»And the day came when the risk
to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than
the risk it took to blossom.«

Anaïs Nin

Stages in my work life

I finished University with my Masters degree in Psychology (Diplom-Psychologin) at the University of Trier, Germany in 2008. From 2008 to 2012 I was trained to become a licensed clinical counselor (Psychologische Psychotherapeutin), receiving that academic status in 2012.

2008 – 2012:
I started inpatient residency in a psychiatric ward of a general hospital in the city of Stade (Elbe Klinikum Stade) treating patients with all different kinds of psychiatric disorders, and outpatient work in the same hospital in group and single patient settings.

From 2012 to 2014 I mainly did outpatient work as aftercare for those formerly inpatients (mainly people suffering from affective disorders) in a psychiatric hospital in Hamburg (Asklepios Klinik Nord- Ochsenzoll). 

In 2014 I returned to working in inpatient care in the same hospital, Asklepios Klinik Nord -Ochsenzoll, in a psychiatric/psychotherapeutic ward (O53B) specialized in the treatment of young adults dealing with all different types of eating disorders (Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge Eating) as well as young adults dealing with crises affecting their orientation in the “adult” world, computer-gaming, depression or/and anxiety. I have been working there part-time ever since

I also taught clinical psychology/treatment courses to Psychology Students at the University of Hamburg in Bachelors and Masters Programs from 2012 to 2015. 

Since 2013 I have also been teaching at the IVAH in Hamburg (Institute for Behavioral Therapy Hamburg), IPP in Bremen (Institute for Psychological Psychotherapy) and HIP (Harbor-City Institute of Psychotherapy at the Medical School Hamburg) for Psychologists during their training to become licensed psychotherapists.

I received a certificate in Psychotraumatherapy in 2016 from the DeGPT (German Speakting association for Psychotraumatology), and I work with trauma-exposure methods like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) in addition to the CBT approach whenever indicated.

Furthermore I received a supervisor-certificate in 2018. This entitles me to supervise Psychologists, Psychotherapists, etc. who are seeking advice concerning their work with patients.

I opened up my private practice in 2013 and am now also doing outpatient work, working with patients that are dealing with different kinds of affective disorders (OCD, eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD etc.).
If you have mental health issues, the Health care system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung as well as private Krankenversicherung) usually pay for the treatment carried out by a “Psychologische PsychotherapeutIn” or “ärztliche Psychotherapeutin”.

About cognitive behavioral therapy 

I understand psychotherapy from a humanistic perspective. I am more than willing to support you in analyzing your biography and trying to understand the patterns that have formed your personality throughout your life. I also view crisis as a failure of these patterns – they did work at some point in your life period. They may have been survival mechanisms in an environment we were not able to choose for ourselves – and these mechanisms still function in our adult life often not for our own benefit. From a cognitive behavioral approach, we can review these cognitive and behavioral as well as emotional and physiological patterns – discuss, question, accept to a certain extent and may be modify or change them. In order to minimize the symptoms of whichever psychological disorder you are struggling with, we will aim to increase your quality of life.

I myself do not and am not allowed to prescribe medication, if additional medication should, at any point during our work together, be necessary and helpful, you will need to consult a psychiatrist (Facharzt für Psychiatrie/ PsychiaterIn).