What happens in psychotherapy?
What questions can I ask in psychotherapy?
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.
General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Sources & editorial status
- IQWiG: Psychotherapy and its process (German-language source) ↗
Patient information on goals, approaches and initial consultations in Germany. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- German patient service: Psychotherapy (in German) ↗
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 ↗
German-language clinical guideline. Used for shared decisions, treatment goals and involving family members.
Compiled from an existing article: 31 October 2026. Source comparison in the article: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance; independent medical review is pending. Editorial compilation; independent medical expert review has not taken place.
Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Known limitations and the use of each source are explained alongside the reference. A source-comparison date is not the publication date of the original source.