What We Offer
Orientational Appointment
The orientational appointment takes place in person or online and takes 50 minutes.
During the orientational appointment, we will get an overview of your concerns and your life situation and decide on the next steps. Outcomes of this orientation appointment may include:
- A recommendation and sign-up for one of our group services or workshops.
- Referral to another service within the University (e.g., Academic Office, Career Center, Writing Services, Studierendenwerk, Office for studying with impairments, etc.).
- Referral to another service outside the University (e.g., your primary care physician/specialist, other counseling service, etc.).
- Signing up for further counseling on the topic of finding a therapy placement.
- Signing up for further individual counseling at our counseling center.
The aim of the orientational appointment is to give you a quick initial assessment of your concerns in order to avoid long waiting times for further steps at other places, if necessary.
Telephone Consultation
The telephone consultation hour takes place on Mondays between 11 and 12 o'clock. During the consultation hour, we offer short counseling sessions (10 to 15 min). Together, we assess the situation and develop ideas for further action. You can reach us without prior appointment at the following telephone number: 040 42838 8916.
Unfortunately on July 7th the telephone consultation has to be cancelled.
Group Counseling
Our groups are usually aimed at a specific target group (e.g. students with mental health issues, students who procrastinate, etc.). Besides the fact that participants are students at the university, they share a particular challenge or problem. In our groups it is important to us that participants get in touch with each other, share their experiences and benefit from others’ - according to the motto: You are not alone with this problem! The group leaders accompany and moderate the sessions. They contribute psychological knowledge and strategies on the respective topics. In between the group sessions, you have the opportunity to try out what you have learned.
Our groups usually comprise six to eight appointments and last between 90 and 120 minutes. The groups are closed, i.e. participants register before the first session and the group composition remains constant during the course. This facilitates an open and trustful exchange in the group. You can only participate in a group after prior registration at the Psychological Counseling Center and a short conversation to clarify preconditions and expectations.
Group Counseling for Students with Procrastination Issues
Our group counseling is geared toward students who suffer from procrastination and who find it difficult to progress in or complete their studies. The group sessions help students tackle the upcoming steps (e.g., attending classes, doing term papers or final theses, preparing for and taking examinations), stick at it, and—at the same time—overcome internal and external hurdles. The goal is for students to complete individual steps and, ultimately, whole projects. Self-observation and self-reflection are used to help students build up an understanding of their actions and to develop concrete strategies for change. Exchanging with other students is at least as important as the therapeutic counseling itself.
Group counseling is ongoing, and one round consists of 8 sessions. Students can be admitted to group counseling at certain times in consultation with the group leader. If necessary, you may have a preliminary discussion with the group leader. If you are interested in group counseling, contact us via ada.pv"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
Group Counseling on Stress Management for Doctoral Students/PhDs
Do you often feel stressed or worried about your dissertation? Is the situation at work stressing you out? Are there difficulties in supervising your work? Do you struggle with self-critical and perfectionistic thoughts about your work? Do you sometimes feel alone with these problems or feel like everyone else is doing better? Do you doubt whether you will ever be able to complete your project? Do you lack the motivation to move forward? Or are there so many tasks that you don't know where to start? Can you hardly switch off, do you feel physical stress symptoms?
Would you like to exchange views and thoughts about these issues with other PhD students outside your research group?
On September 9 2025 the new round of the group for PhD students will start!
The group will take place on the following dates:
Tuesdays,
9.9.25: 13.30-15.30 h
23.9.25: 13.30-15.30 h
7.10.25: 13.30-15.30 h
21.10.25: 13.30-15.30 h
4.11.25: 13.30-15.30 h
18.11.25: 13.30-15.30 h
2.12.25: 13.30-15.30 h
Location: Alsterterrasse 1, 4th floor, room 415
Beyond discussing strategies to overcome problems, we would also like to offer a platform for personal exchange among doctoral students from different disciplines. To ensure accessibility for all, the group will be held in English. To maintain a personal atmosphere, we limit the number of participants to about 12 to 14. The sessions are a mix of professional input, practical exercises, discussion and exchange in small groups.
The group will be facilitated by Annette Juchems-Brohl and Bettina Niebuhr.
We are happy to accept registration requests for upcoming runs of this offer via our mail portal. Please register for individual counselling and mention the group in your request.
Anti-Stigma Workshop: be True to Yourself
The psychological counselling centre of the University of Hamburg in cooperation with the association Irre menschlich Hamburg e.V. offer a 5-day workshop for young adults who have (been) affected by mental crises or have relatives who experience mental crises.
Especially after contact with a psychiatry, it can be difficult to find the right words for one's own experiences or those of friends and relatives.
Afterwards, many questions often arise: How do I feel about having a diagnosis, how do I deal with it myself? And how do I talk about it with other people? What do I say to whom and in what words? Which words suit myself? To whom do I prefer to say nothing? How do I deal with it on social media?
In the 5x2 hour workshop, the focus is on how to stand by oneself in difficult times, how and with whom one wants to talk about one's own experiences, for example in one's studies, with friends or online on social media.
The workshops are offered by a team of 2 facilitators who have themselves experienced mental health crises and are willing to talk about them. The team includes both roles, the experience from work and the experience of those affected in the psychiatric system.
„Coping with social anxiety“
While holding presentations you get really nervous? You only think of the embarrassment you will experience? To get in contact with others is difficult for you because you only think of doing things wrong and what the others might think about you? You are avoiding going to parties because social interactions are sometimes scaring you? You are postponing things like phone calls because even to think about it makes you nervous? You are only wearing dark clothes so that others cannot see when you are sweating under stress?
Do you suffer from such or similar problems and feel that your private or study life is affected?
The group is for students from UHH, HfbK, HfMT and HCU that have problems with social anxiety. We want to explore how social anxiety develops and stays. It is essential that participants share their own experience of defined aspects in a small group so that you do not feel being alone with these problems any more. We want to work in strategies that can help with dealing with anxiety and giving the opportunity to make better experiences in social situations.
The group takes place once every semester and consists of 7 weekly sessions plus a booster-session after a while. It will be held in person and in German, therefore sufficient German knowledge is required. Please register via our mail portal for more information and for a preliminary meeting to find out if this group can be helpful for you.
Group „How to Strengthen Your Friendly Inner Voice“
Are you often unhappy with your achievements? Do you feel overwhelmed by critical feedback? Do you blame yourself first if something does not work properly? Is it hard for you to ask someone for help? Do you often compare yourself negatively to others and end up feeling bad? Do you always make high demands on yourself?
Highly self-critical and perfectionistic persons often suffer from distress. Also, a tendency to avoid mistakes and have perfect outcomes cost a lot of time. This can lead to stagnation and procrastination. In this group you will learn to reduce your critical inner voice and become more friendly and self-compassionate towards yourself and your achievements.
This group targets students from UHH, HfbK, HfMT, HCU and BHH. It is offered once per semester onsite at Alsterterrasse 1 with six sessions à 90 min. in total. Since the group will be in German sufficient German knowledge is required.
Please register via our website to learn more about this group in a preliminary talk.
Group Counseling on "ADHD?"
Are you easily distracted and erratic? Do you often lose or forget things? Do you find it difficult to concentrate, do you constantly feel nervous and driven? Do you have problems organizing your everyday life and studies? Do you put off tasks that require concentration or avoid them altogether? Do you find it difficult to listen to others calmly without interrupting them?
Do you suffer from these limitations and do they cause you problems in your studies or private life? Do you often criticize yourself for these behaviours, are you angry or disappointed with yourself? In other words: Have you ever wondered if you might have ADHD? Or do you already have an AD(H)S diagnosis?
The “ADHD?” group is aimed at students who experience difficulties and restrictions typical of ADHD in their studies and private life. You do not need to have an ADD or ADHD diagnosis to take part in the group. The group is intended to help students cope with their studies and the difficulties in their private lives that arise from the restrictions and behaviors mentioned. The exchange with other affected students is at least as important as the therapeutic support provided by the moderators.
The group comprises 8 weekly meetings of 1.5 hours each in presence. Topics include, for example: What is ADHD (for me), diagnosis and treatment options, self-organization, discovering and activating resources and strengths, overcoming social difficulties, dealing with strong feelings and impulsivity. There will be a preliminary discussion. If you are interested in the group, please contact us via our mail portal . Please use the registration form for individual counseling and mention the group as a concern. We will add you to our list of interested parties and contact you with a suggested date for a preliminary meeting.
Individual Counseling
Counseling is available for all difficulties regarding your studies and personal situations that affect your studies. Counseling can be carried out in German, English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
One counseling session lasts 50 minutes. We determine the number of sessions based on the needs of the person seeking counseling. We can help to resolve certain issues in a single session; others might require 3 or 4 sessions. We can offer a maximum of five counseling sessions. Where necessary, we can provide other forms of support—such as our workshops—and help you to find other services within or outside the University. We do not offer long-term psychotherapy; however, we are happy to help you find a therapist. Read the registration information.
Group counseling on stress management for doctoral students/PhDs
Do you often feel stressed or worried about your dissertation? Is the situation at work stressing you out? Are there difficulties in supervising your work? Do you struggle with self-critical and perfectionistic thoughts about your work? Do you sometimes feel alone with these problems or feel like everyone else is doing better? Do you doubt whether you will ever be able to complete your project? Do you lack the motivation to move forward? Or are there so many tasks that you don't know where to start? Can you hardly switch off, do you feel physical stress symptoms?
Would you like to exchange views and thoughts about these issues with other PhD students outside your research group?
On September 9 2025 the new round of the group for PhD students will start!
The group will take place on the following dates:
Tuesdays,
9.9.25: 13.30-15.30 h
23.9.25: 13.30-15.30 h
7.10.25: 13.30-15.30 h
21.10.25: 13.30-15.30 h
4.11.25: 13.30-15.30 h
18.11.25: 13.30-15.30 h
2.12.25: 13.30-15.30 h
Location: Alsterterrasse 1, 4th floor, room 415
Beyond discussing strategies to overcome problems, we would also like to offer a platform for personal exchange among doctoral students from different disciplines. To ensure accessibility for all, the group will be held in English. To maintain a personal atmosphere, we limit the number of participants to about 12 to 14. The sessions are a mix of professional input, practical exercises, discussion and exchange in small groups.
The group will be facilitated by Annette Juchems-Brohl and Bettina Niebuhr.
We are happy to accept registration requests for upcoming runs of this offer via our mail portal. Please register for individual counselling and mention the group in your request.
Individual Counseling and Group Counseling to Support Students with Mental Illness (HOPES)
HOPES is a special support service for students at all Hamburg higher education institutions who need practical advice on coping with academic life after a serious psychological event or after in-patient psychological treatment. More information
Workshops and Coachings
In cooperation with the Center for Academic Advising, we offer a variety of workshops on study-related topics and on personal development. Read more about the workshops and registering.