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Psychotherapy

and

Coaching

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Behavioral Psychotherapy: Goals and procedures

 

In cognitive behavioral therapy, distressing and problematic thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns are identified and changed step by step. Together, we develop new strategies and solutions that can be directly applied to everyday life.

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are two modern, scientifically based therapeutic approaches from the behavioral therapy spectrum. Both support you in better understanding inner stressors and developing helpful ways of coping with them.

 

While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy places greater emphasis on identifying distressing patterns of thought and behaviour and replacing them with more helpful alternatives, ACT invites people to mindfully acknowledge unpleasant inner experiences while at the same time consistently aligning their lives with their personal values.

 

The method that takes center stage – classic CBT, ACT or a combination of both approaches – will be selected together with you according to your personal wishes and needs.

 

What distinguishes behavioral therapy from other psychotherapy methods?

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is present-focused and solution-oriented, meaning that it generally looks ahead. It focuses on current difficulties with the aim of developing practical, achievable solutions. Compared with other approaches, such as psychoanalysis, it places considerably less emphasis on an in-depth exploration of the past.

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A central principle is “helping people to help themselves”: the aim is to support you in regaining the ability to shape your life independently, without therapeutic support, as soon as possible.

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This does not mean that past experiences are disregarded. They are taken into account where they help explain current patterns or are relevant to processing distressing experiences—particularly traumatic experiences.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

​What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT—pronounced like the English phrase “to act”) is a modern behavioural therapy approach. It helps you develop a more flexible way of responding to inner difficulties and shape a life that is more closely aligned with your personal values. ACT is commonly described as part of the wider cognitive-behavioural therapy tradition and has an established evidence base across a range of psychological difficulties. 

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Core Principle: Acceptance Rather Than Struggle

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ACT is based on the idea that constantly fighting unpleasant thoughts and feelings can often create even more suffering. Rather than trying to make symptoms disappear, ACT helps you become more aware of inner experiences, approach them with greater kindness, and still do what matters to you in life.

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Mindful Awareness of Thoughts and Feelings

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In therapy, you practise observing thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations mindfully, without having to judge or change them immediately. Metaphors, imagery and brief exercises can help you gain distance from distressing cycles of rumination and become less controlled by them.

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Guided by Personal Values

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A central question in ACT is: “What truly matters to me in life?” Together, we explore your personal values—for example in relationships, work, health or personal development. On this basis, you plan specific steps to shape your life more closely in line with those values.

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Key Features of ACT

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ACT is:

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  • Experiential: It makes extensive use of practical exercises and mindfulness.

  • Values-based: The focus is on how you can live a life that feels meaningful and aligned with what matters to you.

  • Acceptance-oriented: Unpleasant experiences can be present without having to determine everything you do.

  • Action-oriented: The aim is to take meaningful action despite inner obstacles—this is the “commitment” element of ACT.​

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What Can ACT Help With?

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ACT is used for a wide range of psychological difficulties. These may include depressive symptoms, anxiety, rumination and self-criticism, stress and symptoms of exhaustion, chronic pain, traumatic experiences, and difficulties making decisions or actively shaping one’s life. The goal is to create greater inner flexibility and to live everyday life more consciously and self-determinedly.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched forms of psychotherapy. It combines work on thoughts (the cognitive component) with changes in behaviour (the behavioural component) to help reduce psychological distress in a sustainable way. CBT is a psychological treatment with a substantial evidence base and is used for a broad range of difficulties.

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Core Principle: The Connection Between Thoughts, Feelings and Actions

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CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, physical reactions and behaviour are closely interconnected. It is not only the situation itself, but above all the way a person interprets or evaluates that situation, that influences how they feel and how they act.

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Working with Thoughts

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In the cognitive part of therapy, you learn to become more aware of your automatic thoughts, beliefs and inner evaluations. Together, we explore which habitual ways of thinking may worsen your well-being and develop more realistic, helpful perspectives that can ease everyday life.

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Working with Behaviour

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Behaviour is learned—and can therefore also be changed. Therapy examines which behavioural patterns may maintain difficulties and which alternative strategies could be helpful to you. Step by step, you test new ways of behaving that can create greater stability, flexibility and quality of life.

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Key Features of CBT

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CBT is:

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  • Problem-focused: It addresses your current concerns and practical solutions.

  • Goal-oriented: Therapy goals are agreed together and reviewed regularly.

  • Transparent: The process and methods are explained clearly, allowing you to take an active role.

  • Focused on “helping you to help yourself”: You develop skills to support yourself more effectively over the long term.

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Like ACT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is used for a wide range of psychological difficulties. These include depressive symptoms, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, eating and sleep difficulties, trauma-related symptoms, stress-related difficulties, and challenges associated with living with chronic physical health conditions. Clinical guidance and research support CBT for many of these areas, including anxiety disorders, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The aim is always to improve your individual way of managing distress and challenges.

In an initial consultation, we can get a first impression of each other, and we will asses your current situation, goals and expectations.

 

It serves to get to know each other and to determine whether treatment is necessary and appropriate, and which form of therapy is suitable.

 

I work in my practice or online. Home visits are possible in exceptional cases.

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What are the therapy goals?

  • Alleviating acute psychological distress

 

  • Strengthening existing resources and coping strategies

 

  • Developing new abilities and practical skills

 

  • Addressing and working through past conflicts

 

  • Preventing relapse into unhelpful or destructive coping or problem-solving patterns

 

  • Learning new ways of dealing with negative thought patterns

 

  • Building positive and meaningful activities in everyday life

Coaching and consulting

Support in personal challenges and stressful situations

Psychological coaching and counselling can support you in navigating personal challenges, pressures and crises. Together, we clarify your conflicts or wishes for change, explore solutions that fit you, and develop a path that feels manageable and realistic for you.  Along the way, you can gain greater clarity, new options for action and, often, greater inner stability in dealing with everyday life.

Possible Topics

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  • Changes in behavioural patterns at work or in private life

  • Reflecting on and analysing patterns of response in stressful situations

  • Separation, loss or other significant changes in one’s personal life

  • Conflict in personal or professional settings

  • Lifestyle changes, for example as a result of new roles or life stages

  • Ambivalence in important decision-making or transition periods

  • Moving to a new and unfamiliar professional or personal environment (relocation)

  • Ongoing exhaustion, bullying or workplace conflict

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This list provides only examples of possible areas of focus.

You are welcome to bring your own individual concerns.

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