Working as a psychologist in Germany

Hi guys,

I need some information concerning the job market for psychologists in Germany. How does it work here for a person newly graduated in Psychology? Is he/she to perform some more years (in Italy there are 4 years) for gettin' the so-called "license for Psycotherapist"? Any of you have info or experience about the job market for psychologists? Is there a request for psychologics services? Is there a national register for psychologists?

Thanks in advance!!
Pietro

Pietro,
the competition is stiff and complicated by the fact that any "real" psychologist is a "Diplom-Psycholog". A bachelor's degree just doesn't cut it, especially as far as the 'kasse are concerned.
Working privarely as a psychotherapist is always an option tho'

Thank you Plastic,
it sounds as the same as in Italy...very stiff!

Cheers
Pietro

ought to be a growth market though I should think

Why do u think so?

I have no scientific evidence for it, so its just a guess by me - but seeking such advice 'seems' to be becoming a more common action in my opinion (not specifically for Germany though - most of the 'western' world I would say)

As I understand, you need to do several years more of study after receiving a Diplom in psychology to practice psychotherapy on adults and be able to charge insurance companies.

If you've studied Paedagogik, you can study for several more years to become a therapist for children and adolsecents and be able to charge insurance companies.

You can't do this at a normal university as far as I know, you have to go to a private institute to do it and it will cost you a pretty penny.

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in America and recently relocated to Munich for my husband's work. I'm wondering if there is any way that I could work as a psychologist here? How does one receive a license in Germany? Is there a website I can look at with criteria and information? Thanks for any info.

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Depends what area you are in.

I know there is a big queue/demand for English speaking psychos :-) amongst the International schools here (testing and therapy). There is always a need for marriage-counselling etc.

As with all things German you probably have to jump through a few hoops to be "recognised" in Municha as a practising psycho but that is just my opinion...

In order to practice as a psychotherapist and to carry the protected title "psychotherapeut", you must have an approbation. This involves several more years of study (beyond a degree as Diplom Psychologe or other) plus about 1800 hours of practical work (1200 hrs of this in a psychiatric hospital). You must also complete 150 hours of supervised therapy, and go through a few hundred hours of therapy yourself. After all this, you can take a test to receive your approbation, which will allow you to take all patients, private and state-insured.

If you want to cut the process shorter, you can become a Heilpraktiker in psychology, which involves an additional education which is shorter and less rigorous (I think about 2 years?), however, you can only accept private insurance and you may not use the protected titles "Psychologischer Psychotherapeut" (for adults) or "Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeut" (for children up to age 21). I am not sure, but I think one may be able to just take a test to acquire the title "Heilpraktiker für Psychologie".

If you're looking for a therapist, you can be assured that someone with the title "Psychologischer Psychotherapeut" (for adults) or "Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeut" (for children up to age 21) will have had the most extensive training.