Methods
What cognitive behavioural therapy is — and what it isn't
CBT is the most-researched form of psychotherapy in Germany, and yet it is often misunderstood. An honest framing beyond the clichés.
When I ask patients what they think cognitive behavioural therapy is, I usually hear one of two sentences. One: “You do that cold what-if logic exercise with me.” Two: “You don’t really talk to me, you just give me homework.” Both are clichés and neither does justice to the reality. An honest framing is worth the time — because CBT (in Germany, “Verhaltenstherapie”) is the most thoroughly researched form of psychotherapy with public-insurance approval, and it’s worth understanding what it actually does.
What CBT is
At its core, CBT rests on the observation that feelings, thoughts and behaviour are connected — and that none of these building blocks is set in stone. We don’t learn feelings directly, but we learn how to interpret them, how to react to them, what we do with them. These learned patterns can be recognised, questioned and replaced with more helpful ones.
In practice this means: we look very concretely at situations from your everyday life. When does your anxiety arise? What precedes the panic attack? What automatic thoughts run? What do you avoid because of it — and what price do you pay? Out of these observations comes an understanding of your individual pattern, and from that, step by step, change.
What CBT isn’t
It isn’t coldly rational. Modern CBT (often called “third-wave”) very much works with feelings — they are often the starting point. Mindfulness, self-compassion, acceptance — today these are standard components.
It isn’t superficial. We don’t only “scratch at the symptom”. On many themes — trauma, identity questions, family dynamics — we go biographically deep and work with what shaped you.
It isn’t “homework instead of relationship”. The therapeutic relationship is also in CBT the most important factor of change. Yes, there are exercises between sessions, because change happens in everyday life, not in the 50-minute slot. But the foundation is always the conversation.
What you can concretely expect
A regular CBT course in Germany has a clear structure:
- Consultations (max. 3, 25 or 50 min each). We get to know each other, clarify diagnosis, see whether I’m a good fit for you.
- Probatory sessions (2–4). We understand your concerns more precisely, formulate goals, apply for therapy with your insurer.
- Therapy (short-term 24 sessions, long-term 60). We work step by step on your themes, 50 minutes each.
- Conclusion. We look at what you take with you, what you continue on your own, how you’ll notice if something wobbles.
Transparency is standard in every phase: at any moment you should understand why we’re doing what we do. If not, ask.
How I work
It matters to me that therapy isn’t run by the textbook but tailored to you. I take the methods seriously and I take you as a person seriously — these aren’t opposites. If a tool doesn’t fit, we find another. If an area of life needs more space, it gets that space. CBT is a frame, not a corset.
If you are unsure whether this form is right for you: come to the free 15-minute first consultation. We can discuss what you expect, what fits your situation, and how the procedure with your health insurance works.