Psychotherapist - Psychotherapist - Activity

2023 Author: Wallace Forman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:19

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapy is an independent healing method for the diagnosis and treatment of psychological, psychosocial or psychosomatic states of suffering and disorders with scientific psychotherapeutic methods. The purpose of psychotherapy is to alleviate or heal mental suffering, to help in life crises, to change disrupted behaviors and attitudes, and to promote maturation, personal development and health.

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• more on the subject
• Official job title
• Tasks and work areas
• Solid education
• How are the costs going to be covered?
• Informative links
• Legal basis

Official job title

Psychotherapist

Tasks and work areas

The focus of psychotherapy is the relationship, exchange and conversation between the psychotherapist and the patient. Various exercises - depending on the psychotherapeutic method - can support or consolidate this exchange. Psychotherapy is about accompanying the patient in their development and in the search for a solution or change. In this way, people with mental illness can understand themselves and learn to help. There are various psychotherapeutic methods recognized in Austria.

Individual or group therapy is possible in almost all forms of psychotherapy; often couple and family therapy is also offered. There are also special offers for child and adolescent psychotherapy. Psychotherapeutic work with babies and toddlers is also possible. Examples of illnesses and problem situations in which psychotherapy is used (independently of / or together with any medical treatment that may be necessary) are:

• Depressions,
• Burnout,
• Fears that reduce the quality of life,
• Addictions, e.g. alcohol addiction, gambling addiction, etc.,
• Functional disorders: Frequently recurring physical complaints that have no organic cause, such as sexual problems (for example psychological sexual dysfunction) or tension in the muscles (for example in the neck area). Since these symptoms can also be caused by a physical illness, a medical evaluation is essential.
• somatopsychic and chronic diseases,
• Psychosomatic illnesses (illnesses related to stressful psychological problems),
• Psychoses (e.g. diseases from the schizophrenic group) and personality development disorders,
• Life crises or stressful events, such as a serious illness, loss of the partner, etc.,
• Crises and problems in partnership and family,
• Obsessive thoughts and actions that are perceived as stressful, e.g. recurring thoughts or the compulsion to have to wash constantly, etc.

Where do psychotherapists work?

Psychotherapists work, for example, in counseling centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics or in their own practices. Psychotherapists practice psychotherapy on a freelance basis or as an employee.

Solid education

The training to become a psychotherapist and the conditions for admission are regulated in the Psychotherapy Act. This consists of a general introductory part (propaedeutic course) totaling at least 1,315 hours and, after completing the preparatory course, a subject-specific part (specialist course) totaling at least 1,900 hours in one of the legally recognized psychotherapeutic directions. In some institutions, completing the subject specifics can also be combined with obtaining an academic degree. After successfully completing training, an entry in the list of psychotherapists of the BMSGPK is required. With the entry, the person concerned receives the authorization to practice the profession independently and independently. There are also special further training opportunities for psychotherapists, for example for working with babies, children and adolescents.

How are the costs going to be covered?

In the hospital

If you are cared for by a psychotherapist while you are in hospital, the costs are covered by your health insurance provider. For more information, see Hospitalization.

During a rehabilitation or spa stay

If you are cared for by a psychotherapist during a spa stay approved by the social security authorities, the costs are covered. The insured person has to pay an income-related additional payment for rehabilitation and spa stays. You can find more information on this on the social security website.

You can find interesting information about the spa stay and the associated costs under Rehabilitation and spa stay.

In the resident area

A full assumption of costs for psychotherapy is possible in own or contractually bound institutions of the health insurance carriers as well as in institutions that are subsidized by the public purse. Depending on the health insurance provider, a deductible may have to be paid. If you are undergoing psychotherapy with a resident psychotherapist, you have the option of applying for a subsidy from the health insurance company. If this is approved, the health insurance provider will reimburse you for part of the fee paid to the psychotherapist. However, the health insurance carriers only provide a subsidy if there is a so-called disease-related disorder.

You can find further information on "Psychotherapy on sickness certificate", cost subsidies and addresses of resident psychotherapists under Psychotherapy: Offers and Addresses.

Informative links

• Brochure Psychotherapy: When the soul needs help from the BMSGPK
• Official list of psychotherapists from the BMSGPK.
• In every state capital there are information centers for psychotherapy from the regional associations of the Austrian Federal Association for Psychotherapy.
• A directory of psychotherapists with proven training in child and adolescent psychotherapy can be found at www.psychotherapie.at.
• SUPRA Suicide Prevention Austria

Legal basis

You can find relevant laws in the Legal Information System (RIS):

• Psychotherapy Act, BGBI. No. 361/1990, as amended
• EEA Psychotherapy Act, BGBI. I No. 114/1999, as amended
• EEA Psychotherapy Ordinance BGBI. II No. 409/1999, as amended