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JUVENIS vouchersTreating 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.
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.
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.
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 Hilde Winkler or Dorothea Bertram | € 110 |
The usual frequency is one therapy session per week. The costs of "clinical psychological treatment" are not reimbursed by health insurance. 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 deduct clinical psychological treatment from your taxes as an extraordinary expense.
Integrative therapeutic approach to depression
Integrative therapy approach with Mag. Sonja Knefel
Integrative psychotherapy for depression takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining methods from different schools of therapy such as behavioral therapy, depth psychology, and Gestalt therapy to provide a tailor-made therapy for the patient.
Key aspects of integrative treatment
Effectiveness and status in 2025
Research indicates that integrating different therapeutic methods achieves greater effectiveness than monotherapeutic approaches. Accordingly, integrative methods, such as interpersonal psychotherapy, are recognized as evidence-based treatment options for depression.
Advantages over conventional methods:
The biopsychosocial model
The biopsychosocial model does not view depression as an exclusively biological or psychological illness, but rather as the result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors. These levels influence each other and can both create self-reinforcing problem dynamics ("vicious circles") and be interrupted by protective factors. This highlights the need for a holistic, multidimensional treatment approach.
The three levels at a glance:
Interaction and vicious circle formation
A social stressor can activate an existing biological vulnerability, which in turn promotes negative cognitive evaluations. These negative thoughts intensify the individual's stress response and encourage social withdrawal. The resulting social isolation hinders adaptive coping strategies, intensifies feelings of hopelessness, and leads to further activation of biological stress mechanisms.
Significance for treatment
The biopsychosocial model highlights the need for a holistic therapeutic approach that takes biological, psychological, and social factors into account in equal measure. Accordingly, effective treatment usually involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and social support measures. The aim is to break existing dysfunctional interactions and vicious circles while strengthening protective factors at all levels.
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.
Integrative therapeutic approach to depression
Integrative therapy approach with Mag. Sonja Knefel
Integrative psychotherapy for depression takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining methods from different schools of therapy such as behavioral therapy, depth psychology, and Gestalt therapy to provide a tailor-made therapy for the patient.
Key aspects of integrative treatment
Effectiveness and status in 2025
Research indicates that integrating different therapeutic methods achieves greater effectiveness than monotherapeutic approaches. Accordingly, integrative methods, such as interpersonal psychotherapy, are recognized as evidence-based treatment options for depression.
Advantages over conventional methods:
The biopsychosocial model
The biopsychosocial model does not view depression as an exclusively biological or psychological illness, but rather as the result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors. These levels influence each other and can both create self-reinforcing problem dynamics ("vicious circles") and be interrupted by protective factors. This highlights the need for a holistic, multidimensional treatment approach.
The three levels at a glance:
Interaction and vicious circle formation
A social stressor can activate an existing biological vulnerability, which in turn promotes negative cognitive evaluations. These negative thoughts intensify the individual's stress response and encourage social withdrawal. The resulting social isolation hinders adaptive coping strategies, intensifies feelings of hopelessness, and leads to further activation of biological stress mechanisms.
Significance for treatment
The biopsychosocial model highlights the need for a holistic therapeutic approach that takes biological, psychological, and social factors into account in equal measure. Accordingly, effective treatment usually involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and social support measures. The aim is to break existing dysfunctional interactions and vicious circles while strengthening protective factors at all levels.
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. Sonja Knefel | € 180 |
The usual frequency is one therapy session per week. The costs of "clinical psychological treatment" are not reimbursed by health insurance. 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 deduct clinical psychological treatment from your taxes as an extraordinary expense.
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Responsible for the content of this page: Hilde Winkler, Dorothea Bertram, and Sonja Knefel