General information on the legal basis for training and practicing psychotherapy
The Master's degree program in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy is aimed at graduates of the relevant (polyvalent) psychological bachelor's degree program and offers them the opportunity to acquire the necessary professional qualifications for licensure as a psychotherapist. All modules and courses are specifically designed to fully meet the requirements of the licensing regulations for psychotherapists (PsychThApprO).
The legal basis for the training and practice of psychotherapy is anchored in various closely interlinked regulations. These include, in particular, the Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG), the psychotherapy guidelines of the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA), the psychotherapy agreement and the regulations of the psychotherapist chambers of the respective federal states.
The Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG)
Since 1999, the Psychotherapists Act has regulated the professional practice of non-medical psychotherapists and forms the legal basis for training and licensing as a psychological psychotherapist and child and adolescent psychotherapist. With the legal reform of September 1, 2020, psychotherapy training was comprehensively restructured: instead of the previous combination of studies and several years of practical training, a direct course of study with subsequent, regulated further training was introduced.
The psychotherapy guideline
The Psychotherapy Guideline, issued by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), supplements the Psychotherapists Act. It determines which psychotherapeutic procedures and methods are recognized and reimbursed by statutory health insurance. The guideline therefore plays a central role in the care of patients and in the billing of psychotherapeutic services. The content defined in the guideline also largely determines the framework for further training after licensure.
The psychotherapy agreement
The psychotherapy agreement specifies the psychotherapy guideline and regulates practical details of psychotherapeutic care. It is agreed between the health insurance funds and the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVs) and specifies the requirements that psychotherapists must fulfill in order to be allowed to participate in SHI-accredited medical care. The focus here is on aspects such as billing modalities, documentation obligations and the implementation of psychotherapeutic consultation hours. This agreement is particularly important for licensed psychotherapists who wish to open their own practice or work in an existing practice after completing their further training.
The Chamber of Psychotherapists
Chambers of psychotherapists play a key role in professional self-administration. They monitor the practice of the profession, promote further education and training and represent the professional interests of psychotherapists at a political level. In addition, they advise their members on professional law and ethical issues and ensure compliance with high quality standards in psychotherapeutic care. Through their advisory function vis-à-vis political decision-makers, the chambers actively contribute to the further development of the legal framework and thus play a decisive role in shaping the future of the profession.