The 5th German Psychotherapy Congress (DPK) will take place in Berlin on 9 June 2026 under the motto “Mental Health in the Epochal Break: Securing Care Instead of Cutting Care”. Experts from science, practice and politics will discuss the future of psychotherapeutic care.

The focus is on the current fee cuts in outpatient psychotherapy, the financing of continuing education and the effects of health policy austerity measures. Organizers warn of a further weakening of care in view of increasing psychological stress in the population.

Prof. Dr. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier, President of the German Psychological Society (DGPs), explained that mental health is a central question for the future of society. Scientific findings have shown the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatments for years. Especially in times of multiple crises, health policy must be geared towards securing this care in the long term.

The German Psychotherapists Association (DPtV) sees an urgent need for political action. The fee cuts would send a fatal signal at a time of increasing psychological stress. Those who weaken care prolong suffering and exacerbate social follow-up costs, emphasized the federal chairmen Dr. Christina Jochim and Dr. Enno Maaß.

The political opening panel sees itself as a space for critical dialogue. With the participation of the Federal Ministry of Health, current decisions are to be discussed directly with voices from care, science and the public.

The congress positions itself clearly: Mental health is an essential prerequisite for social participation, education, earning capacity and quality of life. A sustainable health policy must ensure psychotherapeutic care, consistently use scientific findings and sustainably finance the further education of young people.

The German Psychotherapy Congress is considered the largest German-language congress on clinical psychotherapy. It will be hosted in 2026 by the Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Division of the DGPs, unith e.V., the DPtV and the congress presidents Prof. Dr. Hanna Christiansen and Prof. Dr. Cornelia Weise.

Further information:

Home – German Psychotherapy Congress

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability ected.