insurance card to the first consultation. Your health insurance will cover the cost of the consultation.

Before starting standard therapy, up to four ‘trial sessions’ take place. During this phase, patients can assess whether they can build a relationship of trust with the therapist. The therapists consider whether they can offer a suitable course of therapy.
During this phase of therapy, we carry out a detailed exploration of the symptoms and establish a definitive diagnosis. We then develop a treatment plan in line with our patients’ goals.

At the end of the trial period, the therapist informs the health insurance provider about the planned psychotherapeutic treatment.

Psychotherapy begins following the assessment sessions. We tailor the psychotherapeutic treatment individually to our patients’ circumstances, goals and context.

The initial phase

At the start of psychotherapy, the focus is on building a solid relationship between patients and psychotherapists. This is essential to enable participants to talk about their problems, symptoms and condition. Together with the psychotherapist, they work out the treatment goals. The patients then explore their condition and the underlying issues. With the support of the psychotherapist, they identify the coping strategies they have used so far, assess their effectiveness and, where necessary, develop and try out new strategies. The therapists also help to identify the strengths and abilities that patients bring to the process and determine which approach best suits them.

Main phase and between sessions

In addition to the psychotherapy sessions, our patients’ active involvement in the time between sessions is particularly important. What has been learnt can take root and be consolidated through exercises. To support the therapeutic development process, our psychotherapists regularly set small exercises for patients to do at home.

Final phase

The final phase of therapy focuses on preparing our patients for the future and preventing relapses (relapse prevention). The psychotherapists support our patients in managing their lives in future with as little psychotherapeutic help as possible. In this phase, the intervals between sessions are significantly increased.

When difficulties arise during psychotherapy

Periods during which patients doubt that psychotherapy is working can be a natural part of the treatment. In psychotherapy, it is also quite common for psychological symptoms to temporarily worsen or for new symptoms to emerge. Change can be particularly challenging, especially at the beginning; patients may occasionally feel that it is all becoming too much for them. Equally, it is possible that symptoms will improve rapidly and that patients will soon feel significantly better. We recommend that you discuss your personal well-being and experiences during the course of therapy regularly with our psychotherapists. They are aware of the problems and difficulties that can arise during treatment. Together, you can look for solutions and assess whether you are still on the right track with your therapy.

Most mental health conditions develop over a period of years, and so sufficient time is also required for treatment. You should allow for a course of treatment lasting several months.

During this time, sessions are usually held weekly to begin with. As the therapy progresses and during the final phase, it may be beneficial to space out the sessions more widely so that, for example, newly learnt skills can be consolidated. Each session lasts 50 minutes. For quality assurance, to monitor the progress of treatment and for research purposes, patients answer a few questions on a computer after almost every session (takes approx. 5 minutes). At the start and end of therapy, as well as after approximately every 12th session, we ask patients to complete more detailed questionnaires (takes approx. 1 hour).

Patients with statutory health insurance

We bill the statutory health insurance provider directly via the patient’s insurance card, provided the patient is aged 18 or over. Psychotherapeutic consultations and preliminary assessments can be accessed without a formal application. A request for regular psychotherapy must be submitted jointly to the health insurance provider.

Private health insurance/subsidy

The fee for a 50-minute individual session as part of short-term therapy is €167.58 (2 × GOP 812a + GOP 801a, 2.3 times the standard rate) and the fee for a 50-minute individual session as part of long-term therapy is €173.42 (GOP 870, 3.2 times the standard rate + A801, 2.3 times the standard rate). The extent to which costs are covered varies depending on the insurance provider and the insurance tariff. Consequently, patients may be required to pay different levels of co-payment out of their own pocket. Please check with your insurance provider to find out the exact amount of the co-payment.

Occupational accident insurance associations

We settle the costs of psychotherapy following an accident at work or in the case of occupational diseases directly with the relevant employers’ liability insurance association, in accordance with the fee schedule for psychotherapy services issued by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). We ask our patients to clarify in advance with their employers’ liability insurance association whether the costs for the first five trial sessions will be covered.

Self-paying patients

It is also possible to cover the costs of psychotherapy yourself. The costs of psychotherapy are invoiced at €141.08 in accordance with the agreement on the remuneration of services provided by university outpatient clinics under Section 120(2) and (3) of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V).

Coaching/couples therapy

For services that do not fall under medically necessary psychotherapy, such as coaching or couples therapy, clients must cover the costs themselves. Billing for private individuals is carried out in accordance with the agreement on the remuneration of services provided by university outpatient clinics, which is based on Section 120(2) and (3) of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V). The costs are invoiced following the provision of detailed information in advance.

Companies

We offer companies a bespoke package following a prior needs analysis and consultation, tailored to their specific requirements and the time required.

To help our patients assess whether treatment at the Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic for Adults is suitable for them, we would like to provide information about the specific features of treatment at our clinic.

Questionnaires

Treatment at the Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic for Adults is subject to strict quality standards and is supported by research projects. We therefore ask our patients to complete short online questionnaires after each session, which cover topics such as how they are feeling and how they found the therapy session.

In addition, comprehensive diagnostic sessions are held at regular intervals throughout the course of treatment. These sessions can last up to an hour and usually take place immediately after the therapy session.

Video recordings

In accordance with data protection and professional regulations, we video-record all therapy sessions. The video recordings are used for quality assurance, professional development and psychotherapeutic treatment. The recordings enable high-quality supervisory support for the treatment, with a view to improving the therapy for our patients.

Data protection

In the treatment of patients and the handling of health data, we comply with the legal requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
When a patient begins psychotherapy at the Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic for Adults, we provide them with detailed information in advance during a face-to-face consultation and give them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

Do you feel that you need help as soon as possible because your current mental state, your life circumstances or your current situation seem so overwhelming that you no longer feel able to cope on your own? Please do not hesitate to seek help straight away if, for example,

• frequently think about taking your own life and realise that you are now making concrete, imminent plans.
• feel severely threatened and, for example, have the sensation of hearing voices or noises, or seeing people or things that other people cannot perceive.
• have been feeling excessively energetic for several days, are barely sleeping (less than 4 hours a night), have spent a great deal of money or have done – or are currently doing – other potentially dangerous things.
• are caught up in acute conflicts within or outside your family and fear becoming a victim of violence or becoming violent yourself.
• feel overwhelmed by the care and upbringing of your children and are afraid that you might shake your child(ren) for a long time, hit them or severely neglect them.
• fear that you may soon act on your paedophilic tendencies towards a child, or have already done so and do not want this to happen again.
• feel completely overwhelmed by the task of caring for a relative.
• Are pregnant and feel that nobody must find out.
• Have problems with alcohol or drugs.
• are worried about family members, friends or colleagues who are going through acute life crises.

We can all find ourselves in crises and emergency situations at some point in our lives, regardless of our age, gender, background, education, profession, religion or worldview! Please do not hesitate to seek help if you find yourself in such a situation.

Ambulance service: 112

Police: 110

Herdecke Community Hospital (GmbH)

Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4

58313 Herdecke

Telephone: +49 2330 620

St. Elisabeth Hospital

Essener Str. 31

45529 Hattingen-Niederwenigern

Telephone: +49 2324 460

Catholic Hospital Hagen (limited liability company)

Bergstraße 56

58095 Hagen

Telephone: +49 2331 696251

Dortmund Crisis Centre

Telephone: +49 231 435077 (Counselling Centre)

+49 231 435078 (Psychiatric consultation hours)

Mon–Fri: 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm

www.krisenzentrum-dortmund.de

Telephone counselling

A free service offering conversations with people who are trained and experienced in dealing with crises. The helpline is available round the clock.

Telephone: +49 800 1 110111 or +49 800 1 110222

Anonymous counselling for parents and those facing family difficulties

Telephone: +49 800 1 110550

Sexual Abuse Support Portal

Telephone: +49 800 2 255530

Enquiries can also be made by email: beratung@hilfetelefon-missbrauch.de

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 09:00 to 14:00 / Tue & Thu: 15:00 to 20:00

www.hilfeportal-missbrauch.de

Help for pregnant women in need

Telephone: +49 800 4 040020

Email and chat counselling also available

www.hilfetelefon-schwangere.de/

Care Helpline – Support for family carers

Telephone: +49 30 2017913 1

Email advice: info@wege-zur-pflege.de

Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 09:00 to 18:00

www.wege-zur-pflege.de

Addiction and Drugs Helpline

Anonymous, nationwide telephone counselling service

Telephone: +49 180 6 313031

Charges apply: €0.20 per call from a landline

Mobile: max. €0.60 per call

German Red Cross Helpline

Support for relatives of people with addiction problems

Telephone: +49 6062 60767

Fri to Sun: 08:00 to 22:00

www.drk.de

Women’s Advice Centres & Opening Hours in the Ennepe-Ruhr District

www.frauenberatungsstellen-nrw.de/beratungsstellen/witten

Bochum Women’s Shelter

44707 Bochum

Telephone: +49 234 501034

Weißer Ring Ennepe-Ruhr District

Support organisation for victims of crime and violence

Telephone: +49 151 55164777

Hotline … before anything happens

Anonymous help for people at risk of committing an offence

Telephone ( Mon–Fri: 09:00–18:00): +49 800 7 022240

www.bevor-was-passiert.de

Don’t become an offender: Therapeutic help for paedophiles

Düsseldorf University Hospital

Telephone: +49 211 8119303

Email: praevention@med.uni-duesseldorf.de

Helpline … before anything happens

Anonymous help for people with paedophilic tendencies

Telephone ( Mon–Fri: 09:00–18:00): +49 800 7 022240

www.bevor-was-passiert.de