Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Do you have any questions about couples therapy or the counseling process?
In our FAQs at Moderne Paartherapie Find answers to 25+ questions – concise, understandable and relevant to everyday life.
That's understandable – couples counseling is an important decision, and many people want to gather information before taking the first step. In our FAQs about couples therapy, we answer the most frequently asked questions.These are questions we receive in our practice: from practical information about costs, appointments, and procedures to substantive topics related to partnership, communication, and conflict resolution. We have compiled this collection to help you find your way around and clarify any uncertainties.
Couples therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a conscious step towards greater clarity, intimacy, and satisfaction in your relationship. Whether you want to work through an acute crisis, proactively strengthen your partnership, or need to make a fundamental decision – professional support can help you develop new perspectives and find concrete solutions.
Is your question not listed? Feel free to contact us directly via the Contact formWe will take the time to address your concerns and answer any open questions in a non-binding consultation. initial consultation.
Below you will find Frequently asked questions and our answers all about couples therapy, process and cooperation.
Orientation & Method
In this section, we explain how we work and which approach is right for you.
Moderne Paartherapie For us, this means a combination of systemic, emotional, and behavioral therapy approaches – free from outdated clichés. We work individually and in a solution-oriented manner, naturally integrating modern formats such as online counseling.
We view your relationship as a system of interactions. Instead of looking for someone to blame, we explore together the patterns you're stuck in. We incorporate your biographies and resources to create new possibilities for action and mutual understanding.
Couples therapy is usually helpful for deep-seated conflicts and emotional wounds, while couples coaching specifically strengthens everyday skills and communication. We support you in finding the format that makes sense for your current dynamic.
Yes, we work "impartially." This means we feel equally committed to both partners. Our aim is not to distribute rights, but to facilitate an understanding in which both sides feel heard.
The process of your consultation
Transparency is important for trust. This is how we approach it.
This initial consultation forms the foundation of your counseling. We will dedicate approximately 60 minutes to a thorough assessment, clarify your goals, and help you develop a new perspective. It replaces superficial introductory meetings with genuine depth and an initial professional evaluation of your situation. You receive a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
After clarifying your goals in the initial consultation, we will explore your issues in detail. Through targeted interventions, exercises, and reflection, we will develop step-by-step changes that you can directly integrate into your daily life.
A typical session lasts 60 minutes. The number of sessions is individual: sometimes just a few impulses are enough to set things up in a new direction, sometimes a longer process is more beneficial. You decide whether to continue at any time.
In our practice, Doris and Bernd Nickel typically work with couples individually. This guarantees you the full, undivided attention of a specialist and a highly focused, structured process without internal coordination time.
Formats (online & in-person)
Flexibility for your life – we offer various ways of working together.
The consultation takes place via a secure video room. All you need is a quiet place, a stable internet connection, and a camera. This format is ideal for timely appointments, when you are geographically distant, or if you feel more comfortable in your familiar surroundings.
In-person sessions offer the benefit of direct personal interaction and the undisturbed setting of our practice. Nonverbal cues are often more subtle in this environment, and certain visualizations or constellations can be experienced particularly intensely on-site.
Here, we flexibly combine online sessions and in-person appointments according to your needs. This allows you to remain flexible in case of travel, illness, or childcare needs, without compromising the quality of the therapeutic process.
Yes. For acute crises or when you need rapid decision-making support, we offer compact units. Here, we work intensively and with high focus to achieve noticeable progress and clear agreements in a short time.
Yes, Doris Nickel offers counseling fully bilingually (German and US English). This is ideal for international couples or expatriates to ensure that emotional nuances are not lost in translation.
Themes & Occasions
Every relationship is unique. Here, your concerns will find a home.
Typical reasons for seeking help include communication problems, jealousy, infidelity, sexual dissatisfaction, or fear of loss. We also provide a respectful and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ issues and binational topics.
Couples counseling is not a guarantee for the continuation of a relationship, but it is a guarantee for clarity. Sometimes it leads to renewed intimacy, sometimes it helps to make a separation more respectful and conscious.
Ideally, yes, but change can also begin with one person. If your partner isn't (yet) ready, individual counseling can help clarify your own position and introduce new ideas into the relationship.
Costs & Booking
Clear facts for your planning.
The initial consultation costs €140. Follow-up sessions range from €70 to €140, depending on the chosen plan. We also offer package deals. Payment is conveniently accepted via bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal.
Yes, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our initial consultation. If you find after the first 20 minutes that it's not a good fit, we'll refund the fee in full. We want you to feel completely confident in your decision.
No, couples therapy is a private service and is not covered by statutory health insurance. The advantage for you: no medical diagnoses are made, no files are created with insurance companies, and everything remains completely confidential.
You can book appointments directly through our online booking system on the website, by email, or by phone. As we operate on an appointment-only basis, appointments are only available by prior arrangement.