Jakob is a certified Jungian psychoanalyst trained in Switzerland with a private practice in Berlin and online for the last ten years, and is one of the co-founders of It's Complicated.
Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by It’s Complicated
Local therapist communities, we’re coming to you
Over a decade ago, Johanne and I began organising meetups with therapists and psychologically-minded people in Berlin. Since then, we’ve been indirectly exploring a vital question: how is community shaped and experienced in our modern world?
The term ‘community’ has become a buzzword, often co-opted by big tech companies with world-changing aspirations. While we share a similar goal, our focus is on helping our clients transform their inner worlds, which in turn, may influence the world around them. With that in mind, we thought it important to clarify what we mean when we use the term ‘therapist community’ and outline our vision for building a more sustainable marketplace.
Defining community in a modern world
Etymologically, ‘community’ dates back to the 14th century, referring to people connected by their shared locality. It also pertains to “the common people” (as opposed to rulers). The Latin word communitatem means ‘fellowship, a community of relationships or feelings.’ In German, we use the word Gemeinschaft to express a similar idea.
When Johanne and I use the word ‘community’ today, we’re referring to a ‘holding space’ for therapists—one that isn’t limited by geography. We envision a community where therapists can connect both globally and locally through in-person city meetups and digital interactions. We want technology to facilitate these conversations and strengthen bonds between practitioners, unified by their diversity—an idea that may seem paradoxical when considering the traditional use of the word.
The role of tech in diverse therapist communities
Based on our experiences over the past decade, we believe that a global network of therapists, united in their diversity, can help practitioners build healthier, more sustainable practices. Personal referrals and networking have always been the foundation of building a private practice. Our aim is to expand these community efforts to support your professional and personal growth, as well as your clinical practice.
It’s Complicated provides not only the best tools for online exposure and client leads but also offers an international support network of like-minded practitioners—each growing their own practices. However, a global presence needs to be balanced with a local grounding. In fact, more than a third of clients seeking therapy through It’s Complicated prefer in-person sessions. This year, our focus is on strengthening the local presence and communities within It’s Complicated.
That’s why Johanne and I decided to embark on a tour—a journey across Europe to meet as many therapists as possible in person. After all, a therapist community is only as strong as its members.
First up: Barcelona and Amsterdam
The first stops are Barcelona on November 1st-2nd and Amsterdam on December 6th-7th.
If you are around, don’t miss out on an great opportunity to connect with other mental health professionals and learn how to grow your practice with It’s Complicated.
Check out the event pages for more details!
We look forward to meeting many of you, hearing your thoughts, and gathering ideas for our next annual conference in Berlin!
Would you like us to visit your city? Get in touch!
See you on the road,
Jakob & Johanne
Founders of It’s Complicated
Benefits of listing your practice through It’s Complicated
- We aim to be the world’s most diverse therapy platform: Strictly inclusive to all identities.
- Access to a community: 500+ therapists, skills workshops, supervision, and in-person events.
- Easy online booking: Manage your calendar efficiently and reduce your workload.
- Get paid in advance to reduce no-shows: You can send invoices manually at any time.
- Secure messaging: Encrypted video and messaging service meets the latest standards for secure communication, for you and your clients’ safety.
- Membership comes in three tiers starting from less than €20. View pricing plans here.
It’s Complicated is a therapy platform that not only helps clients find their perfect therapist but also supports therapists in their craft of helping others. Featuring over 2,000 mental health professionals from 80+ countries, counselling is available in almost 100 languages, both online and in person. A GDPR-compliant video solution, encrypted messaging, and easy invoicing guarantee a private and seamless counselling experience for therapists and clients alike. If you are in a serious crisis and need urgent help, please use one of these resources instead.
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