When Help is Months Away: The Problem with Therapy Availability in Germany

Anyone seeking psychological help in Germany needs one thing above all else: patience. A great deal of patience.

Many people experience a moment when they realise: this can’t go on. Perhaps it’s sleeplessness, depressive thoughts, anxiety, or an overwhelming sense of being unable to cope. Taking that step to seek help already requires enormous courage.

And yet, for many, that step marks the beginning of a deeply frustrating journey.

Phone numbers are looked up, practices called, messages left on answering machines, often with no reply. Or a brief response: “You’re on the waiting list.”

Even if an initial consultation does come through, which often takes weeks or months, that’s no guarantee that therapy can actually begin.

Five months of waiting when you’re struggling

In Germany, the average time between a first consultation and the start of psychotherapy is around 20 to 22 weeks, roughly five months. Add the wait for that initial appointment, and many people are left waiting half a year or more before receiving any real support.

Five or six months is an extremely long time when you’re struggling mentally.

It’s frankly absurd. Imagine someone with a broken leg being told to wait patiently at home for five months until a doctor happens to have time. A physical injury is treated immediately, because it’s obvious: without care, the condition can worsen.

In the field of mental health, however, a significant gap in care has existed for years.

A system that can’t keep up

Germany has a well-trained psychotherapeutic system in principle, but available therapy slots are simply not enough to meet actual demand in many areas. Experts have long pointed out that the planning framework for statutory health insurance placements is based on outdated calculations that no longer reflect today’s need for mental health care.

For those affected, this means: they’ve recognised they need support, but must wait. Weeks. Months. Sometimes years.

During that time, many people are left alone with their thoughts. Yet early support could often prevent difficulties from becoming entrenched or chronic.

As psychologists, we find it hard to accept that this is still the reality in 2026. How is it possible that people in acute psychological distress must wait so long for help?

It may get worse

Ongoing discussions about changes to how psychotherapeutic services are reimbursed are being viewed with concern by many professional associations. They fear that access for people with statutory insurance could deteriorate further, and that waiting times may grow even longer.

When our healthcare system has such a glaring gap, we need services that can at least begin to fill it.

Why Mentalea exists

That’s exactly the motivation behind founding Mentalea, to provide professional, accessible support during difficult times. Not eventually, but right when help is needed.

Our sessions take place by phone. This makes appointments possible in the evenings and from anywhere: no commute, no waiting room, no extra barriers.

Because honestly, how many people can afford to regularly leave work mid-day to see a psychologist, accumulate unpaid hours, or use up annual leave?

And the best part: our clients love this format.

Give it a try

If you’d like, feel free to try it, the first session is free.

Of course, it would be ideal if psychological support were fully available through health insurance at any time. But waiting months without help is not a solution.

Often, just a few conversations are enough to bring about noticeable, lasting improvement.