I’m Katarina Stoltz, an English
speaking psychotherapist in Berlin
helping international
professionals live a lighter life

I don’t work weekends, but I offer a few evening slots.

Yes, I only offer weekly appointments. We will establish a regular weekly schedule and can make adjustments if your appointment falls during a holiday period. Once clients ‘graduate’ from therapy, many consider their therapist as another tool in their health toolbox that they can access when the need arises, and check in when they feel it’s necessary.

No prior personal development work is necessary, but you do need to have an interest in understanding your own thoughts, feelings and behaviour better, as well as a willingness to recognize how you might be blocking your own growth.

Through psychotherapy, you will become aware of how your negative thought patterns and behaviors are blocking your self-awareness and making you unhappy. You will learn how your emotional and physical self are connected so you can relieve emotional distress and physical pain in your everyday life.

There are lots of very good therapists out there doing all types of therapy. However, studies show that more important than the type of therapy, the therapeutic relationship that develops between the therapist and client is the biggest indicator of client success. In other words, there needs to be a “good fit”.

Another thing to consider is how much experience the therapist has in the area you need help with.

During our first session I ask you what your goal is for being in therapy, but I don’t have an agenda I follow. I simply go with the process and look at what’s happening in your life right now. Sometimes I suggest creative ways of looking at a situation and introduce props or role play activities.

Life coaching and psychotherapy are both wonderful tools for personal development. They both help you understand yourself better and they both have therapeutic potential—but they differ in focus and approach.

In short, the main difference between life coaching and psychotherapy is that life coaching focuses on unlocking potential, achieving life objectives and taking steps towards a fulfilling personal and professional life, while psychotherapy focuses on treating mental health conditions such as trauma, dysfunction, anxiety, depression, panic attacks and burnout. You can read more about the differences here.

The terms ‘counselor’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are often used interchangeably and have many similarities, but there are some important differences as well. In general, counseling is recommended for specific issues and situations, such as addiction or grief, and takes place over a few weeks to several months.

Psychotherapy, in contrast, tends to explore past issues that might be contributing to present day problems. It often takes place continually or intermittently over a period of several months to a couple of years. In actual practice, however, there is a great deal of overlap between the two types of therapies.

Technically speaking, ‘counselor’ means ‘advisor’. It involves two people working together to solve a problem.

‘Psychotherapy’ on the other hand is generally a longer-term treatment that focuses more on gaining insight into chronic physical and emotional problems. Its focus is on the person’s thought processes, and how these may be influenced by past events such that they cause problems in the present.

I can’t promise you that you’ll have the outcome you want. Why? Because the success depends on many factors including how willing you are to understand yourself better, if we are a good fit as a client and therapist and, where you are in your life when you decide to start therapy.

No, I don’t offer online therapy. Though I do make an exception for existing clients who are travelling for an extended time period and need support, or for clients who for whatever reason can’t leave their home.

Yes, I offer a free, 30-minute online consultation where you have the chance to share what you want to work on, and I will give you an idea if I think we can work together. If we both decide it’s a good fit, we can book an introductory session. After that, we decide together if we will start regular therapy sessions.

That varies from client to client, some people feel the impact after just a few weeks, with others it takes a few months.

Every client has different needs for the amount of time they will be seeing a therapist. Most of my clients stay at least 6 months.

That depends on you. If you’re unsure if now is the right time, book a consultation and I will help you make a decision.

You can’t know before you try it. I invite you to read more about Gestalt therapy to get an idea about what to expect. After 4 to 5 sessions, you will most likely know if what I offer is for you.

You are not signing a contract for a certain number of sessions. You can stop the therapy whenever you want. What I ask from you is that you let me know in advance, so that we can have another 1 to 2 sessions to finish the work we have started together.

I will send you an invoice for the sessions at the end of each month.

Gestalt therapy is not covered by public health insurance, but some private or international insurers will cover it, so do check with your own insurer.