Guide from erstmalreden.de
How do I arrange a first psychotherapy appointment?
You do not need a diagnosis (A professional assessment by a qualified person. You do not always need a diagnosis before asking for help.) or your whole story for the first contact. You can ask directly for a psychotherapeutic consultation. A short sentence, your contact details, and a request for an appointment are enough to begin.
First contact & finding words
In short
- What this page is about
- Arrange a first psychotherapy appointment in Germany: short wording for phone or email, useful details, and the 116117 appointment route.
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- Prepare one short phone or message sentence.
Contact a practice directly
You can contact a psychotherapeutic (A professional for psychotherapy. Medication is usually prescribed by medical doctors, not psychological psychotherapists.) practice yourself. A referral is generally not required for the psychotherapeutic consultation. Ask first for a consultation appointment. This is an initial professional assessment and not yet a promise of an ongoing therapy place.
A sentence for the phone
You can say: “Hello, I am looking for an appointment for a psychotherapeutic consultation (A first assessment appointment in a psychotherapeutic practice in Germany. It does not automatically mean a therapy place is available.). Are you accepting new patients, or do you have a waiting list?” You may read the sentence aloud. You do not have to explain your full situation on the phone.
A short message or email
If the practice accepts written requests, you can write: “Hello, I would like to arrange a psychotherapeutic consultation. I have statutory/private insurance and can be reached at [phone or email]. Please let me know whether an appointment or waiting list is available.” Do not include unnecessary intimate details in an unencrypted message.
Which details may matter?
Useful details are your name, a safe way to contact you, your insurance status, and the clear request for a consultation. Some practices ask about age, availability, or a very brief description of the strain. You can say that you prefer to discuss details in the protected appointment.
Use the 116117 appointment service
People with German statutory health insurance can also arrange a psychotherapeutic consultation through 116117 (Germany’s medical on-call and appointment service. It is not an emergency number; call 112 in immediate danger.) by phone or online. No referral code is needed for this first consultation. A code may become relevant for certain later appointments. 116117 is not an emergency number; call 112 in immediate danger.
If there is no reply or appointment
You can follow up once and contact other practices or 116117 at the same time. A rejection usually means that no place is currently available, not that your concern is unimportant. Briefly note when you contacted each practice.
Updated: August 12, 2026 · Sources checked: August 12, 2026
Sources and notes
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- Ask for a psychotherapeutic consultation.
- If no appointment is available, contact another practice or 116117.
This page offers orientation and words for first contact. If you need counseling, therapy, or emergency help, real contact points matter.