Die Wiener PraxisTherapy offerPsychotherapy
- Last update: 09/03/2026
Psychotherapy in Vienna
Psychotherapy is a scientifically founded method for treating psychological distress and disorders. It provides a safe environment to understand feelings, thoughts, and recurring patterns, and to develop new ways of acting.
In the Vienna practice, experienced psychotherapists accompany adults, couples, and groups personally, appreciatively, and on the basis of current scientific findings.
Understand
Difficult feelings, thoughts, and experiences are processed together and made understandable.
Change
New perspectives and helpful strategies step by step open up more room for maneuver.
Strengths
Personal resources, self-confidence, and emotional stability are sustainably promoted.
When psychotherapy can be helpful
Psychotherapy can provide relief and enable change during various psychological distresses, crises, and recurring difficulties in everyday life.
Fears & Panic
For anxiety disorders, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or persistent inner restlessness.
Depression & Exhaustion
For depression, withdrawal, lack of drive, burnout or feeling overwhelmed.
Relationships & Self-Worth
For conflicts, attachment issues, low self-esteem, or recurring relationship patterns.
Stress & Crisis
For acute crises, work-related stress, life changes, or difficult decisions.
Trauma & Loss
For traumatic experiences, separation, grief, or other stressful life events.
Body & Mind
For psychosomatic complaints, sleep problems, or persistent physical tension.
You don't need to know yet what support you need.
Our psychotherapists will help you classify your concern and work with you to find a suitable next step.
This is how the support begins
A diagnosis is not a prerequisite. In a Initial consultation let us clarify your concern, your expectations, and possible next steps.
Clarify concerns
At the beginning are your current situation, your questions, and what you would like to change.
Suitable accompaniment
Together, we will find a therapeutic approach and a person with whom you feel well cared for.
Duration & Scope
Duration and frequency depend on your concern, your stress level, and the jointly agreed-upon goals.
Find suitable psychotherapists in Vienna
Languages
Find psychotherapists who match your needs and language preferences. Use the search or select a language.
Psychotherapy: how it works, heals and developed in Vienna
How effective is psychotherapy?
Today, psychotherapy is considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for mental illness. Numerous controlled studies show that it can bring about significant and lasting improvements in a whole range of disorders. The therapy results are particularly convincing for depression, various anxiety disorders such as panic disorder or social phobia, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. Its effectiveness is also well documented for eating disorders - including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder - as well as for burnout syndrome and other stress-related complaints. Last but not least, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder also benefit noticeably from psychotherapeutic procedures, which often rely on a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and expository techniques.
Long-term effectiveness compared to medication
While psychotropic drugs often only alleviate symptoms in the short term, psychotherapy aims to understand and change the causes of psychological problems.
Long-term studies show that people who have undergone psychotherapy suffer fewer relapses than those who have only been treated with medication. Psychotherapy is often more effective than medication, particularly for depression and anxiety disorders.
What happens in the brain during psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy not only has an effect at the level of subjective experience - it also leaves measurable traces in the brain and hormone balance.
1. neurobiological changes in the brain
Modern imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) show several adaptations as soon as effective psychotherapy takes effect:
| Area / Process | Proven change | Concrete benefits for patients |
|---|---|---|
| Amygdala (fear center) | Reduced activity | Fewer anxiety and stress reactions |
| Prefrontal cortex | Increased activation and connectivity | Better emotion regulation and more rational decision-making processes |
| Neuronal plasticity | Increased formation of new synapses | Building healthy thought and behavior patterns |
Persistent psychological pressure is often accompanied by permanently elevated cortisol levels, which puts a strain on sleep, concentration and the cardiovascular system. Therapeutic discussions and methods can measurably normalize hormone levels:
| Parameters | Before the therapy | After successful therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Cortisol (typical daily average) | Increased (chronic stress response) | Significantly reduced → Less physical strain |
| Side effects | Sleep disorders, palpitations, lack of concentration | Improved sleep, stable heart rate, clearer thinking |
A central goal of any psychotherapy is to uncover rigid or harmful beliefs and replace them with helpful perspectives. This also changes the way feelings are processed and evaluated:
| Psychic mechanism | Therapeutic approach | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Negative automatic thoughts | Cognitive restructuring | More realistic assessments, more self-acceptance |
| Dysfunctional basic assumptions | Socratic dialog, schema work | More flexible beliefs, increased self-esteem |
| Emotion processing | Mindfulness and acceptance exercises | Better handling of intense feelings |
This combined effect on the brain, hormones and cognition makes it clear why psychotherapy makes a noticeable and measurable difference for many people.
How does psychotherapy „heal“?
| Mechanism | Description |
|---|---|
| Recognizing and understanding | Many psychological problems arise from unconscious conflicts or learned behaviors. Psychotherapy helps to make these conscious. |
| Emotional processing | Through the therapeutic process, suppressed or unprocessed emotions can become conscious and be integrated in a healing way. |
| Changing behavioral patterns | People learn to break through harmful patterns of thought and behavior and replace them with healthy alternatives. |
| New experience of relationships | In the therapeutic relationship, patients often experience a safe, appreciative and non-judgmental interaction for the first time, which can change old attachment patterns. |
Specialists for psychotherapy in Vienna
Psychotherapy and medication: When is what useful?
Whether psychotherapy, drug treatment or a combination of both is indicated always depends on the type and severity of the mental illness and the individual circumstances of the person affected.
When is psychotherapy useful?
Pure psychotherapeutic treatment is particularly recommended for mild to moderate symptoms. It shows particularly good results if the symptoms are closely related to stressful life events, if the problems are based on deeply rooted emotional or cognitive patterns or if a long-term and sustainable change in the way of thinking and experiencing is sought. In such situations, psychotherapy offers sufficient space to uncover causes, gain new insights and learn stable coping strategies step by step.
When is medication useful?
Psychotropic drugs come into play above all when the symptom burden is so high that talk therapy is initially not possible or cannot be sustained. The same applies to acute crises and exceptional circumstances, such as severe depression with suicidal thoughts or psychotic episodes in which the perception of reality is significantly disturbed. Medication can quickly alleviate suffering here, stabilize quality of life and thus create the prerequisites for benefiting from psychotherapeutic measures later on.
When does a combination of both make sense?
Very often, a combination of psychotherapy and drug support proves to be the optimal approach. This is particularly true for severe symptoms that make it difficult to start therapy, as well as for chronic or recurring illnesses. The medication provides short-term relief and restores the patient's ability to cope with everyday life, while psychotherapy aims to address the underlying causes and prevent relapses in the long term.
The history of psychotherapy - with a focus on Vienna
The history of psychotherapy - Vienna as a spiritual birthplace
Vienna is one of the most influential cities in modern psychotherapy. At the beginning of the 20th century, several pioneers came together here: Sigmund Freud founded psychoanalysis and drew attention to unconscious processes; Alfred Adler added a strongly social perspective with his individual psychology; Viktor Frankl focused on the question of meaning with logotherapy; later, the Vienna School of Depth Psychology developed these ideas further. This dense intellectual climate continues to shape the international psychotherapy landscape to this day.
Vienna as a center of psychotherapy today
Vienna continues to be a vibrant hub for education, research and care. University institutes and universities of applied sciences offer degree programs and outpatient clinics where clients receive therapy under supervision. Professional associations establish quality standards and promote exchange between the various schools. There are also numerous private practices and interdisciplinary facilities that cover a wide range of methods, from classic psychoanalysis and behavioral therapy to newer approaches such as schema therapy or EMDR. Thanks to regular congresses and further training courses, the city remains a magnet for both professionals and people looking for support.
Therapy options in Vienna - an overview
The care system offers several financing models that differ in terms of availability, share of own costs and waiting times:
| Form of supply | Financing / Costs | Typical features |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapy on a sickness certificate | Full cost coverage by social insurance (limited contingent places) | Waiting lists; application via doctor or health insurance form; nationwide since 2001 |
| Cost subsidy model | Client:in pays fee note (approx. € 80-120) Reimbursement by cashier (approx. € 28-40 per unit) | Short waiting times; free choice of therapist; highest density of offers |
| Private psychotherapy | Total costs to be borne by the client (fees agreed individually) | Immediate appointment allocation; often specialized procedures or multilingual setting |
| Therapeutic counseling centers | Free of charge or income-dependent symbol amounts | Non-profit organizations; temporary short-term offers; focus on crisis intervention |
Dr. Katrin Wippersberg is a multi-skilled psychoanalyst and psychotherapist who works with great empathy and extensive experience in the treatment of trauma, anxiety disorders and depression, as well as being a profound couples therapist.
Frequently asked questions & answers
The first step is a personal initial consultation. In this appointment, we will discuss your current concerns, clarify the general conditions of the therapy and determine together how we will proceed. This meeting gives you the opportunity to ask your questions and gain a first impression of how we will work together.
What is individual therapy?
Individual therapy is a confidential consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist that focuses on individual issues, stress or psychological complaints. The aim is to gain clarity, support change processes and promote psychological well-being.
How does individual therapy work?
In an initial consultation, we clarify what is bothering you and what goals you are pursuing. This is followed by regular sessions (usually 50 minutes) in which we work together on your issues - at your own pace and using individually tailored methods.
How often does the therapy take place?
This varies from person to person. At the beginning, weekly sessions are usual. Later, the intervals can be adjusted - depending on your concerns and progress.
How long does therapy take in total?
It depends on the issue. Some issues can be resolved in just a few sessions, others require longer support. We regularly reflect together on how far the process has progressed.
Can I also come if I „just want to talk“ - without a concrete problem?
Yes, some people use therapy for self-reflection, to clarify their thoughts or to help them make decisions. Conversations without an acute crisis can be just as valuable.
What if I am afraid of „stirring things up even more“ through therapy?
That is a legitimate concern. Therapy is about dealing with stress in a safe environment - not reinforcing it. The pace, depth and topics are carefully coordinated to avoid excessive demands.
Do I have to talk about my childhood?
Only if it makes sense for your issue. In some cases it helps to recognize connections, but therapy is not a compulsory program - your present counts just as much as your past.
I am actually successful and function well - can I still go to therapy?
Absolutely. Even people with a „functioning“ everyday life often carry inner tensions, doubts or old wounds with them. Success does not exclude suffering - and therapy is a space in which even seemingly „strong“ people can show themselves.
What if I am ashamed of my thoughts or feelings?
Therapy is a non-judgmental space. Shame is a frequent topic - speaking out about what we usually hide can be relieving and healing.
Can I take a break in between or end the therapy if it doesn't suit me?
I have already undergone several therapies - does this still help at all?
What happens during the first interview?
We get to know each other in the initial consultation. You tell us what is bothering you and we clarify whether therapy makes sense and what it might look like.
Do I need to prepare myself?
How does a therapy session work?
What if I realize that the therapy is not for me?
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