My focus: People and what drives them.
Psychological Psychotherapist and Journalist
Psychological Psychotherapist and Journalist
My focus: People and what drives them.
I am a psychologist, psychotherapist, and freelance journalist. In my professions, I work with stories, but in very different ways.
In cognitive-behavioural therapy, I help people understand, tell, and change their own personal story. As a journalist, I gather other people’s stories, knowledge, and insights, and present them in a way that helps the world better understand psychological topics.
Psychotherapy, Couples Therapy & Coaching
As a psychological psychotherapist, I help people find their own answers.
I am a cognitive-behavioural therapist and therefore particularly interested in how thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are connected. My focus is on understanding things better and trying out new approaches. I firmly believe that happiness and the path to it can look different for each person. People who come to me for therapy are seen as experts in their own lives, whom I aim to support and guide with tolerance, commitment, and humour.
Important Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
The range of services covers all mental health conditions, as well as couples therapy and coaching. Common reasons for seeking support include anxiety, self-esteem issues, depression, burnout, and acute life crises, such as grief, heartbreak, or interpersonal conflicts.
-
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy can help when a relationship has become difficult – for example, if conversations repeatedly end in arguments, closeness is lost, or partners no longer understand each other properly. Sometimes the goal is to strengthen the relationship, other times to explore whether and how a shared path forward is possible. Together, couples can learn to communicate better, express needs more clearly, and find new ways of relating to each other.
Coaching
Coaching is aimed at people without a mental health disorder who seek more clarity, orientation, or change in specific areas of life. It can be useful when considering a professional or personal reorientation, facing important decisions, or feeling stuck. Typical reasons include career changes or the desire for greater job satisfaction, uncertainty in decision-making, difficulties in communication and relationships, and questions around self-esteem, boundaries, or motivation.
ADHD Assessment
I offer a comprehensive ADHD assessment for adults, conducted over a total of three sessions. In the first session, we gather information about your current life situation and your childhood in order to clarify whether there is a well-founded suspicion of ADHD. If indicated, standardized questionnaires, school reports, feedback from people close to you, and psychological test procedures are included. If an ADHD diagnosis is confirmed, you will receive a written diagnostic report, which you may use—if you wish—for further psychiatric evaluation in a medical practice.
-
Billing for psychotherapeutic services is based on the Fee Schedule for Psychotherapists (GOP).
Private Health Insurance
The costs of psychotherapy are covered depending on your private health insurance plan. Please check with your insurer before starting therapy which forms or application documents are required and bring them to the initial session. The fees charged in accordance with the GOP may exceed the stated self-pay rate.
Public Aid (Beihilfe)
Generally, public aid covers psychotherapy costs. Please confirm the requirements with your Beihilfe office before starting therapy, request the necessary application forms, and bring them to the first session.
Self-Payers
Self-payers benefit from no data being shared with health insurers or public aid offices.
50-minute individual therapy: €140.
75-minute couples therapy: €200. Depending on the type of service and its tax classification, 19% VAT may apply.
A comprehensive ADHD assessment for adults costs €500.
50 minutes of coaching cost €142.80 (€120 plus 19% VAT in accordance with the German VAT Act).
Public insurances
In certain situations, public health insurers may cover psychotherapy in private practices through the so-called reimbursement procedure. More information is available at: https://www.tepavi.de/patient-innen
Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment incur a cancellation fee. The information provided here serves only as general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. It has been compiled to the best of our knowledge, but no guarantee can be given regarding its accuracy.
-
Information about the availability of a therapy slot is provided by email. Please let me know with each inquiry whether you are a self-paying client or what type of health insurance you have
In psychological emergencies, the Berlin Crisis Service is available 24/7 at 030 – 390 63 00. The Telephone Counseling Service offers free support 24/7 at 0800 – 111 0 111. In acute emergencies, you can also call the emergency number 110 at any time.
-
Here you can find a selection of my journalistic articles (in German):
All about psychotherapy
Therapieformen: Therapie-Guide | DIE ZEITHow can one become more self-compassionate?
Selbstmitgefühl: Warum bin ich immer so hart zu mir? | DIE ZEITWhen does one need psychotherapy?
Psychische Gesundheit: "Nicht jeder Mensch braucht eine Psychotherapie" | ze.ttHow does one find the right therapist?
Hilfe, die nicht hilft: Wann es Zeit ist, die Therapeutin zu wechselnHow does one get through a crisis of meaning?
Sinnkrise: So übersteht man eine Quarterlife-Crisis | DIE ZEITWhat is the best way to talk about problems?
Psychische Probleme: Darüber Reden | DIE ZEITHow does one stop self-sabotaging?
Selbstsabotage: Warum wir uns selbst Steine in den Weg legen – und was dagegen hilft - DER SPIEGELWhich books do couples therapists recommend?
Beziehungsratgeber: Diese Bücher lesen Paartherapeut:innen | ze.ttMy book recommendations on various topics (in German):
Selbstmitgefühl: Wie wir uns mit unseren Schwächen versöhnen und uns selbst der beste Freund werden von Kristine Neff
Ihr Persönlichkeits-Portrait: Warum Sie genau so denken, lieben und sich verhalten, wie Sie es tun von John M. Oldham, Lois B. Morris und Rita Höner
Warum wir uns immer in den Falschen verlieben von Amir Levine, Rachel S.F. Heller und Rita Höner
-
What exactly can I expect from psychotherapy?
What methods are available?
How do I find a therapy slot?
What is the difference between psychotherapists and psychiatrists?
All these questions and many more are answered in this article (German) on ZEIT ONLINE.
I write and speak for various German media outlets on psychology, psychotherapy, society, and science. My clients include, among others, Tagesspiegel, DIE ZEIT, and SPIEGEL Online. In addition to my psychology studies, training as a psychological psychotherapist, and clinical work experience, I have completed a journalism training equivalent to a traineeship alongside my studies.
Journalism
As a freelance journalist, I focus on topics such as science, mental health, and society.
I write and speak for various German media outlets on psychology, psychotherapy, society, and science. My clients include, among others, Tagesspiegel, DIE ZEIT, and SPIEGEL Online. In addition to my psychology studies, training as a psychological psychotherapist, and clinical work experience, I have completed a journalism training equivalent to a traineeship alongside my studies.
Psychological Consulting, Project Support and Facilitation
I consult on projects in media, culture, and the world of work where psychological and psychotherapeutic perspectives are relevant.
Dramaturgical and Academic Consulting:
Psychological consulting in the development and implementation of characters, their motivations, conflicts and actions, ensuring they are portrayed in a credible and compelling way, as well as professional and academic review from a psychological perspective.
Psychological Support and Risk Assessment:
Support, for example during film shoots or in other demanding or boundary-sensitive work contexts, assessment of psychological strain and consulting on how to manage stress, as well as prevention and protection measures.
Seminars, Training and Workshops:
Conceptualisation and delivery of seminars, training sessions and workshops on a range of psychological topics. Possible topics include: How can I take good care of myself? How can I recognise and better understand my emotions? How can I become more satisfied?
Facilitation:
Facilitation of panels, discussions and events with a psychological focus.
Further information on previous projects and details regarding potential collaboration are available on request by email.
About me
Psychotherapist and journalist dedicated to understanding people, mental health, and the world around them.
Qualifications
Studied Psychology at Universität Ulm and Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (M.Sc.)
Trained as a Psychological Psychotherapist (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) at Institut für Integrative Psychotherapieausbildung (IPB) der MSB Berlin with additional qualifications in group psychotherapy
Journalism training equivalent to a traineeship alongside studies (JONA)
Worked at Universitätsklinik Ruppin-Brandenburg on wards for affective disorders and schizophrenia-related disorders
Provided psychotherapeutic treatment at IPB Hochschulambulanz der MSB Berlin
Get in touch
Psychotherapy
For inquiries regarding my psychotherapy practice or to schedule an appointment, please email psychotherapie.leidenberger@mailbox.org or click the button below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Journalism
For inquiries related to my journalistic work, please email journalismus.leidenberger@posteo.de or click the button below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.