Who is allowed to provide Gestalt therapy?

That depends on whether medical practice is being carried out. According to the Alternative Medicine Practitioners Act, medical practice is defined as any professional or commercial activity aimed at diagnosing, curing, or alleviating illnesses, ailments, or physical injuries in humans. Anyone who practices medicine must have a license to practice as a psychotherapist or physician, or a license as a non-medical practitioner. Since a 1993 ruling by the Federal Administrative Court, this license may also be limited to psychotherapy. A medical license and a license to practice alternative medicine answer only the first of three questions: whether someone is permitted to practice medicine. The second question is whether the person has been trained in Gestalt therapy, and the third is whether health insurance covers the treatment. A separate page explains, What a Gestalt therapist does.

Consulting, Coaching, Supervision

No license is required outside the field of medicine. According to the Psychotherapist Act, activities that merely address social conflicts or serve other purposes outside the field of medicine are not considered psychotherapy. Counseling, coaching, and supervision can therefore utilize the Gestalt approach as long as they do not diagnose, cure, or alleviate illnesses. In the 2010 Synergetik Ruling by the Federal Administrative Court A method was presented as a substitute for medical treatment. In determining whether it could deter patients from seeking necessary treatment, the court based its assessment primarily on the illnesses being treated, the patients’ expectations, and the external impression created by the method’s self-presentation. An information sheet stating that no medical practice was being conducted did not eliminate this risk.

The page shows the comparison Consultant or alternative practitioner.

Permission and Gestalt training are two separate issues

A license to practice medicine does not, in and of itself, demonstrate training in Gestalt therapy. Therefore, be sure to ask about the specific continuing education, practical experience, and the scope of services offered. What you should look for when Qualification "Being able to examine" is a key aspect of Gestalt therapy methods.

According to the regulations, the examination conducted by the public health department serves as the basis for the naturopath license. Guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Health safety. According to these regulations, alternative practitioners must limit themselves to activities they are confident in performing. Neither the Implementing Regulation to the Alternative Practitioners Act nor the guidelines require any specific training. The licensing requirement and professional competence address different issues.

The Psychotherapist Act requires licensed psychotherapists to use scientifically validated and recognized procedures or methods. According to a 2009 ruling by the Federal Administrative Court, physicians may claim greater freedom in their therapeutic practice. In 2018, the Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy granted recognition for Gestalt therapy only for the treatment of affective disorders in adults. The laws mentioned do not explicitly state what this implies for treatment. According to the Model Code of Professional Conduct—the template provided by the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists—psychotherapists may not provide treatment if they determine that they are not qualified or trained for the specific task at hand. The code of professional conduct of the respective state chamber is binding.

How to Tell What Someone Is Allowed to Do

Each piece of evidence answers only one of the three questions.

• Medical License As a psychotherapist or physician: It indicates state authorization to practice medical psychotherapy. It does not indicate training in Gestalt therapy.
• License to Practice Alternative Medicine: It indicates that the authority has issued it, usually after a review; in the case of psychotherapy, it is sometimes issued based on the case file. It does not indicate training in Gestalt therapy.
• Degree from a Gestalt Institute: He mentions continuing education. Ask about the number of hours and the course components. He does not show a medical license.
• Membership in the German Association for Gestalt Therapy (DVG): The Implementing Regulations of the DVG For full members, the association specifies a minimum of 1,450 hours of continuing education for Gestalt therapists and 455 hours for Gestalt counselors. There are also supporting members. Membership does not replace a state license.

„Gestalt therapist“ is not a protected title and therefore says nothing about licensing: The Criminal Code protects, among other titles, „psychotherapist.“ According to Section 5 of the Unfair Competition Act Any statements regarding qualifications, licenses, or memberships that are false or likely to mislead are considered misleading.

What the health insurance provider says about this

Statutory health insurance does not cover Gestalt therapy as outpatient psychotherapy. The Psychotherapy Guidelines lists them in its appendix among the therapies that cannot be applied because they do not meet the requirements. The page comparing Gestalt therapy and behavioral therapy also explains reimbursement by the Health Insurance.

I am a licensed psychotherapist. I completed my Gestalt training at the Therapeutic Institute Berlin from 2000 to 2004. I offer online psychological counseling; this does not include the diagnosis or treatment of mental illnesses. This counseling is not a substitute for necessary psychotherapy.