There is a lack of space for psychotherapy in Germany – with increased demand. Many patients therefore make compromises when choosing a therapist.
The need for psychotherapy has been increasing steadily in Germany since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. While more and more people are looking for a therapy place, the number of psychotherapist seats is currently stagnating.
The result: There is a huge gap between demand and supply, which means that those affected sometimes wait months for their therapy to begin. And then it is not even certain that the therapist directly matches the individual needs of the patient.
Anyone affected by depression, anxiety disorders or other mental illnesses needs an appreciative, understanding and constructive level when approaching therapy. In addition, the chemistry between patient and psychotherapist should also be right.
The fine line between caring and abuse of power
However, due to the immense lack of therapy space, those affected often make compromises that can have a negative impact on their healing. The idea behind it: Better a bad helping hand than none at all. The interpersonal relationship in psychotherapy is of fundamental importance for the success of therapy.
And yet it still happens far too often that psychotherapists do more harm than good to their clients. Those affected often cannot classify this because they simply lack the knowledge of what a psychotherapist is actually allowed to do – and when the duty of care becomes a clear abuse of power.
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There are clear guidelines that every psychotherapist in Germany must adhere to. For example, it is mandatory to transparently inform the person being treated about the procedure of the respective form of therapy and the expected costs and side effects before the actual therapy begins.
The duties of a psychotherapist
Furthermore, there is a strict abstinence requirement for psychotherapists, which must not be broken under any circumstances. This means that there must be no personal contact between patients and those treating them. However, if this is the case, in the legal system it is always the fault of the therapist – because those affected by mental illnesses are always in need of protection in this context.
The duties of a psychotherapist also include allowing the patient to inspect the documents, adhering to confidentiality – unless there is a risk of self-harm or harm to others – and avoiding disruptions during sessions.
If not complied with, all of these things represent serious violations of the professional regulations of psychological or medical psychotherapists and can be the basis for a public complaint against the relevant practitioner. In this case, those affected can contact the responsible chamber of psychotherapists.
Borderline cases in psychotherapy
However, there are also behaviors of psychotherapists that do not necessarily fall within the legal framework, but can still have a negative impact on people with mental illnesses. This happens, for example, when those receiving therapy make their own values and opinions the focus of the therapy. Especially if these differ significantly from the reality of the person concerned’s life.
Instead of feeling welcome and understood, this can quickly trigger the patient to question their own thoughts and feelings. And therapy should actually focus on the needs of the person affected. The only exception: The therapist says openly in the first conversation that she does not believe she can help the patient.
But even if the therapist repeatedly gives the patient unrealistic hopes, behaves disrespectfully towards his protégé or even influences him religiously or politically, those affected should listen up and, if in doubt, look for another contact point for their complaints.
File a complaint against psychotherapists
Even in all of these subjective cases, every patient has the right to file a complaint against the treating psychotherapist. This is possible in the following places, among others:
In general, as soon as you don’t feel comfortable as a patient and are unable to build a trusting relationship with your therapist, you should think about changing. And even if, in case of doubt, the search for a therapy place starts all over again, this step is often worthwhile.
Because even if the next conversation with a new psychotherapist isn’t for a few weeks, it can perhaps have more of an effect than any further conversation with someone you can’t or don’t want to confide in.
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Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
