Finding a self-help or support group in Germany
There are self-help groups for almost every topic in Germany – but nearly all of them meet in German. Here is how to find one anyway, step by step.
1. Ask a self-help contact point
Most cities and districts have a Selbsthilfe-Kontaktstelle – a free, confidential advice centre that knows the local groups, including many that aren't listed anywhere online. Tell them what you're looking for and that your German is limited. They can also tell you whether there's a group in English (or another language) nearby, or help you start one.
You can write to them in English. If you'd rather phone, a friend or colleague can help with the first call.
Find a contact point near you (page in German) →
2. Search the Selbsthilfe-Atlas
The results and group pages are in German. This short word list helps – each topic links to its German overview page:
| German (use this to search) | English |
|---|---|
| Selbsthilfegruppe | self-help group / support group |
| Selbsthilfe-Kontaktstelle | self-help contact point (free advice centre) |
| Gesprächskreis | discussion group |
| Angehörige | relatives, family members |
| Treffen | meeting |
| kostenlos | free of charge |
| Depression | depression |
| Angst & Panik | anxiety & panic |
| Sucht | addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling) |
| Trauma & Gewalterfahrung | trauma & experience of violence |
| Trauer | grief, bereavement |
| ADHS | ADHD |
| Autismus | autism |
| Demenz | dementia |
| Pflegende Angehörige | family carers |
| Krebs | cancer |
| Diabetes | diabetes |
| Essstörungen | eating disorders |
Your browser's translate function works well on our group pages, too.
3. English-speaking twelve-step meetings
For alcohol problems, English-speaking Alcoholics Anonymous is well established in Berlin: according to its own website there are more than 30 in-person and over 40 online meetings every week, plus a hotline at 030 3030 6688 (alcoholics-anonymous-berlin.de).
Elsewhere, the German AA hotline (030 206 29 82-12, daily 9 am to 9 pm, in German) can tell you about meetings near you. Online meetings work from anywhere.
4. Online groups
Many groups now meet online or offer both. That makes language and distance less of a problem: an online group in English may be easier to find than one in your town. On the Selbsthilfe-Atlas, every topic has an "online" page (for example Depression online).
5. Students and professionals
If you study in Germany, ask your university's student services whether they run counselling or peer groups in English. Larger employers sometimes offer confidential counselling for staff. Neither replaces a self-help group, but both can point you in the right direction.
A sentence for the first contact
„Guten Tag, ich suche eine Selbsthilfegruppe zum Thema … Ich spreche nur wenig Deutsch. Gibt es eine Gruppe auf Englisch – oder eine Gruppe, in der das in Ordnung ist?“
Learning German? Our page in Easy German (Leichte Sprache) explains self-help in very simple sentences.