Psychotherapy in English

Looking for a therapist who understands you – in your own language? Welcome. Starting therapy is a big step, and doing so far from home, in a language that isn't your first, can feel like an extra hurdle. My practice offers a calm, confidential space where you can speak openly in English about what's on your mind, without the added effort of translating your thoughts along the way.

I work from a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) background, complemented by third-wave approaches such as DBT, IPT, and ACT. Together, we'll take time to understand what's troubling you and work step by step toward meaningful, lasting change. My approach is client-centered, individual, and research-based.

Procedures

Please reach out to me by email or phone to arrange a first appointment. In the initial consultation, we'll assess whether psychotherapy is indicated for your situation, get to know each other, and talk through how we might work together.

If we decide to move forward together, we'll begin with up to five trial sessions (probatorische Sitzungen). These are used for a thorough diagnostic assessment, therapy planning, and defining the goals we'll work toward. During this trial phase, if you would like your insurance to cover your therapy, the formal application for psychotherapy is submitted.

Once psychotherapy is granted by your insurance, sessions begin. We'll discuss together what frequency makes the most sense for your situation – weekly sessions are the most common arrangement, though this usually depends on your individual situation and wishes.

Fees

As a private practice, I offer a few different ways to make therapy accessible. How the trial sessions and ongoing therapy are billed depends on your situation:

• Self-pay: No application is needed — we can move straight from the initial consultation into trial sessions and, if it's a good fit, regular therapy.
• Private health insurance / Beihilfe: You'll receive an invoice based on the GOÄ/GOP fee schedule after each session, which you submit for reimbursement.
• Cost coverage in individual cases (Kostenerstattungsverfahren): If you're covered by statutory insurance and haven't found a timely therapy place in the standard system, the application submitted during the trial phase requests cost coverage with me as a private practitioner. I'm happy to support you through this — just get in touch and we'll go through it together.

If you're unsure which option fits your situation, feel free to reach out by email — I'll be glad to help you figure out the best path forward.

Differences Between Psychotherapy and Expat Coaching

In my practice, I also offer Expat Coaching — but it's not the same as psychotherapy, and it's worth knowing the difference.

Coaching typically focuses on practical adjustment: settling in, navigating a new culture, building routines. Psychotherapy, by contrast, is a licensed medical treatment for psychological distress, grounded in evidence-based methods and bound by professional and confidentiality standards.

Expat Coaching refers to supporting services for people and families who are living outside their native home because of work assignments. Coaching typically focuses on psychological stress related to living in a foreign country and is helpful for maintaining mental well-being and strengthening resilience. Coaching services will not be covered by your insurance. If you are interested in my Expat Coaching services, please visit Sarah-Eisenacher.com.

Get in touch