Psychotherapy & Coaching Cologne |
Psychotherapie & Coaching Köln in English

With a focus on mindfulness, self-compassion, needs & boundaries

Hi, my name is Judith. With empathy and clarity, I help you explore your feelings and behavioral patterns – and find concrete steps for your personal growth.

In our sessions, you can freely express your feelings and thoughts without worrying about judgment. This can help you appreciate yourself more.

I aim for a balance between understanding and change. Together, we examine your behaviors and patterns and how they originated. We then find individual measures for your personal development, keeping your therapy or coaching goals in mind.

I follow a therapeutic approach rooted in evidence-based Client-Centered Psychotherapy, whilst also emphasizing mindfulness, developing self-compassion and understanding your needs and boundaries.

For my qualifications, and how to reach me, check the information at the end of this page.

For instance, I can help you with:

  • Recognizing and setting boundaries

  • Understanding and communicating your needs

  • Changing patterns and beliefs

  • Reducing fear of others' opinions, reducing people-pleasing, and overcoming emotional dependence

  • Overcoming attachment anxiety and building healthy relationships

  • Reducing self-comparisons and overcoming imposter syndrome

  • Exploring self-expectations, reducing performance-oriented thinking, and letting go of an over-achiever mindset

  • Preventing burnout and easing self-imposed pressure

  • Decreasing the feeling to be responsible for everything and the need to control

  • Managing stress and building resilience

  • Calming inner restlessness and breaking circular thoughts

  • Building self-assurance, serenity, balance, lightness, and peace

  • Increasing self-worth and confidence while overcoming self-doubt

  • Practicing self-compassion, finding self-acceptance, and treating yourself kindly

  • Connecting with your feelings, especially those often avoided (like anger, aggression, sadness, powerlessness, or shame)

  • Using empathy for others consciously

  • Processing past situations and relationships

  • Reflecting on your current situation and gaining an external perspective

“The curious paradox is
that when I accept myself just as I am,
then I can change.”

– Carl Rogers

Client-Centered Psychotherapy

I practice client-centered psychotherapy, an evidence-based method within humanistic psychotherapy. As a humanistic therapist, I believe everyone wants to grow personally, but fears, false beliefs, or behavior patterns can hinder you.

In our sessions I help you understand your behaviors, patterns, concerns, beliefs and needs. We explore both your current situation and your past, as early experiences from childhood and adolescence often shape adult actions and feelings.

I guide you in applying what you learn, facilitating changes in seemingly deadlocked situations and feelings. Instead of telling you who you are, I support you in finding your own solutions, promoting sustainable independent development.

Client-centered psychotherapy was developed by Carl Rogers and his colleagues in the middle of the 20th century. Scientific studies have shown that it is an effective treatment for the following mental illnesses: Affective disorders (e.g. depression), anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and somatic illnesses.

It is also very helpful and often used as the basis for coaching.

Elements of Client-Centered Psychotherapy

  • Unconditional Acceptance

    You can openly share your feelings, thoughts, and sensations without fear of judgment. This experience can help you appreciate yourself more.

  • Empathetic Understanding

    My task is to understand you as well as possible, assisting you in gaining self-insight. We explore your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, even those not fully conscious.

  • Authenticity of the Therapist

    I am myself in our conversations, not hiding behind a method or a protocol. I express myself as I think and feel, enabling us to build an honest relationship.

"Feelings come and go,
like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing is my anchor."

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness, Self-Compassion & Exercises

I use mindfulness, body awareness, breathing, and self-compassion in my work. As a yoga teacher, I include meditative exercises in therapy and coaching. For example sessions usually start with a mindfulness exercise related to your personal themes, incorporating short affirmations or healing phrases like "I am okay as I am" or "I am here."

This can help you with:

Cultivating mindful presence

You'll learn to be more present during our sessions, enabling a deeper exploration of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors for personal growth and positive changes.

Reducing stress and anxiety

Mindfulness and breathing techniques promote relaxation, reduce "fight or flight" responses, and can help you decrease overall stress. Focusing on the present can also assist you in letting go of excessive worry about the future and past rumination.

Regulating your emotions

By learning how to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you'll gain insights for a better understanding of yourself. This awareness can help you respond to challenging emotions in healthier ways.

Understanding the body-mind connection

Understanding the powerful connection between your mind and body is key to addressing physical symptoms and promoting overall well-being. This knowledge will allow you to cultivate a deeper awareness of how your body and mind influence each other.

Being more compassionate towards yourself

Being kind to yourself boosts mental health, resilience, and a positive self-image. This skill helps you navigate challenges and setbacks with greater self-care and acceptance.

I'm inspired by the work of therapist and Buddhist Tara Brach and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. I find the concept of Mindful Self-Compassion by Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer particularly helpful.

Additionally, I integrate cognitive-behavioral measures such as journaling or daily tasks. I believe regular practice is necessary for achieving and consolidating long-term changes.

Elements of Mindful Self-Compassion

  • Mindfulness

    Together, we neutrally explore your situation, examining your feelings, thoughts, fears, and self-judgments.

  • Common Humanity

    We consider how others might feel in your situation, which helps validating your thoughts and feelings.

  • Self-Kindness

    We find loving and supportive words and gestures to help you treat yourself more kindly and lovingly.

About Me

Couples Therapy Cologne Portrait of Judith Halbach

I believe that good relationships bring happiness and satisfaction – whether it's with ourselves or with others – in romance, friendships, family, or at work.

Helping people accept themselves and feel at ease in their own skin brings me immense joy. It often leads to more genuine and beautiful connections with others. Witnessing this transformation is what makes my job so fulfilling and gratifying.

Clients often appreciate my empathy and structure. Here I provide an overview of my qualifications. My non-linear career path has proven valuable in my therapeutic work.

My Qualifications

Integrative Couples Therapy
North German Couples Academy Hamburg
since 2023 

Humanistic Therapy
Client-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy
Thalamus Essen
2019-2021 

Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie
(Alternative Practitioner for Psychotherapy)
Cologne Health Department
2020 

Vinyasa Yoga Teacher
Vishnus Couch Cologne
2015-2016 

Diploma in Business Administration
University of Cologne
2006-2011

Let’s Connect!

I offer sessions at the following times
(in person and online):

  • Monday: 13:00-19:00

  • Tuesday: 14:00-21:00

  • Wednesday: 11:00-18:00

  • Friday: 10:00-17:00 (online only)

My practice is located in a quiet side street off Venloer Straße in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. It's easily accessible from Ehrenfeld train station and the Venloer Straße/Gürtel stop. 

Hansemannstrasse 20
50823 Cologne

To schedule a session, please send me an e-mail:

halbach@judithhalbach.de

Let me know which of the above mentioned times generally work for you, and I will send you appointment suggestions.

Also, feel free to briefly mention the reason(s) why you’re contacting me.

If you have any questions that you would prefer to discuss over the phone, simply send me a short email, and I will call you back.