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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy refers to the treatment of the soul,

 

which in turn is in constant “communication” with our body.

 

We are a private practice, meaning public health insurances to not cover the costs for a treatment by our doctors and therapists.

 

Our team consists of medical and psychological psychotherapists. Each of our therapists works independently as a behavioural therapist within the group practice.

The following is information about the range of services, the course of the therapy and the options for assuming the costs of the treatment:

The first step

… Isn’t always the easiest. Many people initially have concerns about whether psychotherapy would be useful or whether they would be stigmatized in any shape or form afterwards. Some are afraid of being mentally ill.
We would like to ease your concerns. If you feel that you are simply out of balance mentally, or if you have not been feeling well for a while, just arrange a consultation appointment with us. We can then explore what we can individually do for you and whether a therapy is indicated or which alternatives or complementary treatments are possible.

Which
therapist?

In Germany, you have the right to choose your preferred physician and therapist, and that’s a good thing. If you would like to try a therapist from our team, contact us and the assistants will establish the contact.
You can also arrange an introductory appointment with the medical director, Dr Samia Little Elk, who will be pleased to arrange for a practitioner within the practice who would suit you and your specific needs and therapeutic indications best. You can also look elsewhere for a therapist. Or you can use the first five probatory sessions to consider your options. The important thing is: the chemistry must be right!

Probatory sessions

As I said, the chemistry must be right. It does not make sense for you to literally torment yourself for hours with a therapist that simply does not suit you. If you have the feeling that you and the therapist are talking past each other in the probatory sessions, then talk to him or her about it. The solution is usually simple. But if he or she does not suit you or your needs, then you have the right to change the therapist. As a general rule, the first five sessions do not have to be requested. Be sure to clarify this with your health insurance company.

Cost coverage - how do I pay for the therapy?

Unfortunately, we cannot invoice statutory health insurances because we are a private practice. Self-payers pay out of pocket, as the name implies, and do not have to apply for anything. Privately insured people and beneficiaries of medical aid should always contact the health insurance company first (and, if necessary, the medical aid provider) before therapy starts in order to clarify the cost coverage. As a rule, the procedures are similar and so the respective therapist can help you with the clarification.

The therapy sessions

With our therapy procedures, you are NOT lying on the couch. We sit opposite each other in armchairs and communicate at eye level. We consider therapy a cooperation session. The common goal is to explore ways to find a mental balance with the therapist’s professional support. The therapy sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place once a week.

Therapy - breaking new ground in thinking, feeling and acting

For some people, therapy is still somewhat enigmatic and they do not really know what to expect, which worries some people. But therapy is not much more than breaking new ground in thinking, feeling and acting. Directly influencing our feelings or emotions is difficult, although we often wish we could (simply not be sad, angry or disappointed). However, we can positively influence our emotional world through our thinking structures and our actions.

Physician? Psychologist? Psychotherapist? Huh?

That’s confusing. Well, that’s true! But actually it is very easy:
Psychotherapists can be medical specialists, in which case they are considered medical psychotherapists, or they can be specialized psychologists, in which case they are considered psychological psychotherapists.
But in the end BOTH perform psychotherapy. The medical psychotherapist studied medicine first. The psychological psychotherapist studied psychology first. As they continue their education, both end up drinking from the same cup.
The noteworthy difference: If necessary, the medical doctor can also sign sick notes and usually issues medical certificates and prescriptions. In other words, he or she coordinates and discusses a possible drug treatment with you.

Therapist on four paws

Animals can have a very special effect on humans. In particular, certain species, like dogs for example. Dr. Samia Little Elk has a Golden Retriever who could not be a better (co-)therapist. The dog is trained, well socialized with dogs and adapted to people, relaxed and always well utilized. This means that she lives and works mostly in the open air in cooperation with the doctor and therapist. Animal-assisted therapy with dogs may be useful for certain anxiety disorders, especially for fears of dogs in adults as well as in children and for various other problems. You can find out more information directly on Muffin’s page.

Range of services:

Treatment focus areas:

  • Depression
  • Burnout, stress, exhaustion
  • Adjustment disorders
  • Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, general anxiety disorder, phobias)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Eating disorders (bulimia, binge eating disorder, obesity)
  • Sleep disorders
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Somatoform disorders and pain disorders
  • Personality disorders
Therapeutic procedures:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Relaxation techniques (autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, hypnotherapy)
  • Schema therapy according to Jeffrey Young
  • Experience-activating methods (imagination, work with chairs and symbols)
  • Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction

If you are interested in any of these topics, please click the link in the top menu.

sleep laboratory

Sleep medicine

Sleep disorders can be examined and treated.
practice team

Team

A humane team consisting of physicians, psychotherapists and assistants will be happy to take care of you.
psychosomatics

Psychosomatics

A medical area specializing in body and soul.
Dr Samia Little Elk - Sleep Medicine

Media

Dr. Samia Little Elk is engaged in media to convey valuable and interesting medical knowledge to the general public in an easy and understandable way.
psychotherapy Berlin

Psychotherapy

The soul can learn to get well and stay healthy.
Sleep Lab Berlin

Contact

Here is how you can reach us to make appointments or clarify questions and how to find us.
dog assisted therapy

Muffin - therapy dog

Muffin lives with Dr. Little Elk and occasionally supports the practice work as a therapy dog. For more information, just click on the picture 🙂

Schlafpraxis Berlin

An outpatient practice for sleep medicine,
Psychosomatics & psychotherapy

Niedstr. 22
12159 Berlin
(right on the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz)

Tel: 030 – 88 72 81 74

email: info@schlafpraxis-berlin.de

Practice owner:
Dr. med. Samia Little Elk

www.schlafpraxis-berlin.de

Privately insured and self-payers