FAQs

Use the links throughout the site to access the online booking system. If you find a suitable time slot, select it and confirm to secure either a free initial consultation or a regular session. You’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your booking—if it doesn’t arrive, please check your spam folder. Once confirmed, I’ll send directions to the practice or the link for our online session. If no suitable time is available, please get in touch via the contact form, by email (kontakt@anika-mehlis-beratung.com), WhatsApp, or phone (+49 (0)155-63583196). We’ll find a flexible solution that works for you.

In a free, no-obligation meeting (online or at my practice, approx. 20–30 minutes), you outline your concerns and goals; I ask focused questions, and together we decide whether systemic counselling or psychotherapy under the German Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprG) is the best fit—always with the option to adjust the framework later as needed. I briefly explain the proposed approach and methods. We discuss confidentiality, data protection, and record-keeping transparently, and we clarify session length and frequency, fees, and the cancellation policy. We then summarise and plan next steps or appointments—or, where medically appropriate, I recommend a suitable referral (e.g., to a psychotherapist whose services are covered by statutory health insurance or to a medical specialist). You don’t need to prepare anything; feel free to bring any existing reports. In couple or family settings, we agree on goals and clear ground rules at the outset. Afterwards, both sides have time to reflect before deciding whether to work together.

Relationship counselling can be helpful in many situations. My rules of thumb: “Better sooner than (too) late” and “Regularly—an investment in your (shared) future.” It’s especially useful when communication problems and misunderstandings are frequent, when breaches of trust (e.g., infidelity) strain the relationship, or when life circumstances change—moving house, a new job, or a growing family. Counselling can also help when you’re uncertain about your future together or how you want to shape the relationship. Support with opening a relationship or integrating new relationship models is another good reason to seek help. If closeness and intimacy have faded, counselling can help you navigate these challenges.

In some cases, ending the romantic relationship may be the healthiest path. Counselling can still be very valuable—especially in an emotionally intense period—to maintain constructive communication. Transitioning from a romantic relationship into co-parenting or a respectful friendship is another situation where guidance can make the process smoother.

Ultimately, every relationship brings up themes that benefit from being addressed together. Working on them collaboratively lays a solid foundation for your shared future.

The number of counselling or therapy sessions varies widely and depends on your individual needs and the complexity of the issues. Some individuals or couples resolve specific concerns within a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer process to address deeper or long-standing (internal and external) conflicts.

For relationship counselling, a typical framework is about 3–10 sessions; we agree a provisional number together during the initial consultation. What matters most is a flexible process that responds to your progress and needs.

Therapy is usually medium- to long-term, typically beginning with 5–10 sessions. Longer-term support—20 sessions or more—can be appropriate on an individual basis.

In an acute crisis or conflict, close intervals – usually weekly – are helpful to provide a sense of safety and to respond to rapidly changing circumstances. As things settle, two- to three-week intervals are common, because the real impact unfolds not only in the 50 minutes we spend together but through integrating and applying insights between sessions.

Many clients also opt for longer intervals later on – periodic check-ins to revisit topics, consolidate progress, and get support as needed. I’m happy to offer monthly follow-ups over a longer period (e.g., 6–12 months).

TIt depends on your concerns and goals – and it may change over time. In a free initial consultation, we’ll clarify what makes sense to begin with and how to start. My advantage: I offer both systemic counselling and psychotherapy under the German Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprG) and can flexibly adapt the framework to your situation.

Systemic counselling
Short-term, solution-focused and grounded in everyday life – ideal when there is (as yet) no clinical diagnosis. Typical topics include relationship and couple dynamics, separation/new beginnings, friendships, high sensitivity/giftedness, family dynamics and communication, and personal or professional decisions. Orientation can often be achieved in 3-10 sessions, after which we agree on the next steps together.

Systemic psychotherapy (under HeilprG)
Appropriate when difficulties go beyond counselling, e.g. depression, anxiety, adjustment/stress reactions, trauma-related issues, or psychosomatic complaints. We work therapeutically with assessment/diagnostics, an individual treatment plan, and methods from my toolkit (including systemic approaches, ACT, person-centred talking therapy, positive psychology, CBT, schema therapy, parts work, and constellation work). We review progress and effectiveness regularly.

Staying flexible in the process
Topics evolve. We regularly check whether counselling still fits or whether we should switch to a therapeutic framework (or vice versa) so that the support remains appropriate and effective.

Limits & referral
In acute crises or severe illness, I involve medical specialists/clinics or refer on – for example to psychotherapy covered by statutory health insurance or to specialised services.

Several factors matter. First, the client should be willing to speak openly and honestly about their concerns and goals. Trust and a strong working relationship between client and practitioner are equally important. The practitioner should bring solid training and experience. Both sides need clear goals and realistic expectations, and the client should be motivated to make changes and apply insights between sessions. Regular appointments and active participation also contribute significantly to success. All of this is best explored in an initial consultation, which gives both sides a chance to get to know each other before deciding to work together.

No. As a systemic counsellor and Heilpraktiker for psychotherapy, I am bound by professional confidentiality. Everything you share with me is treated as strictly confidential.

Data protection & documentation: I explain how I handle your personal data, how I securely store notes/records, and what your rights are—clearly and transparently—in the free initial consultation. We document this in writing and sign it together.

Disclosure only with consent: I will share information (e.g., with partners, physicians, schools, or employers) only with your prior, explicit consent.

Exceptions (legal limits): In rare cases, confidentiality may be limited—for example, in situations of imminent danger to self or others, or where the law requires disclosure. If such a situation arises, I will inform you as transparently as possible.

Couple/family settings: Content from individual sessions will not be brought into joint sessions without your consent.

Statutory health insurers (public/GKV) do not reimburse my services.

Private health insurers and private supplementary plans may cover services provided by Heilpraktiker:innen (Psychotherapy), depending on your tariff—however, reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Please check with your insurer before starting treatment (e.g., tariff, maximum amounts, required documents).

You will receive an invoice from me that you can submit to your insurer.

Regardless of reimbursement, you are of course welcome to begin self-funded counselling/therapy.

I am legally required to keep clinical records. I maintain a client file with all relevant information, your history, assessments, methods used, and the course of therapy. This ensures your care is tailored to you and that everything is documented safely and traceably.

All records are stored securely and in encrypted form, with access restricted, for 10 years; afterwards, they are destroyed. You have the right to access your file at any time. At the start of treatment, you sign a privacy/data protection agreement consenting to the storage and processing of your data under these conditions.