Many people who are faced with the decision to start psychotherapy ask themselves: Do I really need psychotherapy? Can't I solve my problems on my own? Maybe I'll soon feel better all by myself..."

Difficult times are part of life and everyone has overcome their own crises, either through their own efforts or with the support of family or friends. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to seek help from professionals to find the right path again during a mental health crisis. This is because psychological difficulties can develop a momentum of their own, which the individual can hardly escape without help. Chronic physical illnesses can also lead to interactions between psychological conflicts and somatic symptoms.

It is sometimes difficult for parents to tell whether their children's problems are "normal" developmental difficulties or whether psychotherapeutic help is needed. Some events in life can be so stressful for children or adolescents that psychotherapeutic support is necessary. This can be the case, for example, with

• Separation of parents
• the birth of a sibling
• the death of a family member
• a serious illness
• other drastic events

But of course, emotional difficulties can also occur independently of clearly recognisable changes in the environment.