Academics – Psychotherapy Science

Admission is not based on a numerus clausus (NC), which primarily takes school grades into account, but rather on a qualitative admissions process: two interviews with experienced psychotherapists, as well as a one-day group seminar, are designed to enable candidates to clarify their motivation and to convey the prerequisites for studying psychotherapy science.

After the first four general semesters, the methodological focus will be on psychoanalysis or behavioural therapy; further school-specific specialisations such as person-centred psychotherapy, systemic psychotherapy or Gestalt therapy are currently being developed. In our training programme, we follow a pluralistic methodological model that allows students to ‘look beyond their own discipline’ as early as the Bachelor’s degree. Please also read our press release on this topic.

Information on the possibility of qualifying as a psychotherapist: The five-year, consecutive direct degree programme in Psychotherapy Science at SFU Berlin has been officially recognised as fulfilling both the necessary academic requirements and the EU professional law requirements for applying for a licence to practise as a psychotherapist at the relevant State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo Berlin). This means that graduates of the programme who have completed the entire course of study in Psychotherapy Science are, in principle, entitled to apply for a German licence to practise in accordance with Section 12 of the Psychotherapy Act (PsychThG) (under the new federal law). A licence to practise in Berlin is then also valid in all other federal states.

Professor Georg Franzen, Head of the Department of Psychotherapy Science (PTW), on the degree programme:

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The benefits for you

What makes the Psychotherapy Studies programme at SFU Berlin stand out?

  • Committed teaching and research
  • Practical focus from the first semester at SFU
  • Personalised support
  • Small-group learning
  • Personal contact with lecturers
  • Early involvement in research projects

Find out more at one of our online information evenings on the psychotherapy degree programme

The psychotherapy degree programme at SFU Berlin is based on the Act on the Reform of Psychotherapist Training (PsychThG) of 15 November 2019, in particular the implementing provisions under Section 12 of the PsychThG and Section 62 of the Licensing Regulations (PsychTHApprO) of 14 February 2020.

Structure and completion of the degree programme in Psychotherapy Science
A) Key theoretical topics

A1) Theory from the basic sciences

Related modules:
Fundamentals of Psychology
Fundamentals of Medicine

A2) Theoretical concepts in psychotherapy

Related modules:
Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy

A3) Clinical Concepts in Psychotherapy

Related modules:
Praxeology

A4) Methodology

Related modules:
Methodology

A5) Legal and social frameworks for professional practice, teaching and research

Related modules:
Social sciences and frameworks

B) Practice-oriented key topics

B1) On personal development:

Related module:
Personal development

B2) On the clinical application of psychotherapy – acquiring and testing practical skills

The acquisition of progressively structured practical knowledge forms another important part of the degree programme. The practical component must be completed by students externally at a health or social care organisation.

For the ‘Psychotherapy’ specialisation, this placement must be undertaken and reflected upon using a chosen psychotherapy method.

Guidelines for the external placement:
The placement must be undertaken at a health and social care organisation.

The selection of organisations is based on the list for the psychotherapeutic propaedeutic course published by the Federal Ministry of Health; alternatively, organisations affiliated with the private university’s cooperation partners are also available.

Academic degrees and duration of study

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