What is the Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie (HP PT)?

Advantages

Therapists valuing methodological freedom (e.g., those using niche or non-standardized approaches) often prefer Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie status. The IPU MA in Psychology qualifies you as a (clinical) Psychologist. The Heilpraktiker license may be for you, if:

• you want to practice therapy approaches outside Germany's insurance-approved methods.
• you are not eligible for Approbation and training as a Psychologischer Psychotherapeut, eligible to work autonomously under statutory health insurance.
• you would like to work with international clients in another language than German.
• you want to work as a freelancer and take advantage of tax benefits available only to healthcare professionals (such as exemption from VAT)

Limitations:

• Work as a Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie is not covered by german public health insurance: Your income as a HP f. PT comes from clients who pay out of pocket and, in some cases, from private insurance companies. German statutory health insurance generally does not cover Heilpraktiker services.
• Variable training quality: Although your IPU Master’s degree may be sufficent to obtain the Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie license, we strongly recommend that you take additional advanced training in therapeutic methods. However, be sure to check the quality of these programs yourself, as they are not subject to external regulation.

While the Berlin health authorities (Gesundheitsämter) provide general information online, many aspects of the process remain unclear and are handled on a case-by-case basis. The admissions process is often less demanding for graduates with a master's degree in psychology; in many cases, the entrance exam is even skipped. We gathered information about the procedure to get the Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie license - beyond the information provided on the websites of the Berlin Gesundheitsamt. 
Here’s what you need to know:
 

1. Before Application

• Early planning: If you study the IPU Psychology master's program, consider completing your mandatory internships in a Berlin institution that is actively involved in the local psychiatric support system.
• Get your certificates in German. Obtain your IPU degree certificates and transcript of record in German. The IPU Studies and Teaching Office will be happy to issue them in German upon request. Have your bachelor's degree certificates certified and translated into German. In many cases, the IPU International Office may cover the cost of translation - just ask.
• Learn German: While you do not have to be perfectly fluent in German, the Gesundheitsamt will assess whether your knowledge of German is sufficient to transfer a patient in critical condition to other healthcare professionals. To be sure, we recommend taking a psychology focussed DaF-Course at IPU.

2. Application Process (Psychology M.A. degree)

• Expect a Case-by-case evaluation: With a degree in Psychology, you will be asked to submit all your degrees, certificates, transcripts of record and all internship records both from your bachelor's and master's programs for review. The Gesundheitsamt focuses on if your degree had a clinical focus (which the IPU MA Psychology clearly has).
• Key criteria:
  • Clinical internships in psychiatries in Germany or rather Berlin are highly valued. The Gesundheitsamt considers this sufficient that you are familiar with German psychiatric law and system. If your mandatory clinical internship were abroad, the office may request additional proof of knowledge (e.g., oral/written exams or extra courses). Don't worry, there are courses on legal studies for Heilpraktiker that you can take separately. Email us for recommendations.
  • Must-know topics: Differences between Psychiater, Psychologischer Psychotherapeut, Psychologe and Heilpraktiker; Coverage of treatments by public health insurance; legal procedures for involuntary hospitalization (Unterbringungsrecht), risk assessment, and roles of involved authorities (e.g., SpDi, court orders).
• Language check: No B2 certificate required, but the office may make a spontaneous phone call to informally assess your German proficiency.
• Costs: ~€400 for the whole process.

2. Important Conditions

• As a freelancing Psychology Master graduate without Heilpraktiker license, you are not allowed use terms like Therapie or Psychotherapie in your offerings. Your are not allowed to diagnose or treat mental health disorders in private practice. 
• You can, however, offer counseling under terms like: (Psychosoziale) Beratung, Unterstützung, Prozessbegleitung, Counseling, Psychosocial Counseling, Coaching, Consulting, Supporting.
• Freelancer status: Required to practice as an Heilpraktiker in Germany (registration guide). 
• We recommend that you purchase professional liability insurance.

While the MA Psychology degree is the most universal psychology master’s degree in Germany, with profound clinical and other competences, the Gesundheitsamt is very careful to check the applicant’s knowledge about legal rules surrounding the treatment of patients in Germany. See Point 1.1.1 of the Leitlinien https://www.berlin.de/ba-lichtenberg/auf-einen-blick/buergerservice/gesundheit/leitlinien-zur-ueberpruefung-von-heilpraktikeranwaerter-vom-07-12-2017.pdf?ts=1747656994 (in German).