Psychotherapy in Düsseldorf: how to find a therapy place

How long is the wait for therapy in Düsseldorf?

No waiting time has been published for Düsseldorf alone. The waiting-time study of the German Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK) still shows roughly where the city stands: in North Rhine-Westphalia it took 5.7 weeks on average to get a consultation and 23.1 weeks until psychotherapy began. Large cities nationwide were a little faster, while the nearby Ruhr area was much slower at 29.4 weeks¹.

According to the needs planning of the KV Nordrhein, Düsseldorf’s supply level (Versorgungsgrad) is 143 per cent, compared with 206 per cent in Cologne. By this measure, Düsseldorf is clearly less well equipped than its neighbour. Even so, no new insurance-funded practices are being added, because the planning area counts as oversupplied and is closed². The NRW Chamber of Psychotherapists considers the planning figures too low because they are based on the situation in 1999³.

Three searches that complement each other

You do not need a referral for the consultation⁴. To avoid finding the same practices three times and missing others, it helps to know what each search shows⁷:

1. KV Nordrhein practice searchAt patienten.kvno.de/praxissuche you search around your address. It lists practices with and without a statutory insurance licence, and you can filter by method, gender, therapy languages and accessibility.
2. 116117 psychotherapy searchIt shows only practices that bill statutory insurance. After searching you can filter by method, age group and individual or group therapy.
3. DGPT directoryFor psychoanalytically based methods, the German Society for Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Depth Psychology has its own search, including by treatment language.

At the same time, book a consultation via 116117. In the North Rhine region the appointment service is available around the clock. It offers you an appointment within one week, four weeks at the latest, but cannot book a specific practice. If it cannot find an appointment, it refers you to a hospital outpatient clinic⁶. If the PTV 11 form from the consultation says treatment is needed promptly, 116117 uses the code on it to arrange acute treatment or probatory sessions⁵⁶.

Before you call: your checklist

Many practices can only be reached during fixed phone hours. If you are prepared, a short call is enough:

1. Two sentences about your concernWhat is weighing on you, since when, and what would you like to change? You do not need to say more on the phone.
2. Have your insurance card and calendar readySo you can accept appointments straight away and name your insurer.
3. Know your availabilityThink in advance about when you can come and whether you could step in at short notice. Flexible patients often move up waiting lists faster.
4. Keep a listPractice, date, time, answer and the waiting time you were given. It helps you follow up and is your evidence if you later apply for reimbursement⁸.
5. Ask what happens nextIs there a waiting list? Should I get back in touch, and when? That way you know where you stand after every call.

Outpatient clinics at the university and the LVR hospital

Besides practices, outpatient clinics in Düsseldorf also treat patients through health insurance. The psychotherapeutic outpatient clinic of Heinrich Heine University offers cognitive behavioural therapy. Costs are covered by statutory and most private insurers, and you can reach it by phone Monday to Thursday 9 am–12 pm and 1–5 pm, Friday 9 am–1 pm⁹¹². The LVR hospital has, among others, a special clinic for depression and anxiety disorders and a psychosomatic outpatient clinic that also offers first appointments and crisis talks⁹¹⁰. Contact details are listed below.

When hospital care is needed: treatment at home

With home treatment equivalent to inpatient care (stationsäquivalente Behandlung, StäB), the LVR hospital in Düsseldorf offers an alternative to a hospital stay: a multidisciplinary team treats adults in an acute mental health crisis at home, with daily contact including weekends and availability around the clock. You need to live in Düsseldorf, no more than about 30 minutes from the hospital. StäB is not suitable if you are acutely suicidal. Statutory and private insurers cover the costs; contact is via 0211 922 3599¹¹.

No place covered by insurance? Reimbursement

If your search remains unsuccessful despite many enquiries, your insurer can pay for treatment in a private practice (§ 13(3) SGB V). The KV Nordrhein practice search lists such practices too⁷. For the application you need confirmation from the consultation that therapy is necessary and urgent, refusals from at least three to five practices that bill statutory insurance, and a private practice qualified in an approved method that can take you⁸. Agree the application with your insurer before treatment begins.

Therapy in English and other languages

In the KV Nordrhein practice search you can filter for therapy languages, and in the DGPT directory for treatment languages in psychoanalytic methods⁷. The LVR hospital in Düsseldorf also runs a transcultural outpatient clinic (phone 0211 922 4713, according to a 2021 flyer, please check before you go)¹⁰.

Where to turn in Düsseldorf

Outpatient clinics, counselling centres and services we compiled from publicly available sources and checked. Opening hours can change, so it is best to call ahead. Most services work in German.

Making good use of the waiting time

It often takes months for a therapy place to become free. You can already do something for yourself in that time: understand what keeps happening in your conflicts and try out small first steps. That is what we built MindMotion for.

Frequently asked questions