General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
What happens at the beginning?
Initial conversations help people get to know each other and assess symptoms and possible treatment needs. Goals, expectations and process can be discussed. One consultation does not automatically guarantee longer-term treatment. [1][2]
Are all approaches the same?
No. Behavioural, psychodynamic and other approaches have different emphases. Conversation, exploring experiences or exercises may be involved. The source describes approaches in more detail. [1]
How are goals discussed?
The German guideline calls for shared treatment decisions and individual goals, supported by clear information about options, benefits and harms. [3]
What can you ask?
For example: How do you work? What experience do you have with my concerns? How will we review progress? What costs and arrangements apply? These questions support getting acquainted; they are not a test you must pass.
How can you find a first contact?
Germany’s patient service explains initial psychotherapy consultations and appointment searches. Other countries’ access and funding rules need separate checking. Our professional support article provides orientation. [2]
READ FURTHER & CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources and context
How should I interpret these sources?
Source notes identify the provider, their use in this article and known limitations. The source-comparison date below is not the original publication date. No update date is assumed where none is available. General findings cannot automatically be applied to an individual; independent medical review of this draft is pending.
- IQWiG: Psychotherapy and its process (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Patient information on goals, approaches and initial consultations in Germany. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- German patient service: Psychotherapy (in German) ↗
Provider / domain: www.116117.de
Official German KBV patient service; information about initial consultations and appointment searches in Germany. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 3: Treatment planning ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for shared decisions, treatment goals and involving family members.
Research and source comparison: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance. Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Independent medical expert review is pending. Independent medical expert review has not taken place.