Welcome to our psychoanalytic practice

As humans, we are naturally “group creatures.” We develop our personalities, characteristics, and abilities in close connection with other people. Experiences from interpersonal situations can therefore have a strong influence on us, both positive and negative. That is why relationships are central to psychoanalysis.

In psychoanalytic group therapy for individuals and couples, you don't just get feedback from the psychoanalyst. Each group member also receives feedback from several very different people. Participants experience that others approach their problems very differently than they do, allowing each individual to experience, understand, and work through their psychological stress, symptoms, or impairments on a whole new level.

The group therapy relationships thus offer participants important opportunities for development. They learn to become more aware of their needs, to experience their own emotions, to perceive other people realistically and holistically, to set boundaries, and to recognize their own contradictions between their own and others' perspectives. In addition, participants should experience being able to break free from attachments permanently and without feelings of guilt, and to say goodbye.

Furthermore, the participants (individually or as a couple) should have important corrective experiences in the group process when the group reacts differently to the relationship offers than they are used to from their environment. This gives participants the opportunity to further develop their own identity.

It is perfectly normal to feel fear, inhibitions, or a certain amount of uncertainty before starting psychoanalytic group therapy. Almost everyone feels this way, and for the vast majority of participants, this feeling changes for the better over time.

Each of us has had a negative experience in a group at least once in our lives, or been hurt by a group, or experienced an unwanted break in a relationship during a conflict. This makes it all the more important to develop a sense of belonging and to realize that I am not the only one who feels this way.

This is where the role of the psychoanalyst comes into play. She guides the process and provides a safe environment for all group members so that each individual is seen and supported by the group.

Participants (individually or as couples) experience how they shape their relationships with other people through their interactions with each other. They learn to become more aware of their own feelings, emotions, and sensations while also becoming more open to other people and their needs, motivations, and perspectives. In this way, symptoms such as depressive syndrome, psychosomatic impairments, fears of all kinds, and/or obsessive thoughts and behaviors triggered by a mental disorder can be understood as the result of failed interpersonal relationships—an important step toward reshaping relationships in the future.

Psychoanalytic group therapy for individuals and couples focuses on experiencing and understanding a fundamental, inner, sometimes unconscious dynamic that causes us to repeatedly shape our relationships in a certain way. This dynamic is itself the result of previous relationship experiences, which are usually shaped by unconscious inner motives and patterns.

These unfold in a safe setting and open group communication, focusing on three areas: the relationship experience in the group, current conflicts, and one's own life story.

No topic is predetermined for the group. Participants talk about what is currently on their minds and share their ideas and fantasies as freely as possible. The new knowledge can then be tested in everyday life and brought back into the group for further development.

Why Couples Group Therapy?

As human beings, we do not develop our identity in isolation, but in dialogue and through experiencing our Self in the Other. In couples group therapy, you receive not only professional therapeutic support, but also enriching exchanges with other couples. This resonance space opens up new perspectives on your own relationship and fosters change, growth, and closeness.

Who Is This For?

Couples group therapy is designed for couples who want to reflect on their relationship in a protected setting. The exchange with other couples opens new perspectives, promotes mutual understanding, and makes steps of development visible.

Special Feature: Closed Group

Our couples groups are closed groups. This means all couples start together, go through the 12 sessions as a committed process, and complete the journey together. This creates a stable framework that fosters trust, security, and continuity.

The Role of Diagnostics – Your Added Value

Diagnostics are an integral part of the group therapy, providing structure, transparency, and traceability throughout the process. Each diagnostic includes a personal feedback session with trained professionals – so that results are not only collected but also clearly explained and integrated into the therapeutic process.

• Intake diagnostics: Clarifies the starting situation and provides a sound basis for the joint work.
• Progress diagnostics: Makes developments visible and gives valuable feedback for the ongoing process.
• Final diagnostics: Records the changes achieved and provides orientation for possible next steps.

This way, you benefit from individual feedback and professional support that directly strengthens your development as a couple.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Language: German- or Russian-speaking group
• Group size: Limited to 5 couples
• Frequency: Monthly over 12 mandatory sessions
• Duration per session: 100 minutes
• Fees:
  • €60 per person per 50 minutes
  • Diagnostics: €100 per person (each)
• Scheduling: All 12 dates are announced at the beginning
• Commitment: Absences are fully charged – the reliability of each couple ensures the therapeutic process of the entire group

To ensure an open and safe space for all participants, the confidentiality of all participants is paramount. Nothing that is discussed in the group may be disclosed to the outside! (An appropriate confidentiality agreement will of course be signed before the therapy begins).

All issues raised are treated with respect. Mutual respect is the basic prerequisite for a successful process. This creates a familiar and understanding atmosphere is created, in which the participants can work through their can work through the topics they have brought with them.

Maintaining confidentiality is a central part of our practice philosophy. We take great care to keep your personal information and conversations strictly confidential to provide you with the space and feeling of safety and peace during your therapeutic companionship.

The leading figure in the field of psychodynamic group therapy research is Irvin D. Yalom. Since the 1970s, he has been researching the processes within a group, and his work on effective factors in psychoanalytic group therapy continues to shape the scientific discourse on this topic to this day.

According to Yalom's model, participants in the group experience the same relationship problems that they have in their everyday lives. With the help of the group, participants can now become aware of their neurotic interaction patterns; this process is called insight. This newly acquired awareness enables them to change their experiences and behavior, which they can then immediately apply in the group. This experimenting with new interpersonal behaviors and their effects on the participants' experiences is called interpersonal learning. However, the most widely researched factor is group cohesion. This refers colloquially to the sense of community or belonging within a group. The ability of a participant to establish a good relationship with the group not only promotes a willingness to take risks and open up to others. Conversely, this also means that the participant receives more feedback, which makes it more likely that the therapeutic change sought can be achieved.

Here is an overview of all 11 impact factors according to Yalom:

1. Hope for healing
2. Universality of suffering
3. Communication of information
4. Altruism
5. The corrective recapitulation of the primary family
6. Techniques of interpersonal interaction
7. Imitative behavior
8. Interpersonal learning
9. Group cohesion
10. Catharsis
11. The existential experiences (death, fear, loneliness, meaninglessness)

The group composition follows the latest scientific standards of psychodynamic group therapy.

We currently have several semi-open groups, some of which are women-only groups and closed groups for couples. Semi-open means that if a member leaves the group, the place is filled with a new person. Up to a maximum of 9 people participate in each of the semi-open groups. They take place weekly, last 100 minutes per session, and are offered in two languages (German and Russian). In the closed groups for couples, a maximum of five couples participate. They take place monthly, A maximum of five couples participate in the closed groups for couples. They take place monthly, last 100 minutes per session, and are offered in two languages (German and Russian).

In some cases, it makes sense to combine psychoanalytic group therapy with individual therapy, which is then decided on a case-by-case basis during the psychotherapeutic consultation. In this so-called combination therapy, the weekly group sessions are combined with additional individual sessions. In most cases, these take place every 14 days and serve to accompany and deepen the group therapy.

If you are interested in one of our analytical group therapy sessions, we will first arrange an appointment for a consultation in the form of a psychotherapeutic consultation. During this appointment, we will discuss your symptoms and determine whether group therapy would be the right approach for you. If so, we will look for a group from which you can benefit the most.

The costs of individual therapy in a group or a combination treatment are covered by statutory health insurance in the same way as individual therapy. Of course, you can also attend therapy as a self-payer or privately insured patient. Prices are based on the current GOP rates (https://abrechnungsstelle.com/goae/gop-ziffern/). We recommend that you contact your private health insurance provider or benefits office before starting therapy to find out how the costs will be covered in your case. Please note that the initial consultation is subject to a fee.

Participation in analytical group therapy is only possible for self-payers.