Finding a Therapist Who Speaks English in Germany
Written by Nastassja Volkov · Psychologische Psychotherapeutin
Moving to Germany as an expat or international comes with many adjustments, and sometimes the mental health challenges that come with relocation, cultural differences, or personal struggles need professional support. The problem: finding a therapist who speaks fluent English in Germany is harder than it should be.
Most licensed psychotherapists (Psychologische Psychotherapeuten) in Germany conduct sessions exclusively in German. English-speaking therapists exist, but they are rare and often fully booked.
Why therapy in your native language matters
Therapy requires precision. You need to be able to describe exactly how you feel, articulate the nuances of your relationships and thoughts, and access emotions that don’t always translate neatly between languages.
When working in a second language, even a fluent one, there is an added cognitive load. You’re translating internally while simultaneously trying to process something emotionally complex. Research suggests that emotionally significant memories are often encoded in the language they were formed in — which means therapy in your native language can be more effective at accessing them.
Who needs English-language therapy in Germany?
- Expats working in Germany on short or long-term assignments
- Internationals studying at German universities
- Refugees and asylum seekers from English-speaking countries
- Second- or third-generation immigrants who grew up speaking English at home
- Anyone who feels their German is not strong enough to express themselves fully in a therapeutic setting
You don’t need to be a native English speaker to benefit from English-language therapy. If English is the language in which you feel most articulate and emotionally connected, that’s the right language for your sessions.
Does online therapy work as well as in-person?
Yes. A meta-analysis by Andrews et al. (2018) of over 5,000 participants found that video-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is comparable in effectiveness to face-to-face therapy for depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. The therapeutic relationship — one of the most important factors in therapy outcomes — can be built just as effectively online.
Online therapy also solves a practical problem: you don’t have to find an English-speaking therapist in your city. You can access therapy from anywhere in Germany.
What about costs?
Therapy in English with a licensed German psychotherapist (approbiert) is typically only available as private-pay (Privatleistung). This means:
- Statutory health insurance (GKV) usually does not cover private practice sessions
- Private health insurance (PKV) often does — check with your provider in advance
- Civil servants (Beamte) with Beihilfe may be reimbursed partially depending on their federal state
Sessions are billed according to the official fee schedule (GOP), and you receive an invoice that can be submitted to your insurer.
About my practice
I am a licensed German psychotherapist (Psychologische Psychotherapeutin, approbiert) specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy. I conduct sessions in English, German, Spanish, and Russian, making me one of the few licensed therapists in Germany offering therapy in four languages.
All sessions take place online, so you can participate from anywhere in Germany — whether you’re in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, or a smaller city without access to English-speaking therapists locally.
If you have questions or would like to book an initial appointment, feel free to get in touch.