Psychotherapy Science Department

Studying Psychotherapy Science 

Sigmund Freud University is the first institution in continental Europe to offer a full study programme in psychotherapy science, a consecutive course of studies combining research and teaching and imparting theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Individual support, dialogue with the teaching staff and a guaranteed high level of practical relevance stand for an excellent study programme. Our dedicated training team will guide you “on the couch”, in the lectures, as well as in our university outpatient clinic.
Our psychotherapy science studies provides the first university-based, theoretical-scientific and practice-oriented preparation for the profession of psychotherapist in Europe. The 5-year consecutive study programme is the first to place psychotherapy as a profession AND science at the centre of a fully comprehensive academic education (Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctorate / Habilitation). Through the academisation of psychotherapy as a genuine individual science, the fundamental representation of the 4 basic orientations (method pluralism) in the study programme and the integration of university teaching, practical activity, personal development, ethics and diversity are established in the new training structures.

The training, which is also new for Germany, establishes a relevant and specific five-year university course of study in psychotherapy, which is divided into a three-year Bachelor’s and a two-year Master’s degree course – in accordance with Bologna guidelines – and ends with a nationally standardised state exam. The Psychotherapists Act II came into force in the winter semester 2020/21. The specialist training that follows the licence to practise is regulated by the respective Länder law and is administered within the framework of a further training regulation (WBO), which the German Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists is in charge of developing. “Psychotherapists in further training (PiW)” then no longer complete a training course as assistant psychotherapists, but are remunerated according to the collective agreement within the framework of at least five years of further training in inpatient, day-care, outpatient and preventive contexts.
With the further training, the specialist qualification (in the guideline procedure of behavioural therapy, depth psychology-based psychotherapy, analytical psychotherapy or, more recently, systemic therapy, which is now recognised under social law) is acquired, the protected professional title of “psychotherapist” can be used in order to be entered in the register of doctors at the responsible Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the state and thus to obtain the authorisation under social law and to apply to the Association for a licence for independent establishment as a contractual psychotherapist in statutory health care.