Procedure and costs
Psychotherapy is an important step. At Ruhr University Bochum, we combine scientifically based treatment with individual care. On this page, you will find all the information you need about the process, costs and special features of our university outpatient clinic.
The initial consultation
The first step: Please call or email us to make an appointment for a psychotherapy consultation. If you have statutory health insurance, please bring your insurance card with you. The consultation is an opportunity to get to know each other. Together, we will assess your situation and discuss suitable treatment or counselling options. If necessary, we will recommend a medical examination.
As a university outpatient clinic, we fulfil specific tasks in research and teaching. Therefore, we cannot offer therapy places to everyone who is interested.
Diagnosis and treatment planning
If outpatient psychotherapy is appropriate, the consultation is followed by up to four trial sessions – known as probationary therapy. During these sessions, we carry out a detailed diagnosis, clarify your therapy goals and jointly develop a treatment plan.
A trusting therapeutic relationship is essential for the success of the therapy. The probatory sessions give you the opportunity to assess whether the collaboration is right for you.
If you decide to undergo treatment, we will draw up a treatment contract. This contract explains data protection, data use and your rights as a patient. Your therapeutic support is subject to confidentiality and no information will be disclosed to third parties without your consent.
Application and cost coverage
Once all questions have been clarified, we will jointly submit the application for cost coverage to your health insurance company. Health insurance companies usually approve the therapy without any problems. Privately insured persons should check the terms and conditions of their contract in advance. We are happy to assist you with all formalities with your cost bearers.
Self-paying patients will be billed according to the fee schedule for psychotherapists (GOP).
The therapy begins
Once the probationary period is complete, the actual therapy phase begins. You will usually attend a 50-minute session once a week. If the usual session length is not sufficient, longer or more frequent appointments are also possible if required. We tailor the framework conditions to your individual needs, goals and time resources.
Our university outpatient clinic offers acute treatment for up to 12 sessions, short-term therapy for up to 24 sessions and, if necessary, long-term therapy. The duration of psychotherapy varies from person to person: it depends on the severity and complexity of your symptoms. Behavioural therapy usually lasts several months.
The sessions themselves usually take place on site. Depending on the intervention, individual appointments may also take place outside the therapy rooms, and video sessions are occasionally possible. Your treatment may include both individual and group therapy elements. We will work with you to determine which treatment setting will benefit you most.
Scientific and ethical principles
Our university outpatient clinic exclusively utilises evidence-based methods. The therapeutic techniques are scientifically proven and have demonstrated their effectiveness in numerous studies. As part of our quality management system, we regularly evaluate our work scientifically. The entire psychotherapy team works in accordance with the
professional code of conduct of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Chamber of Psychotherapists
and the current
guidelines of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF).
Research
Our therapeutic work is based on the latest scientific findings. In addition, we conduct our own research into the mechanisms of psychotherapy and develop improved therapy concepts.
Your treatment and research data are subject to the strictest data protection guidelines and are treated confidentially.
As part of the diagnostic process, we record your symptoms several times in order to evaluate the course of treatment. Filling out various questionnaires requires a little extra effort on your part. In return, you will receive comprehensive feedback on your therapy progress. This allows us to reliably verify that your treatment is heading in the desired direction and that you are benefiting from the interventions.
We work in close collaboration with psychotherapeutic practice, university education and training, and scientific research. This enables us to offer patients the opportunity to participate in selected research projects that investigate aspects of the development of disorders and psychotherapeutic treatment. Participation is voluntary.
We use our research findings to continuously develop our diagnostic and psychotherapeutic services. This ensures that you receive treatment that is based on the latest scientific findings and meets the highest quality standards.