What is the Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie (HP PT)?

Who Chooses This Path?

Therapists valuing methodological freedom (e.g., those using niche or non-standardized approaches) often prefer HP PT status over the restrictive PPT system. The IPU MA in Psychology qualifies you as a (clinical) Psychologist. The additional HP f. PT license may appeal if:

• You practice therapy approaches outside Germany's insurance-approved methods
• You are not eligible for Approbation as Psychologischer Psychotherapeut
• You would like to work with international clients in another language than German

 

Limitations:

• Work as a HP f. PT 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 services provided by HP f. PT.
• Variable training quality: Although your IPU Master’s degree is enough to get the HP f. PT-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.

We have 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. Application Process (Psychology M.A. degree)

• Get German-language certificates. Obtain your transcript of record and your IPU degree certificates 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!

• 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). 
  • Must-know topics: Differences between Psychiater, Psychologischer Psychotherapeut, and HP PT; 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: No B2 certificate required, but the office may make a spontaneous phone call to informally assess your German proficiency.

 

2. Important Conditions

• As a Psychologist without HP f. PT-license, you cannot 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.
• Costs: ~€400 for the whole process.
• Freelancer status: Required to practice as an HP PT in Germany (registration guide).
• You should consider taking out a liability insurance for healthcare professionals.

 

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).

• Early planning: If you just start your IPU Psychology master's program, consider completing your mandatory internships in a Berlin institution that is actively involved in the local psychiatric support system.
• Compile documents (transcripts of record for your degrees in german, proofs of your mandatory internships and written evaluations - including your experience with procedures of the Berlin PsychKG, if applicable).
• Review Unterbringungsrecht (Mental Health Act, PsychKG and Berlin specifics, clinical guidelines).
• Consider a Heilpraktiker prep course (especially if your mandatory internships were abroad)
• Be prepared for the health authority to contact you by phone for an initial German proficiency check