Benefits & Details for Self-Payers

Advantages of paying for psychotherapy yourself

Paying for psychotherapy out of pocket offers a wide range of benefits. One of the main reasons for self-payment is to receive help within a reasonable time frame during periods when publicly funded therapy slots are scarce. Another key advantage relates to the increasing and lifelong storage and sharing of our health data between doctors, health insurers, and other parties, which has become largely opaque to most people. By paying privately, it is possible to avoid these mechanisms and undergo psychotherapy as if it had never taken place.

 

Here are some further benefits you can expect as a private-paying client:

⇨ Benefits of psychotherapy as a self-paying patient:

• Fast access: Therapy or counseling/acute help can begin immediately without detours.

• Freedom of choice: You can freely choose a therapist who fits your needs.

• Full control: You decide the type and duration of therapy — as long as you want, no longer than necessary.

• Complete discretion and independence: No insurance company or other institution will know about or interfere in your treatment.

• No waiting periods: The usual 2-year waiting period that applies to public insurance patients after completed or discontinued therapy does not apply.

• Focus on what matters: No bureaucracy such as applications, forms, or expert reports.

• Continuity: Many clients appreciate the ability to return for short-notice sessions in the future if needed.

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How much does the whole psychotherapy cost?

The answer to this frequently asked question largely depends on the duration of therapy required. This varies greatly from person to person and can range from just a few sessions (e.g., acute treatment) to several dozen sessions (long-term therapy). Without being able to estimate the exact time needed, it is unfortunately not possible to provide a reliable or even roughly accurate upfront estimate of the therapy costs.

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Is psychotherapy tax-deductible?

In principle, the out-of-pocket costs for psychotherapy can be claimed as extraordinary expenses under § 33 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG). However, there are significant limitations: First, the deductible threshold for reasonable expenses must be exceeded in the tax declaration. Second, the tax office requires an official medical certificate or confirmation from the Medical Service before treatment begins. This requirement effectively undermines the possibility of undergoing psychotherapy discreetly and outside institutional scrutiny. The emotional strain this can place on individuals seeking help should not be underestimated.

In some cases where psychological problems are significantly or causally related to professional developments, it may also be worth considering professional coaching instead of psychotherapy. Coaching can often be tax-deductible.

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