Crisis counselling online
Often free, always anonymous and whenever it suits you.
A loss, losing your job, a diagnosis, a shock: sometimes a lot falls away from one day to the next. Here you will find professionals who help you sort out the next few days and give you something to hold on to. Appointments are by arrangement. For acute distress, the Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line) is there day and night. A pseudonym is all you need.
Are you thinking about taking your own life right now? Then call now: Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line) 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222, free and day and night. In an emergency: 112.
In danger right now? Emergency number 112. Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line), day and night: 0800 111 0 111.
Does this sound familiar?
- Since that phone call, you are just getting by.
- You can hardly sleep, hardly eat and can't think clearly.
- Someone close to you has died.
- You have been through something terrible and it won't let go of you.
- Everything is getting on top of you right now.
In a crisis, body and mind react strongly. That is normal and shows how hard something has hit you. Together you find what gives you something to hold on to now.
What happens in counselling
A professional listens to you and helps you plan the next few days: what matters now, who can support you, what does you good. Later you look at how things go on and whether you need any other help. You decide the topic and the pace.
How it works
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an emergency service?
No. Appointments are by arrangement. If you are in acute danger or thinking about suicide, call 112 or the Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line) on 0800 111 0 111, day and night and free of charge.
What counts as a crisis?
Anything that is throwing you off course right now. That can be a loss, a separation, losing your job or something other people think is minor. What matters is how you feel about it.
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. 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.
Crisis 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.