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Psychological counseling in Essen (online).Now.For students.

Studifit counsels students and apprentices in Essen by video, with no travel and usually an appointment within a few days. For all universities in the city, for example Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE), Folkwang Universität der Künste and FOM Hochschule.

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Psychological counseling for students in Essen, Studifit

Studying in Essen

Psychological counseling for students in Essen

Students in Essen get free psychological counseling at the Studierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg. Sessions take place on site, by phone or by video and are open to students of the Universität Duisburg-Essen, the Folkwang Universität der Künste and the Hochschule Ruhr West. UDE students can also use the free psychological counseling of the Akademisches Beratungs-Zentrum (ABZ, academic advisory center).

About 38,000 people study in Essen (winter semester 2024/25, according to the preliminary figures of the Federal Statistical Office). Here you see where you can get support in Essen, the free services first. A Studierendenwerk is the student services organization that looks after the universities of a region; many of them run their own counseling services.

Universities in Essen

  • Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE)
  • Folkwang Universität der Künste
  • FOM Hochschule

Ask your university which counseling service is responsible for you. Some services are only for one university.

Free counseling in Essen

Your first stop in Essen is the counseling service of the Studierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg. There is an open phone consultation hour without registration. The current times are on the counseling service’s page.

Go to the counseling service’s page

Your Studierendenwerk (student services organization) counsels for free. If you have to wait there or only have time in the evening, we are here.

The ABZ’s psychological counseling is on the Essen campus. You book a first appointment online directly with a counselor, also in English, and with one substitute also in Spanish. The Studierendenwerk also has open phone hours without an appointment. The FOM Hochschule has its seat in Essen, but the Studierendenwerk’s counseling center does not list it: if you study there, ask your own university. The UDE’s university clinic treats adults, covered by health insurance.

All places to go in Essen at a glance

Where students and apprentices in Essen can go
Where to goCostHow to get an appointment
StudierendenwerkStudierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg: Psychologische BeratungFree, with confidentialityAppointment online, by email or by phone. Sessions on site, by phone or by video, plus open phone hours without an appointment.
Counseling for studentsUniversität Duisburg-Essen: Psychologische Beratung des Akademischen Beratungs-Zentrums (ABZ)FreeBook a first appointment online through a counselor’s booking link; sessions online or on the Essen campus, also in English
University clinicUniversität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Psychologie: Hochschulambulanz für Psychische Gesundheit (HPG)Covered by health insurance; generally paid by statutory insurersTreatment requests during the phone hours. Behavioral therapy for adults, a separate service up to age 20.
For apprenticesIHK zu Essen: Azubi-SOSNot statedConfidential, with advice and legal information; the training advisors mediate and arbitrate. Contact through a form.
For apprenticesHandwerkskammer Düsseldorf: AusbildungsberatungNot statedConfidential, anonymous if you wish, for problems at work or at vocational school
In a crisisTelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111Free24/7, anonymous, in German, also by chat

Information as of November 4, 2026. Office hours and phone numbers change; the linked page always has the current ones.

When you need more than counseling: university clinic (Hochschulambulanz)

A Hochschulambulanz is a psychotherapy clinic run by a university. It offers psychotherapy if you have a mental illness, and health insurance pays for it. There is often a wait, so reach out early.

Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Psychologie

Hochschulambulanz für Psychische Gesundheit (HPG)

Cost
Covered by health insurance; generally paid by statutory insurers
How to get an appointment
Treatment requests during the phone hours. Behavioral therapy for adults, a separate service up to age 20.
Go to page: Hochschulambulanz für Psychische Gesundheit (HPG)

For apprentices in Essen

Apprentices have no Studierendenwerk. For problems at work, with your training or at vocational school, the training advisors (Ausbildungsberatung) at your chamber can help: the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or the Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Skilled Crafts). They are neutral and hear both sides. Training advice is a legal duty of the chambers (Section 76 of the Vocational Training Act). If you are struggling emotionally, your family doctor is a good first point of contact. The 116 117 service arranges appointments for an initial psychotherapy consultation.

IHK zu Essen

Azubi-SOS

Cost
Not stated on the page
How to get an appointment
Confidential, with advice and legal information; the training advisors mediate and arbitrate. Contact through a form.
Go to page: Azubi-SOS

Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf

Ausbildungsberatung

Cost
Not stated on the page
How to get an appointment
Confidential, anonymous if you wish, for problems at work or at vocational school
Go to page: Ausbildungsberatung
About Studifit

What is Studifit?

Psychological counseling
that prevents mental health crises before they start.

At Studifit, you talk to counselors with a bachelor's degree in psychology, supervised by licensed psychotherapists. Many of them have only just finished their own degree or are in a master's program right now. Studifit is Psychofit's service just for students and apprentices, in one-on-one video sessions. For example on topics like these:offering from Psychofit

Stress · Overload

Classes, work, deadlines: it all hits at the same time.

Which of these doesn't actually have to happen this week?

Note: unlike psychotherapy, we make no diagnoses and do not treat acute mental disorders that require medical treatment.

Our strengths

Why Studifit?

Three principles. So you know how we work.

Evidence-based.

  • Supervision by licensed psychotherapists
  • B.Sc. Psychology (min.)
  • Evidence-based methods

All counselors hold at least a bachelor's degree in psychology, and many are continuing with a master's. They work with evidence-based methods and are continuously supervised by licensed psychotherapists.

Personal.

  • Your goals, your pace
  • Close to student and trainee life
  • One-on-one video sessions
  • Matching

You and your counselor decide on goals, frequency and approach together. Many counselors have only just finished their own degree and know exam season, thesis writing and part-time jobs from their own experience. On request, our matching suggests the counselors who fit your concern.

Confidential.

  • No health record entries
  • Your school and employer learn nothing
  • Privacy is our priority

Session contents stay between you and your counselor. Your college, your training company, your family and your health insurer learn nothing about the counseling. Our website and database run on servers in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

It's this simple

Two steps to mental well-being

Mental well-being is not a luxury.

Optional

Non-binding consultation call so the fit is right.

  • Fit-check with our offering
  • We answer your questions
  • We find the right counselor for you
  • Takes place by phone
  • This is not a psychological counseling session

No consultation needed? Book your first session now

free | 10 minutes

Book consultation
1

First session: Meet your counselor & set goals.

First session

Autumn offer

€25€1 | 50 min.

*Promotional price for the first session, extended until 15 November 2026.

Money-back guarantee: Not satisfied? Full refund for every session.
Book first session
2

Further sessions: Work sustainably on your goals.

Per session

€39 | 50 min.

One-time price for a second session within 14 days: €29

Money-back guarantee: Not satisfied? Full refund for every session.
All prices and packages
Testimonials

What our clients say

These voices come from people who had counseling with Psychofit or Studifit. Studifit is offered by Psychofit: the same counselors, the same supervision, the same guarantee.

★★★★★

Finally, something affordable for students

„I thought long and hard about whether I should seek professional help. Therapists’ waiting lists are endless, and as a student, paying out of pocket isn’t really an option. The counseling center at the university has been overwhelmed for months, so you can’t get an appointment there either. Then I came across Psychofit through a friend, and the 7-day money-back guarantee convinced me to just give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll get my money back, so what’s the harm? They also offer a free introductory session, but I didn’t need it because I wanted to start right away. I’ve had three sessions now and I’m surprised. The counselor listened, understood what was going on, and gave me tools that have really helped me. €25 per session, including follow-up sessions if you submit your student ID. The regular price would be €49. Verification was straightforward. And you decide for yourself when and if you want to continue—no subscription, no pressure. I can recommend this to anyone who’s unsure; the guarantee takes the risk out of it.“

★★★★★

Warmth, humour and expertise

„Despite or because of their young age, the counselor is very attentive, helpful and appreciative. The counselor makes a real effort to support me in their counseling role and stays on equal footing despite their professional role. That matters a lot to me. I honestly cannot think of anything to improve with the counselor. They are always reliable with me and take their notes on me. They also show warmth, humour and expertise, which is just as important for me to feel safe. Despite my many experiences of my own, I have taken away quite a lot of focus and a view of things as they are, as a change for me. Especially when it comes to my fears. For me, young therapists sometimes have the positive quality, in helping me, of seeing the world with more flexible and open eyes and in the end of pointing out (the counselor) that the world is basically safe, even when things are shaky on the inside. Thanks to the counselor“

Anonymous
Psychofit feedback
★★★★★

Preventive care, like at the dentist

„I wasn't doing badly. That's exactly why I booked. Work, sports, family, everything was going well. Still, I was curious: I want to understand why I tick the way I do. And I wanted to know what keeps me stable before I ever need it. A friend who does therapeutic work herself said: Do it like you would with the dentist. Go before it hurts. I was looking for a neutral voice from the outside. Someone who isn't part of my life and sees more clearly precisely because of that. Without a diagnosis, and without anyone bringing up therapy right away. My counselor explained connections to me that I had never heard before. We figured out what gives me strength and what I do when things get tight. I passed a few of these things on to friends long ago. In the end, more people benefit than just me. I now have an appointment every few weeks. Not because I'm doing badly, but so that it stays that way.“

All reviews come from people who had an appointment with us. Trustpilot reviews link to the original; anonymous ones were sent to us directly after an appointment. We replace names with a general term so that no one can be traced.

Note: the original reviews are in German. The English quotes shown here are our translations for readability.

Ready for your first step towards mental well-being?

Frequently asked questions

Is psychological counseling for students in Essen free?

Studierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg, Psychologische Beratung: Free, with confidentiality. Psychotherapy at a university clinic (Hochschulambulanz) is covered by health insurance.

Where do apprentices in Essen get help?

Apprentices have no Studierendenwerk. For problems at work, the training advisors of the IHK zu Essen and the Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf can help. The appointment service at 116 117 arranges an appointment for an initial psychotherapy consultation. Studifit counsels apprentices just like students.

Is Studifit psychotherapy?

No. Studifit is psychological counseling by video with counselors who have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and work under the supervision of licensed psychotherapists. We do not make diagnoses. Health insurance does not cover the counseling. If you have a mental illness, please keep looking for a therapist at the same time, for example at a university clinic or through 116 117.

If things are really bad right now

TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111, free, 24/7, anonymous, in German. On-call medical service 116 117. If your life or someone else's is in immediate danger: emergency number 112. More on our page In a crisis.

Psychological counseling for students in your city

Studifit counsels by video, wherever in Germany you study or do vocational training. Here you also find the free services near you.

Your city is not listed? Counseling for students nationwide shows the counseling services of all Studierendenwerke.

Wherever you study: start now with your first session.