Family counselling online
Often free, always anonymous and whenever it suits you.
Here you will find counselling centres and professionals for questions about family and parenting. When there are lots of rows at home, a child is worrying you or a lot is changing in the family. You write when you have time, or you talk by video. A pseudonym is all you need.
In danger right now? Emergency number 112. Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line), day and night: 0800 111 0 111.
Does this sound familiar?
- Every morning is a battle until everyone is out of the house.
- Your child is withdrawing and you can't get through to them any more.
- As parents, you keep arguing about rules and parenting.
- Puberty has turned your child into someone you first have to get to know.
- Since you became a stepfamily, nobody really feels at home.
- A relative needs care, and everything revolves around that.
Every family reaches its limits sometimes. The fact that you are looking for support shows how important your family is to you. In counselling, you look at what is already going well and build on it.
What happens in counselling
A professional from social work, education or psychology listens to you and asks questions. You look at what each family member needs and what makes you strong as a family. Then you find small steps that work in everyday life. You decide the topic and the pace.
How it works
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Choose a centre or counsellor
You can see who offers counselling: training, focus areas, languages and how the person works. Many centres serve your town, some serve all of Germany.
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Book an appointment or write first
Book a first session by video. In the form, you briefly say what it is about. Or write a message first.
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Your own room
Messages, appointments and the link to the video session are all in one place. You can get back in at any time, from your phone too.
Who is counselling right now
Frequently asked questions
Can we come as a whole family?
That depends on the centre. Some counsel parents, some the whole family. Each counsellor profile shows how the person works.
I am a single parent. Is this for me too?
Yes. If you manage a lot on your own, it helps to have someone to think things through with. You fit the counselling into times that work for you, in the evening too.
Will the youth welfare office find out?
What you say in counselling stays confidential. Professionals only have to act if a child is in danger. They usually talk to you about it first.
What does counselling cost?
At most counselling centres, nothing. You can give them money voluntarily, and it makes no difference to your counselling. Independent counsellors charge a sliding-scale fee: the first session is free, after that you pay 60, 90 or 120 euros after each session and choose the amount yourself. Each counsellor profile shows what applies.
How anonymous am I really?
On the platform, people only know you by your pseudonym. An email address for reminders is optional. During a video session, the video service sees technical data such as your IP address. If you give the centre money, it sees the name on your card. The platform always tells you about this beforehand.
Who will counsel me?
Professionals from counselling centres or in private practice. They come from social work, education, psychology or a similar profession. Their qualifications are checked before approval. Each counsellor profile shows how the person works.
How quickly will I get a reply?
There is no fixed response time. Your counsellor replies as soon as they can. You book a fixed appointment directly on the counsellor profile. The platform is not an emergency service. If you are in acute distress, call the Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line) or, in an emergency, 112.
Which languages can I get counselling in?
That depends on the counsellors. Right now counselling is available in German. In the directory you can filter by language.
Do I have to start with a video session?
No. You can also write first. Messages go back and forth in your room, without a fixed appointment. What else a counsellor offers is shown on their counsellor profile.
Family counselling is your field?
Counselling centres and professionals in private practice get their own page here, appointment booking and a separate room with video and whiteboard for each client. All for €15 per counsellor per month.
If things are too much right now
This platform is not an emergency service. If you don't know what to do any more or are thinking about suicide, call now. Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line), free and day and night: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222. In an emergency: 112.
For parents: Elterntelefon of Nummer gegen Kummer (German helpline for parents), free and anonymous, 0800 111 0 550.
For children and young people: Nummer gegen Kummer (German helpline for children and young people), 116 111.