Psychotherapy & Coaching Cologne
Psychotherapie & Coaching in Köln auf Englisch
Hi, my name is Judith. With empathy and clarity, I’ll guide you as you explore your feelings and patterns – and identify concrete steps for your personal growth. You’ll gain confidence, a zest for life, and resilience.
Everyone is warmly welcome here—regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship preferences. My practice is anti-discriminatory, queer-friendly, trauma-informed, and neurodivergence-sensitive.
I follow a therapeutic approach rooted in evidence-based Client-Centered Psychotherapy, whilst also emphasizing mindfulness, developing self-compassion and understanding your needs and boundaries. I am currently pursuing further training in Somatic Experiencing—a body-based approach to trauma therapy.
For my qualifications, and how to reach me, check the information at the end of this page.
For instance, I can help you with:
Recognizing and setting boundaries
Understanding and communicating your needs
Changing patterns and beliefs
Reducing fear of others' opinions, reducing people-pleasing, and overcoming emotional dependence
Overcoming attachment anxiety and building healthy relationships
Reducing self-comparisons and overcoming imposter syndrome
Exploring self-expectations, reducing performance-oriented thinking, and letting go of an over-achiever mindset
Preventing burnout and easing self-imposed pressure
Decreasing the feeling to be responsible for everything and the need to control
Managing stress and building resilience
Calming inner restlessness and breaking circular thoughts
Building self-assurance, serenity, balance, lightness, and peace
Increasing self-worth and confidence while overcoming self-doubt
Practicing self-compassion, finding self-acceptance, and treating yourself kindly
Connecting with your feelings, especially those often avoided (like anger, aggression, sadness, powerlessness, or shame)
Using empathy for others consciously
Processing past situations and relationships
Reflecting on your current situation and gaining an external perspective
"The curious paradox is
that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
– Carl Rogers
Client-Centered Psychotherapy
I practice client-centered psychotherapy, an evidence-based method within humanistic psychotherapy. As a humanistic therapist, I believe everyone wants to grow personally, but fears, false beliefs, or behavior patterns can hinder you.
In our sessions I help you understand your behaviors, patterns, concerns, beliefs and needs. We explore both your current situation and your past, as early experiences from childhood and adolescence often shape adult actions and feelings.
I guide you in applying what you learn, facilitating changes in seemingly deadlocked situations and feelings. Instead of telling you who you are, I support you in finding your own solutions, promoting sustainable independent development.
Client-centered psychotherapy was developed by Carl Rogers and his colleagues in the middle of the 20th century. Scientific studies have shown that it is an effective treatment for the following mental illnesses: Affective disorders (e.g. depression), anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and somatic illnesses.
It is also very helpful and often used as the basis for coaching.
"Feelings come and go,
like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing is my anchor."
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion
I use mindfulness, body awareness, breathing, and self-compassion in my work. As a yoga teacher, I include meditative exercises in therapy and coaching. For example sessions usually start with a mindfulness exercise related to your personal themes, incorporating short affirmations or healing phrases like "I am okay as I am" or "I am here."
This can help you with:
Cultivating mindful presence
You'll learn to be more present during our sessions, enabling a deeper exploration of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors for personal growth and positive changes.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Mindfulness and breathing techniques promote relaxation, reduce "fight or flight" responses, and can help you decrease overall stress. Focusing on the present can also assist you in letting go of excessive worry about the future and past rumination.
Regulating your emotions
By learning how to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you'll gain insights for a better understanding of yourself. This awareness can help you respond to challenging emotions in healthier ways.
Understanding the body-mind connection
Understanding the powerful connection between your mind and body is key to addressing physical symptoms and promoting overall well-being. This knowledge will allow you to cultivate a deeper awareness of how your body and mind influence each other.
Being more compassionate towards yourself
Being kind to yourself boosts mental health, resilience, and a positive self-image. This skill helps you navigate challenges and setbacks with greater self-care and acceptance.
I'm inspired by the work of therapist and Buddhist Tara Brach and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. I find the concept of Mindful Self-Compassion by Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer particularly helpful.
Additionally, I integrate cognitive-behavioral measures such as journaling or daily tasks. I believe regular practice is necessary for achieving and consolidating long-term changes.
About Me
I am 39 years old, and I absolutely love supporting people on their journey of healing and personal growth. For me, it’s always exciting and fascinating to explore together everything that’s going on inside a person.
It brings me great joy to be there when my clients begin to feel more comfortable in their own skin, enjoy their lives more, and cultivate honest, joyful, and nurturing relationships. I am very grateful that people place their trust in me to guide them and that I am able to do this work.
Here I provide an overview of my qualifications. My non-linear career path has proven valuable in my therapeutic work.
My Qualifications
Somatic Experiencing (in training)
Somatic Experiencing Germany, Doris Rothbauer
2026-2028
Integrative Couples Therapy
North German Couples Academy Hamburg
2023-2025
Humanistic Therapy
Client-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy
Thalamus Essen
2019-2021
Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie
(Alternative Practitioner for Psychotherapy)
Cologne Health Department
2020
Vinyasa Yoga Teacher
Vishnus Couch Cologne
2015-2016
Diploma in Business Administration
University of Cologne
2006-2011
Let's Connect!
I offer sessions at the following times
(in person and online):
Monday: 13:00-19:00
Tuesday: 14:00-21:00
Wednesday: 11:00-18:00
Friday: 11:00-18:00
My practice is located in a quiet side street off Venloer Straße in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. It's easily accessible from Ehrenfeld train station and the Venloer Straße/Gürtel stop.
Hansemannstrasse 20
50823 Cologne
To schedule a session, please send me an e-mail:
Let me know which of the above mentioned times generally work for you, and I will send you appointment suggestions.
Also, feel free to briefly mention the reason(s) why you’re contacting me.
If you have any questions that you would prefer to discuss over the phone, simply send me a short email, and I will call you back.
I use female or gender-neutral pronouns (“she/they”).