Find Calm. Feel Safe.




Psychological Support for Anxiety.
Online and In-Person.



Sometimes, anxiety overcomes us without us understanding the reason behind it. It tightens our experience, takes away the ease of life, and burdens our daily existence. In such cases, targeted support can help calm the body, organise the mind, and restore a sense of safety. Anxiety often manifests through the following symptoms:

  • Social situations or challenges become overwhelming.
  • Worries seem impossible to switch off.
  • Restlessness or tension dominates daily life.
  • Decision-making becomes difficult, driven by the fear of making the wrong choice.
  • Energy, clarity, and sleep quality diminish.

The good news is that anxiety can be regulated and transformed. Step by step, at Follow The River, we find secure paths towards independence from anxiety and a self-determined life.

Scientifically Grounded & Individually Tailored.


Anxiety is not just in the mind. It resides in the body, the nervous system, and automatic reactions. It cannot simply be "thought away"—but it can be transformed. My approach to anxiety combines methods that offer effective relief:

  • Hypnosystemic Approach – Reframing anxious thought patterns.
  • Embodiment Practices – Calming the nervous system.
  • Solution-focused Methods – Clear strategies for greater safety, serenity, and self-confidence.

Counselling support at Follow The River can help you regain your footing.

Background


Change is possible—not only shown by research but also through the positive transformations I witness in my clients.

I am Benedikt Schmidt, a clinical psychologist with experience in research, coaching, and therapy. My journey took me from depression research at Vienna General Hospital to positive psychology with Professor Ilona Boniwell in Paris. I specialise in the interactions between anxiety, resilience, and emotional experience—both in terms of what burdens us and what strengthens us.

Today, I work at Heidelberg University Hospital and in private practice, where I assist individuals seeking stability, clarity, and ease. At Follow The River, I apply scientifically grounded methods within the framework of the Heilpraktiker law.

For more information about my background and qualifications, please click here.

What Clients Say


Richard
Board member of a real estate cooperative, Berlin

Benedikt is persistently friendly, well-structured, and always empathetic. His toolbox is well-stocked, and his hypno-systemic sessions are both pleasant and effective. We work via video, almost exclusively on the audio track, and that works excellently. He takes notes on my topics, which I find helpful. It's surprising that the issues we successfully address are usually forgotten by me by the time of our next session. I am an economist, systemic coach (SG) and supervisor (SG). I found Benedikt through Google and trusted his qualifications. It was a good choice. I am very satisfied with his work.

Anonymous
Pianist, Berlin

Setting a goal at the start of each session, about what would a good outcome look like, helped us to find clear direction and focus. I found this useful as it gave me the chance to go deeper and get closer to the core of my thoughts and feelings.

Baptiste Barennes
Naturopath, Versailles

Benedikt Schmidt enables you to go deep inside yourself to find the answers there. For this, he relies mainly on the sensation of the body. I had two inner directions on a topic and was able to understand what each side wanted for me. And that was liberating; that is something I can use all my life.

C. Moores
Journalist, Lisbon

After months of stress and burnout, I just closed a long chapter. Working with you made space for more clarity and a growing sense of alignment. I came to see that much of my fatigue came from processing everything in my head, without truly going inside. So much energy went into performing, fixing, planning, instead of simply feeling. I'm deeply grateful for what you brought into this process: the meditations, the music, your invitations, wisdom, humor, perspective, and presence. At some point, the work helped me meet parts of myself I had long overlooked, and relate to them with more curiosity, softness, and respect. I feel genuinely lucky our paths crossed. You’ve helped me unlocked such a big weight I was carrying.

M. W.
Managing Director

Having carried significant responsibility throughout my life, I never expected low moods to strike me so profoundly. Working with Mr Schmidt has helped me regain my emotional balance and given me a new perspective on myself.

Hamza
IT Professional, Casablanca

I started working with Mr Schmidt after a deeply distressing experience that left me feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. His thoughtful guidance, patience, and ability to create a safe space helped me regain a sense of stability and integration. This journey is ongoing, but I am truly grateful to have Mr Schmidt as a trusted companion along the way.

Robert S.
Media Professional, Berlin

Benedikt Schmidt helped me navigate a deeply challenging time with remarkable sensitivity to inner strengths and moments of insight, providing much-needed stability. His proactive approach—both in person and online—set me on a new, restorative path. Thank you!

Kate B.
Musician, Los Angeles

Mr Schmidt’s approach to counselling is refreshingly different. Rather than overanalyzing problems, he guides you through imaginative exercises that reveal the interplay of inner voices and perspectives in moments of worry. With his guidance, I uncovered aspects of myself I had never considered. By giving space to these inner dynamics, I was able to let go of self-judgment and anxiety and reconnect with what truly matters. Mr Schmidt’s presence is calm, focused, and unrushed.

Anonymous
Corporate Lawyer

I was sceptical. Bodywork and hypnosystemic methods didn’t sound like something that would work for me. But Mr Schmidt quickly understood what was at stake. His analytical approach convinced me, and the methods had a clarity and impact that genuinely surprised me. Today, I work with greater focus, make decisions with confidence – and handle pressure without it holding me back.

Mathias S.
Entrepreneur, Vienna

Benedikt Schmidt has a gift for helping people gain clarity and insight into their lives. He creates a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth. His calm and open-hearted approach makes it easy to feel at ease and truly explore oneself.

Dr Valery O.
Radiologist, Kyiv

I would recommend online consults with Mr Schmidt based on his skills to warm up the conversation while letting you feel understood and accepted. I imagine he has a personalized approach to dealing with our internal matters and crises. Above all, his expertise in embodiment psychology allowed me to find the missing associations and provide explanations along with answers to questions I struggle with in life. He also proposes practical and easy-to-follow solutions to coping with stressful situations.

Alexander H.
Musician, Berlin

I am really impressed with how professional, passionate about the coaching, and flexible Mr Schmidt is in finding the right approach. Combined with his easy-going manner of communication, I was able to feel comfortable during our first session, even though I was in a really confused state of mind. You can't go wrong with getting in touch with Mr Schmidt. 10/10

Professional Guidance for Sustainable Change


Psychological support should feel professional, personal, and secure. If you are ready to take the next step, I look forward to meeting you.

Let's Start the Conversation

Frequently Asked Questions



01.

Counselling
Do I need support?

Many people hesitate to seek support, often unsure whether their problem is "serious enough." If you're wondering whether counselling could help, that’s often a sign that it might be beneficial. Issues such as stress, exhaustion, anxiety, self-doubt, grief, or difficulties in relationships are just some of the reasons people come to see me. If you're unsure, you’re welcome to book an initial consultation with no obligation.

How long does counselling take?

The duration is individual and depends on your goals. Many people attend between 10 and 20 sessions, while some continue for longer. Weekly sessions are often helpful at the start, with the option to space them out later. We can always discuss what works best for you.

What methods do you use in counselling?

My approach combines scientifically grounded methods, tailored to your individual needs. Therapy is not just about understanding, but also about experiencing and actively shaping change.

Hypnosystemic Approach – Helps to resolve deeply ingrained patterns and activate inner resources, creating new possibilities for action (Schmidt, 2024).

Embodiment Practices – The body plays a central role for the mental health. Targeted physical interventions can sustainably improve emotional regulation and self-awareness (Röhricht et al., 2014).

Solution-Focused Methods – Focuses on developing pragmatic and actionable strategies to enhance inner stability and overall wellbeing. Studies show that this approach effectively strengthens emotional resilience and improves the quality of interpersonal relationships (Franklin et al., 2017).

This integrative approach enables flexible and effective support, addressing cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of experience.

02.

Online Services
Can I have sessions online?

Yes! You can attend counselling from the comfort of your home—all you need is a stable internet connection and a quiet, private space.

How effective is online counselling compared to traditional formats?

While most studies in this area focus on psychotherapy, several meta-analyses suggest that online support can be as helpful as in-person sessions. particularly when a trusting relationship and clear methods are in place.

A meta-analysis by Giovanetti et al. (2022) specifically examined the treatment of depression and found that teletherapy and in-person sessions achieved comparable results.

Similarly, a study by Lin et al. (2022), which reviewed various mental health conditions, showed that online therapy delivers treatment outcomes equivalent to in-person therapy for concerns such as depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and eating disorders.

Although these results come from clinical contexts, they offer encouraging insights into how meaningful and effective psychological support can also be in online settings. In my work, I place particular emphasis on connection, clarity, and responsiveness, so that online counselling feels just as personal and grounded as in-person work.

What technical requirements do I need for online sessions?

For a smooth online session, you will need a stable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone (such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone), and a quiet, private space. Sessions take place via doxy.me – a secure, GDPR-compliant video platform developed specifically for healthcare. There’s no need to install any software or create an account. You’ll receive a personal access link before each session.

03.

General Questions
How can I book an appointment?

You can easily book an initial 15-minute consultation or a full counselling session. Simply use the booking calendar on my website.

What are the costs for a session?

A 50-minute individual session costs €100. A 75-minute individual session costs €150. We can discuss the details in the 15-minute initial consultation.

Are the costs covered by health insurance?

Statutory health insurance does not cover these costs. However, private health insurance or supplementary insurance may reimburse the fees under certain conditions—it is worth checking with your provider. I will provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance company.

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