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The Psychotherapeutenkammer Hessen (PTK Hessen) was founded in 2001 and is the professional representation of over 7,000 Psychological Psychotherapists and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists in Hessen. As a corporation under public law with self-administration, it assumes legally defined tasks that would otherwise be the responsibility of the legislator, such as regulating the practice of the profession, monitoring professional duties and ensuring quality in psychotherapy.[1][2]
The chamber represents the interests of its members – including self-employed, employed and trainee psychotherapists – and advocates for better working conditions, security of care and professional policy improvements. The central include:
The chamber regulates the practice of the profession, preserves the reputation of the profession and provides timely information about developments, for example through interventions in the event of changes in the law such as the recent reduction of bureaucracy in the Heilberufsgesetz (less red tape for parental leave).[7]
The main mission of PTK Hessen aims at de-stigmatizing mental illnesses and improving the care of the mentally ill. It is actively involved in health debates, maintains exchanges with state politicians and journalists for broad coverage and clearly positions itself for the concerns of around 7,000 professionals. Core values are professionalism, ethics, evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration – from private practice to clinics and counseling centers.[1][2]
The chamber is headed by a board, led by President Dr. Heike Winter (Psychological Psychotherapist and Behavioral Therapist). Other members are Prof. Dr. Rudolf Stark (Psychotherapy and Systemic Neuroscience), Sabine Wald (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy) and Birgit Wiesemüller (Behavioral Therapy and Integrative Approaches). The office under Managing Director Olaf Diederichs coordinates administration, training and communication.[3][4]
An organizational chart with specialist committees (e.g. ethics, quality assurance, science) ensures broad representation: Over a third of the members are employed, which underlines the focus on institutional psychotherapy. Annual meetings with federal structures promote nationwide synergies.[5][6]
Although explicit sustainability goals are not at the forefront, the chamber integrates forward-looking initiatives: It fights for sustainable financing of further education (e.g. demo with 450 participants in January 2026), better future prospects in psychotherapy and reduction of bureaucratic hurdles. In the long term, this creates stable structures for high-quality, accessible care – especially for children, adolescents and the mentally ill. By taking positions on laws and remuneration systems, it contributes to the social sustainability of psychotherapy.[2][5][7]
PTK Hessen is therefore an indispensable guarantor for strong, ethical and future-oriented psychotherapy in Hessen: It connects professionals, shapes politics and destigmatizes mental health.[1][2]
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