Depth-psychologically based and analytic psychotherapy (German statutory forms)

Domain I · Psychodynamic & depth psychology · Germany

What it is

TP and AP are two separate statutory treatment forms (Richtlinienverfahren) under the umbrella of "psychoanalytically based procedures" (§ 16 PT-RL). Each has its own definition, contingent, application route and technique. Neither is a single manual. Each is defined at procedure level in…

Format

• Session length: 50 min (double session 100 min); group units are 50 min, usually held as 100-min double units (§ 28). § 28(5) allows 25-min units for some TP forms; check the exact scope in the RL text.
• Individual + group: these may be combined within one procedure under a Gesamtbehandlungsplan set before treatment begins (§ 22). TP and AP may not be combined with VT or ST (§ 19).

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• Übende/suggestive techniques: the RL text restricts combining these with TP/AP (§§ 16(1), 26(1) as summarised to me). Wöller & Kruse describe TP as able to integrate cognitive, educational and suggestive elements. Check the current RL wording before adding hypnosis or autogenic training.

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• How do you and the practitioner understand what is happening, in spiritual or cultural terms? Is that a source of comfort, worry, or both?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• the patient catches the pattern in real time between sessions.
• in TP, deep symbol work can foster regression; keep it near the focus.
• stay out of blame of parents; the aim is understanding, not indictment.
• clarifying can become endless questioning. Move on once the picture is clear.
• the patient brings material spontaneously and refers back to previous sessions.

Problems the guide addresses

• Stuck therapy (stagnation, no movement on the focus)
• Resistance
• Overwhelm and malignant regression
• Non-adherence: missed sessions, lateness, payment, between-session contact
• Alliance ruptures
• Erotic or idealising transference
• Negative therapeutic reaction (worsening after progress)
• Suicidality and acute crisis
• Contingent and Gutachter problems
• Modality drift: TP turning into "mini-analysis", or AP becoming supportive chat

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.