An inclusive queer-friendly attitude and language are important to us. We welcome all family models, gender identities and orientations. We know that “mother” and “father” are not always the correct and appropriate terms and that the person giving birth is not automatically always a woman. When we use terms such as “woman”, “man”, “mother” and “father”, it is based on the experiences and self-designations of the people visiting us. Feel free to share with us the pronouns and terms that make sense to you.
We are always learning: If we are unconsciously not sensitive and inclusive in our texts, please get in touch and let us know.
FAQ
What is the peripartum period?
The term describes the period around childbirth and refers to the feelings of the person giving birth. In concrete terms, this means that we provide psychosocial support to people in crises around the time of birth: from pregnancy to birth up to the child’s 2nd year. This also includes traumatic births as well as miscarriages and stillbirths.
What exactly is psychosocial counseling?
Psychosocial counseling helps people to cope better with stressful and challenging life situations, conflicts or stress. In our consultations, we strengthen resources and promote self-determined decisions that contribute to the quality of life of the mother and therefore also the child and the entire family.
Well-being is made up of psychological, biological and social factors. In psychosocial counseling, we always view clients as part of a social context and look at the individual environments in which they live. The interaction between individual experience and social and societal factors plays a major role in this. Our counseling begins in crises and difficult phases of life, but also has a preventative effect in order to avoid major crises and difficult situations.How does psychosocial counseling differ from therapy?
A small interdisciplinary team consisting of a state-approved social worker with additional counseling training, a psychological psychotherapist and a couples and sexual counselor with a master’s degree in social work works in the “Familienzelt”. All members of staff have specialist knowledge of crises in the peripartum period.
Unlike in a therapy setting, we do not make a diagnosis and do not aim to treat disorders. Psychosocial counseling is solution- and resource-oriented with a focus on a specific issue in a specific phase of life. Together, we develop strategies for the new life situation in an appreciative and safe environment. If therapy is required, we are happy to help and refer you to other services. Our psychosocial counselling is characterized by its low-threshold nature. Unlike therapy, it does not require approval from the health insurance company. Our counseling sessions can also be anonymous.
In which language do you offer the consultations?
In addition to German, we can also offer consultations in English and French. A language mediator is required for all other languages.
What are possible topics in the consultation?
To give you an initial orientation, here are a few examples of possible topics and/or questions:
– I am afraid that I will get or have postpartum depression.
– I am pregnant and have worries and fears.
– Motherhood doesn’t feel the way I thought it would.
– I’m constantly stressed and can’t sleep.
– I’m finding it difficult to adjust to my new role as a parent.
– I don’t feel a bond with my child.
– I am pregnant again and I am scared.
– I have frightening prenatal diagnostic findings and don’t know what to do.
– My birth experience was terrible.
– I had one/several miscarriages.
– I had a stillbirth.
– My child died during or shortly after birth.
– I am afraid for my partner – he/she is not well.
– and much more.These are just examples. Feel free to contact us and tell us about your concerns.
How do I proceed if I want to make an appointment?
An e-mail at any time or a call during our office hours
(Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 10 am – 1 pm) is sufficient to briefly describe your concern. We will look for the quickest possible appointment and are happy to offer an appointment on site, online or by phone. You can also leave a message on our machine and we will call you back. If you are unsure whether we are the right place for you, please get in touch and we will find out together whether we are the right counceling center for you.How long does psychosocial counseling take?
This varies and depends on your issue/question. Sometimes one session is enough and sometimes we accompany people over several sessions up to long-term support – at most until the child is 2 years old.
The intervals between consultations are not predetermined. We look individually at how we can best support you. As a rule, however, unlike psychological psychotherapy, counseling sessions do not take place weekly, but rather every 2, 3 or 4 weeks. There is also no minimum number of sessions. The duration of a counseling session is between 50 and 60 minutes.Does the consultation cost money?
No. Our consultations are free of charge. As we are a project funded by the “Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege”, we can offer consultations without payment. However, the funding is only sufficient for the most necessary costs, so as a small non-profit organization we are very happy and grateful for voluntary donations. The amount of the donation is up to the individual to decide. In any case, counseling should be accessible to all people and not be hindered by financial barriers.
Do you also offer couples counseling?
Unfortunately, no. Even though the time of pregnancy, birth and the initial period afterwards can be a challenge and a huge change for the couple’s relationship, we do not offer traditional couples counseling due to capacity constraints. The focus is on the individual with their individual crises and challenges. Sometimes, if the situation requires it, the partner can be brought in for a few sessions if it helps to solve problems or activate the resources of the person concerned. As a rule, however, counseling takes place in a one-to-one setting.
The situation is different for miscarriages and stillbirths. Here we offer grief counseling in which both parents can participate together, but do not have to.
Can I also come to your consultation as a father?
Yes, of course.
Fathers can also suffer from peripartum crises or have experienced the birth as traumatizing. Talking to us can also be a support in finding a new role as a father and dealing with the new situation. We see the family as a system and, of course, the people who did not give birth to the child can also come to us with concerns and problems.
We can also advise you if your partner is feeling unwell, e.g. in the postpartum period or after a difficult birth. We help you to better understand the situation and activate your own resources so that you can be there for your partner.