Self-help and support groups in Germany
All over Germany, people who share the same illness, problem or life situation meet regularly in small groups – to talk, to listen and to support each other. In German these are called Selbsthilfegruppen. This page explains what to expect, in plain English.
What is a self-help group?
You may know the idea as a support group or peer support group. The German term translates literally as self-help group. Both mean the same thing: people affected by the same issue – depression, addiction, ADHD, cancer, grief, a chronic illness – or their partners and families, who meet as equals.
- Run by the members. There is usually no therapist or doctor leading the meeting. Someone from the group keeps an eye on time and rules, but nobody is your "case manager".
- Usually free. At most there is a small contribution for coffee or the room. You need no referral, no health insurance card and no registration.
- Not therapy. A group does not replace medical or psychological treatment. Many people find it a valuable addition – the feeling of "they actually get it" is hard to find anywhere else.
What happens at a first meeting?
- Get in touch first. Send a short email or call. Times and places change, and some groups take new members only at certain times.
- A small circle. Most groups sit together for one to two hours. You introduce yourself with your first name – that's enough.
- Listening is fine. Nobody has to tell their story on day one. Many newcomers just listen.
- Confidentiality. What is said in the group stays in the group. People speak about their own experience rather than giving advice.
- Give it time. Every group has its own atmosphere. Try two or three meetings before you decide.
Twelve-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Al-Anon (for relatives) follow a fixed format with readings and short turns. Other groups are more like an open conversation.
The honest part: language
Almost all groups in Germany meet in German. English-speaking meetings exist mainly in big cities – especially twelve-step meetings – and online. If your German is basic, it is still worth asking: some groups are happy to slow down or switch to English for a moment. How to find a group →
Expats, students, skilled workers
Moving to another country can be lonely: family is far away, friends are in another time zone, and the health system works differently. That's exactly when a group of people who understand can help – whether it's about burnout in a new job, a diagnosis you received abroad, a child with special needs, or caring for a parent back home from a distance.
Self-help group, guided group, group therapy
| Type | Who leads it | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Self-help group (Selbsthilfegruppe) | the members themselves | usually free |
| Guided support group (angeleitete Gruppe), e.g. at a clinic or counselling centre | a social worker, nurse or psychologist | often free, sometimes a fee |
| Group therapy (Gruppentherapie) | a licensed psychotherapist | usually covered by health insurance |
The Selbsthilfe-Atlas lists self-help groups and some guided groups – each with its source. If you need help right now, see crisis help →