Psychological Counselling

When your path becomes unclear

Are you at a standstill? Sometimes you simply know that something is no longer quite right — without being able to say exactly what. The path that once felt clear no longer leads anywhere obvious. Perhaps you are in a crisis of meaning, experiencing a loss of direction and asking yourself what matters most to you, what kind of work would truly suit you, or whether the path you have taken is still yours. Perhaps you are facing a transition or a new beginning and need courage for the next step. Or you simply feel alone, in a way that is not easy to explain. You manage. You make decisions. But somewhere along the way, you have lost a sense of where you are actually headed.

These questions often become sharper abroad. Perhaps you are living abroad, still finding your footing in an unfamiliar culture. Or you have returned home, only to discover that you yourself have changed and no longer quite fit the life you left behind.

Where do you go from here?

Online from wherever you are, or in person in Cologne or by arrangement elsewhere, we explore your situation together so that you can find courage and a new direction.

See and shape your path in a new light –

encouraged and goal-oriented

In a trusting and supportive atmosphere, I am your conversation partner and sounding board. I guide you in viewing both your past and potential new paths from different perspectives and developing fresh insights. We meet in a safe, confidential space: conveniently online from wherever you are, or in person, in Cologne or elsewhere by arrangement, and outdoors in the fresh air if you like (for a walk or, if you ride, even in the saddle). For a ride, I come to your stable, provided a second trail-safe horse is available for me.

My work draws on Individual Psychology - the approach developed by Alfred Adler, a foundational figure in modern psychology — which understands people in their full context: their goals, relationships, and inner resources. Central to this is what Adler called Gemeinschaftsgefühl, often translated as social interest: the human need to belong, to contribute, and to feel that one's life is connected to something larger. Complementary methods are drawn in as the work requires.

Method Examples

Exploring Meaning and Values: What do you actually orient your life around? It is often only when something starts to waver that we notice how long we have been living by other people's expectations. We explore what truly matters to you and what you want to base future decisions on. This helps you ask, for example:

What gives your days meaning, and what no longer does?
Which values do you want to live by?
What may stay, and what may change?

This creates an orientation that comes from within.

Finding Courage and Reorienting: What do you truly want – not what others expect of you? Often we live by rules that aren't even ours:

The career for our parents
The perfect family for appearances
Selflessness for others

We translate your genuine inner goals and values into concrete next steps. Through practical exercises, you develop the confidence to act on them – whether that means saying no, pursuing a career change, or finally standing up for your needs.

Exploring Lifestyle Patterns: Why do you keep finding yourself in similar conflicts? Why do certain situations feel so familiar yet draining? We explore your personal "life stance" – deeply rooted patterns from childhood and experience – that unconsciously guide your decisions. This helps you recognise, for example:

Why you constantly overextend yourself
Why you avoid conflicts
Why you set impossibly high standards for yourself

This gives you the freedom to consciously choose new paths.

Examining Early Recollections: Your earliest childhood memories are like a compass showing the unconscious beliefs you carry through life. Beliefs such as:

"I have to do everything alone"
"I can't show weakness"
"I'm only valuable when I perform"

These still influence your relationships and decisions today. By uncovering them, you understand why certain paths feel so difficult – and can replace these old convictions with new, empowering ones.

Fostering Social Interest: Many people who come to see me feel isolated – even when surrounded by others:

They feel no one truly understands them
They don't want to burden others
They withdraw even though they long for connection

We work on strengthening your connection to others and recognising that you don't have to carry everything alone. This not only reduces loneliness but also helps you make decisions that feel right both for you and for your relationships.

“In this sense, every person is an artist, creating something from their innate factors and possibilities. The individual is both the artwork and the artist.”

– Alfred Adler

Psychological counseling, supervision, or therapy?

Psychological Counselling supports you through life crises and personal challenges, such as burnout, overwhelm, or difficult decision-making. In moments when everything feels like too much, it helps you reconnect with a sense of grounding.

Supervision enables professionals to reflect on work-related issues and develop fresh perspectives on their practice.

Both services are confidential, highly flexible (sessions are tailored to your needs and arranged together), and fee-based (self-funded), ensuring complete privacy with no impact on official records.

Psychotherapy is a clinical treatment for diagnosed mental health conditions, and requires a licensed therapist. If it becomes clear that therapy would serve you better, I am glad to support you in finding the right person. In addition, I work with Prof. Dr. med. Gereon Nelles (neurologist, Neuromed-Campus) when needed.