Practice Heinis
Relationship and Couples Therapy
Mastering the Art of Love
Relationship and Couple Therapy: The Path to Deep Connection, Personal Growth, and Self-Discovery
Are you experiencing challenges in your relationship or in your interactions with others? Couples or relationship therapy can help you find constructive solutions and support you in navigating interpersonal difficulties.
In couples therapy, you have the opportunity to openly address your relationship challenges and work together to develop solutions. As in individual therapy, the process begins with a thorough initial assessment, clarification of your goals, and a deeper understanding of your relationship. You are the experts on your relationship, and my role is to understand its unique dynamics in order to support you in the best possible way. This may also include individual sessions with each partner to explore personal and relational histories. It is also possible to begin therapy individually before both partners decide to participate.
And what is the key to successful couples therapy? Above all, it involves honesty with yourself, openness, courage, commitment, and a willingness to face challenges — even when this means confronting uncomfortable truths and pain. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the therapeutic process can take different paths.
Even if you are not currently in a relationship, relationship therapy can be highly valuable. It helps you better understand past relationships and your role within them. The capacity for healthy relationships begins with yourself. Through therapy, you can create meaningful changes within yourself that prepare you for future partnerships and strengthen your overall well-being.
Support with the following topics
- Behavioral patterns and schemas
- Needs & desires
- Boundaries & consequences
- Communication & conflict management
- The Masculine & The Feminine
- Love Languages
- Relationship development and maintenance
- Shame & Guilt
- Work, Sex & Relationship
- Dating & partner search
- Relationship models (monogamy, open relationships, and polyamory)
- Rediscovering or transforming love and desire
- Multicultural partnerships
- Influences of trauma & past
- Affairs & secrecy
- Loss & grief
The Key to Fulfilling Relationships: The Journey to Self
I firmly believe that the foundation of any healthy relationship with others is the relationship you have with yourself. From there, fulfilling connections with others can grow. My approach focuses on supporting individuals and couples with empathy and professional guidance. In relationships and in couples therapy, the process involves continuously exploring yourself, learning more about yourself and your partner, and working together to overcome challenges and grow.
In relationships, self-awareness, communication, and empathy are essential. When these are present, couples can grow together; when they are lost, distance can develop. I support individuals and couples in identifying their needs and desires, navigating conflicts, and building a deeper connection.
I work with an integrative approach to support you in addressing your concerns, drawing on a range of methods, theories, and current findings from modern research. My work is informed by experience and training in contemporary couples therapy, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) developed by Sue Johnson, as well as the approaches of experts such as John Gottman & Julie Gottman, Esther Perel, and Uwe Clement, among others.
Further support through coaching - with Relatingwise
If you feel that coaching may be a better fit for your needs, I offer this separately from my work as a licensed practitioner for psychotherapy. Through coaching, I can support you in a wider range of areas. Please visit my website, RelatingWise, for more information.
In contrast to therapy, coaching does not focus on psychological disorders or problems, but on personal development and growth. This does not make it any less effective — it simply reflects a different focus. Together, we clarify your direction and explore the areas that will support and strengthen you along the way. Let’s find out together what approach is the best fit for you.
Important Questions about Relationship and Couple Therapy
Effective therapy begins with a thorough initial assessment and diagnosis, which we will carry out together. We will also define clear therapy goals to give our work direction and a shared focus.
From there, we will explore which next steps, therapeutic approaches, and interventions are most suitable for you. If needed, I may refer you to other specialists or consult with them for further clarification.
In addition, we will include exercises during our sessions, as well as tasks between sessions, so you can make the most of the time in between.
You can easily book your free discovery call online using the button on this website. Therapy sessions can be scheduled either online via the booking link or directly during our sessions.
Services provided by a licensed practitioner for psychotherapy (Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie) are generally not covered by statutory health insurance. However, private or supplementary insurance may cover part or all of the costs. Please check with your insurance provider.
Individual sessions last 50 or 80 minutes. Couples sessions are scheduled for 80 minutes.
It is not possible to estimate this in advance, as each situation and therapeutic process is unique.
In my experience, “spontaneous cures” are unlikely after just one session. However, even a single open and clarifying conversation can bring significant relief.
This depends on various factors, including your specific concerns and personal circumstances such as time and availability. As a general guideline, weekly sessions are a good starting point in the initial phase. For more acute issues, sessions may take place more frequently, while longer-term support can be adjusted more flexibly over time.
Please refer to my Fees page for details. Costs vary depending on the duration of the session and the time of day.
This varies from person to person, as everyone has different needs and expectations. After exploring this website, you may already have a first impression of my work, and the discovery call offers an opportunity for us to get to know each other personally.
Everything else will unfold naturally over time, depending on your progress, your experience, and how safe and seen you feel.
In accordance with my professional code of conduct, I am bound by strict confidentiality. If you would like me to communicate with other professionals or individuals on your behalf, I will ask for your explicit consent.
I offer sessions in my practice at Grillparzerstr. 23, 81675 Munich. It is beautifully located two bus stops north of Ostbahnhof and directly on tram lines 19, 21, and within walking distance of the Leuchtenbergring S-Bahn station. Paid parking is available in the surrounding streets. Resident parking regulations may apply.
According to current research, online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, so you are very welcome to make use of this option.
I use Jitsi for video sessions, which complies with EU GDPR regulations. You can find further information in my privacy policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me — we will find a suitable solution.
As a licensed practitioner for psychotherapy (Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie), I am authorized by the state to provide psychotherapeutic treatment under the German Heilpraktiker Act. In contrast, psychological psychotherapists complete a university degree in psychology, followed by additional specialized training and licensure in psychotherapy.
My training took place primarily at the Academy for Sexual Therapy (AkST), where I completed 112 hours of training in clinical psychology, along with an additional 112 hours focused on practical work and therapeutic methods in sex and couples therapy. I also engage in ongoing professional development and regular supervision. You are welcome to learn more on the About Me page or reach out if you have any questions.
In this practice, I offer psychotherapy only. Coaching is provided separately through my business, RelatingWise, where I offer additional support services. You are welcome to visit the website to learn more.
I work integratively, drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and systemic therapy. The approach is always tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
First, try to remain calm and reach out to trusted relatives or friends. If this is not possible, you can contact local crisis services or a telephone helpline. In an emergency, please call 112.
I am committed to ongoing professional development and continuously expand my expertise across related fields. I have a particular interest in classical psychotherapists and psychoanalysts such as Carl Gustav Jung and his work on archetypes. I also deepen my knowledge through literature, courses, and training with experts such as:
– Julie & John Gottman for Couple Therapy
– Melanie Büttner and Ulrich Clement for Sexual Therapy and Sexual Trauma
– Esther Perel for Relationships and Affairs
– Peter A. Levine and Melanie Büttner for Trauma
– Om Rupani, Gillian Pothier for Liberated Sexuality and Polarity Work
– Shefali Tsabary for Conscious Parenting
I also engage with neuroscientific perspectives, including the work of Joe Dispenza, as well as Eastern philosophies, integrating insights through the connection of mind, body, and soul.
From Conflicts to Connections: Successful Couple and SexTherapy
Human relationships are complex and dynamic, shaped by emotions, communication, past experiences, fears, and individual needs. Over time, challenges and disruptions can arise in any partnership — this is a natural part of being in relationship, as we continuously influence and change one another. Misunderstandings and moments of distance are therefore to be expected. As Esther Perel emphasizes, it is not conflict itself that matters most, but how a relationship is repaired and reconnected afterward. How open can partners be with each other? How safe do they feel? How much trust is present? In the midst of these challenges, we can sometimes lose ourselves — as individuals or as a couple. This is where relationship or couples therapy can support you in finding your way back.
A fundamental principle of my work in relationship and couples therapy is to create a safe and supportive space where both partners can openly share their thoughts, feelings, and needs. I act as a neutral “translator” and guide, helping to clarify misunderstandings and improve communication. I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to better understand relationship dynamics and support meaningful, lasting change.
A central focus of my work is identifying patterns within the relationship — such as recurring conflicts, communication blockages, or unspoken needs. By recognizing and understanding these patterns, couples can discover new ways of relating to one another and deepen their connection. This also includes exploring the underlying emotional dynamics of each individual and how these are repeatedly activated within the relationship, often leading to recurring cycles. In this context, I often — though not exclusively — draw on approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Schema Therapy to help both partners recognize these patterns and find ways to move beyond them.
Relationship and couples therapy not only helps with acute challenges but also supports you in clarifying long-term goals and values within your partnership. It is about working together to build a deeper connection, strengthen trust, and create a supportive environment in which both partners can grow. The goal is not only to resolve short-term conflicts, but also to establish a positive foundation for personal growth and the ongoing development of the relationship.
A particular advantage of my work is that I can also draw on my experience in sex therapy. This allows topics such as intimacy and sexuality — and any challenges related to them — to be naturally integrated into the therapeutic process.
