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Psychological counseling

Psychological counseling is tailored to the students' environment: We are well acquainted with the difficulties that can arise in students’ everyday life. We support you in finding a way out and rediscovering your abilities and strengths. Our counseling services are completely confidential.

Counseling services

We advise on…

  • Contact difficulties
  • Examination fears and speech inhibitions
  • Partner problems
  • Personal crises
  • Study stress
  • Mental disorders
  • Depressed mood
  • Or even if you don't know exactly what's going on, but feel that it would be good to talk to someone in confidence

 

Q&A
Frequently asked questions
Q&A

Q&A
Frequently asked questions
Q&A

What forms of counseling are available? How can I get advice?

The most common form of counseling is still a one-on-one interview between a counselor and the person seeking advice.

Couples can also receive counseling if at least one of them is studying. However we ask you not to bring another person with you spontaneously, please inform us in advance. Our consultants will need time to adjust to the somewhat different consulting situation.

If you are still hesitating to speak directly with someone or prefer to remain - for the time being - anonymous, you can also choose the online consulting route.

In addition, we regularly offer courses and workshops for which you can register. Some of these courses require a personal preliminary talk.

 

What can I expect during the consultation?

A one-on-one consultation usually takes 50 minutes.

We generally start by clarifying the issue that you want to work on. This includes, for example, the reason for the consultation, expectations and wishes for the consultation, goals, etc., but also questions about previous attempts at a solution or whether there are any previous experiences with consultation or therapy.

Then we decide whether there should be continued sessions or whether psychotherapy is appropriate. We also provide support in the search for a therapist.

Who are the counsellors? Who will advise me?

The following experts belong to the psychological counselling team:

  • B. Albrecht, Psychological Consultant (HPG)
  • S. Bärmann, Psychologist (HPG)
  • A. Demming, Psychologist (PPT)
  • S. Ernst, Psychologist, M.Sc. (PPT)
  • S. Kremkau, Psychological Consultant, Dance Therapist BVT/BTD (HPG)
  • M. Paschen, Psychologist M.Sc. (PPT i.A.)
  • D. Schaper, Psychologist M.Sc. (PPT)
  • T. Stahl, Social Worker / Social Pedagogue M.A. (HPG)
  • E. Umbach, Psychologist M.Sc. (HPG, PPT i.A.)

Are the consultants really qualified?

We attach great importance to a high standard of counseling and the qualifications of the people who offer psychological counseling. The designation "psychological consultant" is not a legal term in Germany.

All our psychological consultants are therefore either licensed "to practice medicine in the field of psychotherapy" according to §1 HPG (Heilpraktikergesetz) or licensed as psychological psychotherapists (PPT). However, we do not carry out any psychotherapeutic processes in our counseling center, we offer general counseling.

Do I have to pay anything?

The first five counseling appointments are free of charge. Should more appointments be necessary, we charge a fee of 2.50 euros per session.

We charge a small fee for course offerings.

How often can I have a consultation?

There is no general upper limit for us. The extent and frequency of the consultation dates depend on your needs and our capacities.

Who can I turn to if I am in an acute crisis situation?

In acute situations sometimes it is possible that we cannot be reached quickly enough.

In these cases you can turn to the following:
The Crisis Line (Telefonseelsorge) service is available around the clock and is free of charge. (Tel. 0800 111 01 11 / 0800 111 02 22)

In mental emergency situations you can contact a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Find out the areas of responsibility of the psychiatric outpatient clinics in Cologne here or call 0221 478 872 91.

In case of danger, you can call the police (emergency call, tel. 110) or the fire department (rescue service, tel. 112).

What other counseling services for students also available in Cologne?

What other counseling services are available for students in Cologne?

 

  • The Protestant Student Community (ESG) offers psychosocial counseling for students on various topics through Pastor Ms. Neufang and Pastor Mr. Heimbach. The denomination does not matter!

ESG Cologne - Counseling & Pastoral Care for Students (esgkoeln.de)

 

  • The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of the University of Cologne also offers a comprehensive range of counseling services for students as part of the so-called 360-degree counseling:

360 Grad Beratung (uni-koeln.de)

 

  • The ASTA of the Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln) also offers psychosocial and psychological counseling:

Psychosocial Counseling of the AStA

 

  • Although the University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy at the University of Cologne (HAPUK) is generally open to all population groups, its location at the Faculty of Human Sciences naturally means that it is particularly close to the lives of students. It is a particularly suitable point of contact for those who explicitly require psychotherapy and diagnostics:

HAPUK - University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy University of Cologne

Do I have to bring my health insurance card?

You do not need a health insurance card: our work is largely financed by your semester fees. We do not bill through health insurance companies.

How do I find a psychotherapist myself?

Here you will find important contact points for finding psychotherapy.  

Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (Bundespsychotherapeutenkammer)

  • On the website of the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists you will find all important information about the procedures, methods, cost coverage and everything else for patients. 
  • You will also find an overview in the brochure "Ways to Psychotherapy" (Wege zur Psychotherapie)
  • When searching, you will be referred directly by the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists to the respective state chamber (Landeskammer). You can filter according to various criteria, here is where the information in the above mentioned brochure will probably be very helpful.

North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Nordrhein)

  • On the website of the North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians there are additional service centers which arrange specialist and psychotherapeutic appointments (Terminservicestellen
  • Theoretically, many results can be obtained using the online search form (for students with state health insurance)

Your own health insurance

  • Your health insurance company will also help you find a place for psychotherapy. Often, however, the health insurance companies also refer you directly to to make an appointment. 

I have more questions. Where will they be answered?

A look at our FAQs can be helpful. There we answer even more questions that are frequently asked.

If something is still unclear - just call us or send us an email!

 

 

Didn't answer your question?

We are happy to help!

Office (S. Pennino & L. Müller)

Tel. 0221 94265 – 572
Mo – Thu 9 am – 1 pm
Thu 2 pm – 4:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am – 2 pm
beratung@kstw.de

Opening hours
Contact

Office - Appointments & Workshop Application

Luxemburger Straße 181 – 183
50939 Köln
Tel. 0221 94265 – 572

Mon – Thu 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 
Thu 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am – 2:00 pm 

Online Consultation

You can ask questions and find answers free of charge in our online counseling service. The portal is protected, free of charge and puts you in contact with our advisors.

Wir helfen gerne weiter
Ansprechpartner

Martin Paschen
Abteilungsleiter