Psychological difficulties can make life feel increasingly constricted: thoughts may go round in circles, anxiety may begin to shape everyday life, relationships may become strained, or one may continue to function outwardly while feeling exhausted, empty or disconnected inside. Sometimes there is a clear precipitating event. Often, however, what emerges most strongly is the sense that something is no longer right and that it is difficult to find a way forward alone.
In my practice, I offer a confidential and protected space in which you can speak about what is troubling you — without having to justify yourself, pull yourself together or arrive at solutions too quickly. Together, we look at your present circumstances, recurring patterns in relationships and inner conflicts that may have been at work for a long time.
About me
Prof. Dr.
Thomas Kretschmar
M.A. Psychology, Graduate in Business Administration, Psychoanalyst · Psychological Psychotherapist
My approach to psychotherapy is grounded in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic thinking. It is based on the understanding that psychological symptoms are not simply problems to be removed, but are often meaningful responses to inner pressures, unresolved conflicts or earlier experiences. As these connections become clearer, new possibilities can open up: greater clarity, stronger self-confidence, less anxiety and more freedom to approach relationships and one's life differently.
This is not about changing you or telling you how you ought to live. It is about understanding together what is weighing on you, what has helped to protect you, what you may have had to carry alone until now, and what might enable you to feel more at home within yourself again.
I work with adults experiencing significant psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, exhaustion, acute crises, and longstanding difficulties in relationships or self-esteem. In an initial consultation, we can consider carefully whether psychotherapy would be helpful and, if so, which form of therapy may be most appropriate for you.
Today, my work focuses predominantly on treating mental health conditions through psychotherapy. Drawing on my earlier business experience, I can also offer coaching for currently employed executives (no career counselling funded by employment-agency vouchers).
Member of the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists
Qualification as a psychoanalyst according to the criteria of the DPG, DGPT, and IPV
Licensed psychological psychotherapist following the state examination at the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo)
Worked as a psychotherapist in training at the outpatient clinic of the IfP Institute for Psychotherapy e.V., Berlin
Advanced training in depth psychology-based and analytic psychotherapy at the IfP Institute for Psychotherapy e.V., Berlin
Worked as a psychologist as part of specialist training at St. Hedwig Hospital, Wedding Day Clinic, Berlin
Lecturer in psychology, specializing in OPD, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna
Further training in Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics (OPD), Berlin
Master’s degree in psychology, graduating with an M.A. in Psychology from the International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating with a B.Sc. in Psychology from Sigmund Freud University, Berlin
Civilian service, Clinical Neuropsychology, University Medical Centre Göttingen
Qualifications in Psychotherapy
Multiple qualifications as a senior coach
Managing Director of the Mind Institute SE, Berlin, for 12 years, specialising in psychoanalytic business coaching.
Lecturer in Psychoanalysis in Business, National Research University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow
Founder and CEO, for 11 years, of Hypoport SE, Berlin
C3 Professor of Economics, University of Applied Sciences and Economics (HTW), Berlin
Member of the Management Board, Droege & Comp. International Business Consulting, Düsseldorf
Lecturer in Business Diagnostics, Georg-August University, Göttingen
Doctorate (Dr. rer. pol.), Georg-August University, Göttingen
Business Administration studies (Dipl.-Kfm.), Georg-August University, Göttingen
Prior qualifications for coaching
