Psychosocial counselling centres and social psychiatric services include counselling services for, family issues, women's issues, and topics related to education, life or addiction issues. Social psychiatric institutions are easily accessible services for short-term crises and problems. They include:

• Psychosocial Counselling (PSC) by the Studentenwerk
• Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic for Students of the University of Göttingen
• Healthy Campus Mental Health
• TelefonSeelsorge

These service providers usually do not offer treatment programs but provide advise and emotional support for those seeking help until a treatment program can be found. In addition, psychosocial counselling centres and social psychiatric services are self-financed, so that counselling services are provided at minimal cost or free of charge. The use of these services is often not not covered by health insurance providers.

Psychological psychotherapists are licensed psychologists who have completed additional training as psychotherapists. They are able to identify psychological disorders through targeted conversations and treat them using various methods and therapy approaches (e.g. behavioural therapy, deep psychological or analytical psychotherapy).

This therapy is covered under statutory health insurance. Whether these costs are also covered by private health providers depends on the insurance contract. It is advisable to consult the health insurance company before starting therapy to ensure that the costs are covered.

Medical psychotherapists are licensed physicians with psychotherapeutic or psychiatric specialist training or additional training in psychotherapy. In contrast to psychological psychotherapists, they address physical and biological causes of illness and can also prescribe medication.

Treatment is covered by statutory health insurance. Whether the costs incurred are also covered by private health insurance depends on the insurance contract. It is advisable to consult the health insurance company before starting treatment and to ensure that the costs are covered.

In addition to licensed doctors and psychotherapists, psychotherapists offer their services according to the Heilpraktikergesetz. As a rule, they have not completed any medical or psychological studies, but have completed further training as alternative practitioners.

The training and examination curricula are not legally defined, so that they differ considerably in quality and scope. Due to a lack of standards and quality assurance mechanisms, careful examination of qualifications and expertise is recommended when choosing a non-medical practitioner.

Psychotherapists who work according to the Heilpraktikergesetz are not allowed to treat severe mental illnesses. They are obliged to refer patients suffering from such illnesses to licensed doctors or psychological psychotherapists.

Psychotherapists who work according to the Heilpraktikergesetz (Heilpraktikergesetz - Heilpraktiker Act) usually offer help and advice concerning life crises, marriage or relationship problems or questions about personal or professional development (coaching).

Psychotherapists who work according to the Heilpraktikergesetz (Heilpraktikergesetz - Heilpraktiker Act) cannot bill their services to the statutory health insurance. The treatment must be paid for by the patient directly. Some private health insurance companies cover the costs; this also depends on the insurance contract and requires clarification with the health insurance company.