www.therapeutin.de

I am a psychologist and ethnologist — these two perspectives shape my work. From ethnology, I bring an eye for cultural and social contexts; from psychology, an understanding of individual experience and behavior. I also have particular specializations in neurodiversity sensitivity and queer-affirmative work. I work exclusively online, which is lower-threshold for many clients than visiting a practice.

For adults who are experiencing psychological distress or carrying questions about themselves — whether in the area of depression, anxiety, stress, relationship conflicts, neurodivergence, or gender identity. My practice is particularly suited for people who have felt misunderstood in other practices — for example, because neurodivergent or queer aspects of their experience were overlooked or pathologized.

In therapy, both sides should feel comfortable — and that includes how we address each other. If we both feel comfortable using first names and a more informal tone, we are welcome to do so. If you prefer a more formal approach, that is just as fine. We can simply try it out in the initial consultation and see what feels right.

German and English. I am comfortable in both languages, and you can switch between them during therapy if it helps you to work on certain topics in one language or the other.

Write to me by email at lena@therapeutin.koeln or via the contact form. Please include a brief description of your concern and your availability.

I am available by phone on Mondays from 8:30–9:00 AM. Outside these times, I can be reached via SMS or Signal. I will get back to you promptly with a concrete appointment offer for an initial consultation.

In the initial consultation, we get to know each other and look together at what is on your mind and what goals you have. I gain an overview of your situation and give you an initial assessment of whether and how I can support you. There is no obligation — you can decide after the initial consultation whether you want to begin therapy with me.

After the initial consultation, we develop a therapy plan that fits you and your concerns. I work with cognitive behavioral therapy, incorporating schema-therapeutic and mindfulness-based elements. There is no standardized, off-the-shelf therapy — we look first, understand, and then develop a path together. Sessions take place weekly or biweekly, later possibly less frequently.

Neurodiversity-sensitive means: I do not view neurodivergent traits — ADHD, autism, high sensitivity, giftedness — as deficits, but as part of who you are. We look together at which of your traits are strengths in which contexts and where they present challenges. Therapy here does not mean conforming to a norm, but finding a way of dealing with yourself that fits you and your life.

Couples therapy can be helpful when you are stuck as a couple — with recurring conflicts, communication problems, loss of trust, or when you need to make a decision together. Couples therapy can also help when one partner is psychologically burdened. Couples therapy does not mean the relationship is failing — on the contrary: seeking support is a sign of responsibility for each other.

An individual therapy session lasts 50 minutes, couples therapy sessions 50 or 100 minutes. The number of sessions is highly individual — some people reach their goals in a few sessions, others I accompany for longer. In the initial consultation, we discuss a rough estimate that we can adjust over the course of therapy.

I offer clinical-psychological diagnostics, in particular ADHD and autism diagnostics. As a long-time lecturer in psychological diagnostics, I also look at more complex relationships and subclinical symptom constellations that do not meet the full criteria for a diagnosis but can still cause clinically significant suffering.

Diagnostics comprise several sessions: anamnestic interviews, clinical interviews, questionnaire procedures (test diagnostics), and the collection of third-party anamnestic data — e.g. elementary school report cards, conversations with partner, parents, or siblings. I also assess additional neurodivergent traits that often accompany ADHD or autism. At the end, you receive a detailed assessment report.

You can end the process at any time without giving reasons. In that case, only the costs for services rendered up to that point apply.

Yes, I prepare psychotherapeutic reports for the start of hormonal treatment (HRT start) and for surgical procedures as part of gender affirmation. For HRT start, 1–3 sessions are usually needed; for surgery reports, approximately 12 sessions plus test diagnostics. The reports are handed to you — direct forwarding to third parties occurs only at your request.

The processing time depends on the scope. Simple expert opinions can be prepared within 1–2 weeks after the last appointment; comprehensive reports (e.g. for surgical applications) usually require 2–4 weeks.

Please let me know about any scheduling-related urgency during our conversation.

Absolutely. All information you entrust to me is subject to confidentiality. I do not pass on data to third parties. Reports are only handed to you personally, unless you explicitly wish direct forwarding to a specific institution.

I currently do not have health insurance accreditation, which means I cannot bill directly with statutory health insurance funds. Cost coverage through the reimbursement procedure may be possible — please write me an email to clarify the options.

For private insurance, please clarify in advance whether and to what extent costs will be covered. For those entitled to Beihilfe, cost coverage is possible — please clarify this with your Beihilfe office before starting therapy. As a self-payer, you will receive a detailed invoice from me that you may be able to claim as extraordinary expenses on your tax return.

An individual therapy session (50 minutes) costs 134.06 EUR according to the fee schedule for psychotherapists (GOP, number 812a). Couples therapy sessions cost 134.06 EUR for 50 minutes or 268.12 EUR for 100 minutes. Diagnostic services are billed according to the GOP. The exact costs are discussed transparently in advance.

Yes, on my costs page you will find a detailed overview with example calculations for various services such as ADHD diagnostics or report preparation. The current GOP table is also available there.

I issue an invoice after each session or diagnostic service. Payment is made on the basis of this invoice. There are no hidden costs — all services are discussed transparently in advance.