Treating depression in Vienna

Psychotherapy for depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems. Almost one in five people suffer from depression at least once in their lives for a prolonged period of time. Depression changes the physiological processes of those affected, as well as their thoughts, feelings and behavior. If depression is recognized early, it can be treated well with psychotherapy and medication. Most people are familiar with sadness, despair and low mood as a result of an upset or experience of loss. In the case of depression, however, the symptoms are much more pronounced and persist without treatment.

JUVENIS meeting room Psychotherapy for depression

Treatments & therapies

At the JUVENIS Medical Center, competent psychotherapists and psychologists are available to assist you in the treatment of depression. Our range of therapies covers this field:

Depression & depressive disorders

What is depression?

A depression (depressive episode) is present when several of the following characteristics are consistently present for more than two weeks: depressed mood, low spirits, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, joylessness, inner emptiness, reduced drive, loss of activity, irritability, inner restlessness, reduced concentration and attention, reduced self-esteem and self-confidence, feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness, negative, pessimistic outlook on the future, suicidal thoughts, self-harm or suicidal acts, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, early morning awakenings, reduced appetite (weight loss), lack/loss of sexual interest, social withdrawal.

If left untreated, the symptoms reinforce each other. Depending on the number and severity of the symptoms, a depressive episode can be classified as mild, moderate or severe. Various physical symptoms can also occur, such as pain (head, back, arms, legs, etc.), heart problems, digestive problems, a feeling of pressure in the chest, nausea, etc. The type, frequency and severity of the individual symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Depressive episode or depressive disorder?

If the symptoms occur for the first time, this is referred to as a depressive episode. If, on the other hand, depressive symptoms have already occurred in the past, a recurrent depressive disorder is diagnosed. If the symptoms are only mild and last for years, they are referred to as dysthymia.

Possible triggers for depression include family stress, deaths, divorces, separations, etc. However, whether stressful life events trigger depression also depends on the biological constitution (especially brain metabolism) and personality of the person affected.

Depression can occur in conjunction with numerous other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, addictions, personality disorders, compulsions or eating disorders. A mental illness may be the result of the depression (e.g. an attempt at self-treatment with alcohol) or the depression may be the result of another illness (e.g. an untreated anxiety disorder or personality disorder).

Treatment methods of behavioral therapy

Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (VT) by Hilde Winkler and Dorothea Bertram

Each treatment is preceded by a detailed medical history and diagnostics (differential diagnostics). Medical examinations are useful in order to rule out possible organic causes (e.g. hypothyroidism or other hormonal disorders). As part of psychotherapy, an individual explanatory model is created which provides insight into the development of the disorder. This takes into account pre-existing risk factors (e.g. stressful family environment, learned helplessness or early experiences of loss) as well as triggers (e.g. death, job loss or separation) and maintaining factors (e.g. persistent interpersonal conflicts, unfavorable coping behavior or personality disorders) of the illness, which receive special attention during treatment.

  • Therapeutic relationship: The relationship between client and psychotherapist is an important factor in treatment. Within this framework, problems from the entire lifespan, i.e. stresses from childhood, difficulties in current life and fears/anxieties about the future, can be dealt with. The therapist provides support in coping and tries to maintain a balance between change and stabilization. The better the therapeutic relationship, the more trust the client gains in the therapist over time, the more successful the therapy will be.

Hilde Winkler at JUVENIS
Dorothea Bertram at JUVENIS

  • Psychoeducation: The patient is given information about depression, its development, possible progression and maintenance of symptoms, as well as treatment options. An individualized model of the disorder is created to promote the patient's understanding of the problem. The patient should become an expert on her illness. It has been proven that the patient's knowledge of the disorder has a positive influence on the healing process.

  • Cognitive therapy: Most depressed patients experience changes in perception and thinking. Their own person ("I'm worthless", "I can't do anything", "I'm a failure"), the environment ("my job is just stressing me out", "my friends don't contact me anymore either") and the future ("nothing will get better", "it's hopeless") are evaluated negatively. Positive things are hardly noticed, negative things are over-interpreted. These negative thoughts, catastrophic thoughts and negative evaluations are identified and questioned using cognitive (cognition = thought) techniques, checked for their reality content and "restructured" (i.e. replaced by reality-based thoughts).

  • Dealing with the background problems: Particular attention must be paid to the circumstances that triggered and perpetuated the depression, e.g. job loss, dispute, death, divorce or separation.

  • Relaxation methods: Learning a relaxation method can also prove helpful for depressed patients, especially if anxiety or physical tension is the main issue.

  • Increase in activity: Social withdrawal and a decrease in activity or neglect of hobbies can be observed in most of those affected. Together with the patient, we discuss which activities they used to enjoy and what social contacts they have. These activities need to be incorporated back into everyday life. The therapist motivates the patient to implement them. Positive activities have been shown to have a positive effect on thoughts and mood. In addition, so-called euthymic methods are used to promote the patient's ability to enjoy themselves.

  • Other methods: Depending on the individual problem (e.g. personality problems, severe anxiety), other psychotherapeutic methods may be used in specific cases.

  • Drug therapy: Severe depression must also be treated with medication in any case. A combination therapy consisting of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is most successful. Drug therapy is carried out by a specialist in psychiatry.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Treatment methods of behavioral therapy

Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (VT) by Hilde Winkler and Dorothea Bertram

Each treatment is preceded by a detailed medical history and diagnostics (differential diagnostics). Medical examinations are useful in order to rule out possible organic causes (e.g. hypothyroidism or other hormonal disorders). As part of psychotherapy, an individual explanatory model is created which provides insight into the development of the disorder. This takes into account pre-existing risk factors (e.g. stressful family environment, learned helplessness or early experiences of loss) as well as triggers (e.g. death, job loss or separation) and maintaining factors (e.g. persistent interpersonal conflicts, unfavorable coping behavior or personality disorders) of the illness, which receive special attention during treatment.

Hilde Winkler at JUVENIS
Dorothea Bertram at JUVENIS

  • Therapeutic relationship: The relationship between client and psychotherapist is an important factor in treatment. Within this framework, problems from the entire lifespan, i.e. stresses from childhood, difficulties in current life and fears/anxieties about the future, can be dealt with. The therapist provides support in coping and tries to maintain a balance between change and stabilization. The better the therapeutic relationship, the more trust the client gains in the therapist over time, the more successful the therapy will be.

  • Psychoeducation: The patient is given information about depression, its development, possible progression and maintenance of symptoms, as well as treatment options. An individualized model of the disorder is created to promote the patient's understanding of the problem. The patient should become an expert on her illness. It has been proven that the patient's knowledge of the disorder has a positive influence on the healing process.

  • Cognitive therapy: Most depressed patients experience changes in perception and thinking. Their own person ("I'm worthless", "I can't do anything", "I'm a failure"), the environment ("my job is just stressing me out", "my friends don't contact me anymore either") and the future ("nothing will get better", "it's hopeless") are evaluated negatively. Positive things are hardly noticed, negative things are over-interpreted. These negative thoughts, catastrophic thoughts and negative evaluations are identified and questioned using cognitive (cognition = thought) techniques, checked for their reality content and "restructured" (i.e. replaced by reality-based thoughts).

  • Dealing with the background problems: Particular attention must be paid to the circumstances that triggered and perpetuated the depression, e.g. job loss, dispute, death, divorce or separation.

  • Relaxation methods: Learning a relaxation method can also prove helpful for depressed patients, especially if anxiety or physical tension is the main issue.

  • Increase in activity: Social withdrawal and a decrease in activity or neglect of hobbies can be observed in most of those affected. Together with the patient, we discuss which activities they used to enjoy and what social contacts they have. These activities need to be incorporated back into everyday life. The therapist motivates the patient to implement them. Positive activities have been shown to have a positive effect on thoughts and mood. In addition, so-called euthymic methods are used to promote the patient's ability to enjoy themselves.

  • Other methods: Depending on the individual problem (e.g. personality problems, severe anxiety), other psychotherapeutic methods may be used in specific cases.

  • Drug therapy: Severe depression must also be treated with medication in any case. A combination therapy consisting of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is most successful. Drug therapy is carried out by a specialist in psychiatry.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Costs

Treatment Price
1 therapy session for depression (50 minutes) with Mag. Hilde Winkler or Mag. Dorothea Bertram for new patients € 130
1 therapy session for depression (50 minutes) with Hilde Winkler or Dorothea Bertram for existing patients € 120

The usual frequency is one therapy session per week. A partial refund of the costs from your health insurance company is possible if you have a mental disorder that qualifies as an illness.

Some private supplementary insurance policies often cover part of the costs—however, patients should check with their supplementary insurance provider. It is also possible to claim clinical psychological treatment as an extraordinary expense for tax purposes.

FAQs

Depression is a serious mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and low energy. It can significantly interfere with daily life, thinking, and behavior.

The most common signs include:

  • low spirits or sadness

  • Loss of interest and joy

  • Lack of motivation and exhaustion

  • Sleep disorders

  • concentration problems

  • negative thoughts or hopelessness

If your symptoms persist for several weeks, interfere with your daily life, or worsen, you should seek professional help as soon as possible.

Treatment is tailored to each individual and may include:

  • psychotherapy sessions

  • Behavioral therapy or other forms of therapy

  • Support in coping with stressful situations

The goal is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

The process begins with a thorough medical history review and diagnostic evaluation. Following this, a personalized treatment plan is developed. Treatment takes place in regular sessions and is tailored to your needs.

In many cases, depression is highly treatable. With the right treatment, symptoms can be significantly reduced or completely overcome.

The duration depends on the severity of the condition and individual circumstances. Treatment often lasts several weeks to several months.

The following measures may be helpful:

  • regular exercise

  • structured daily routine

  • maintain social contacts

  • Relaxation exercises

  • healthy lifestyle

Yes. All consultations and treatments are subject to medical confidentiality and are treated as strictly confidential.

Psychotherapy generally has few side effects. If medication is prescribed, any potential side effects will be discussed on an individual basis.

The cost depends on the scope of the therapy and the number of sessions. A therapy session (50 minutes) with Mag. Hilde Winkler or Mag. Dorothea Bertram costs €130 for new patients and €120 for existing patients.

You can get the exact prices during a personal consultation.

Depending on the type of treatment, your health insurance may cover some or all of the costs.

At JUVENIS, you will be cared for by experienced medical specialists and therapists . Through personalized treatment approaches, modern therapeutic methods, and compassionate support, we strive to achieve lasting improvements in your mental health and quality of life.

Here, we’ve answered the most common questions about psychotherapy for depression . If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us atempfang@juvenismed.at or by phone at +43 1 236 3020.

Team

Hilde Winkler

Mag.Hilde Winkler

Psychotherapist (behavioral therapy), clinical and health psychologist, occupational psychologist
Curriculum vitae
Private photo

Mag.Dorothea Bertram

Clinical and health psychologist, psychotherapist (behavioral therapy)
Curriculum vitae

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