For many people, the appointment service on the number 116117 is the most direct way to a consultation in psychotherapy. It takes over the search for a practice if you do not want to call numerous practices yourself. This guide explains how the referral works and which time limits apply.
Short answer: Through the number 116117, the appointment service arranges a consultation in psychotherapy. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, it must arrange consultation appointments within four weeks. No referral is needed. For acute need for treatment, the waiting time must not exceed two weeks (Last updated: November 2026).
The most important points in brief
- According to the ministry, the number 116117 can be reached around the clock, and there is also a website and an app.
- The referral concerns the psychotherapeutic consultation, not directly the therapy that may follow.
- The ministry names four weeks as the time limit for consultation appointments.
- For acute need, the waiting time is at most two weeks.
- No referral is required for this route.
What does the appointment service actually do?
The appointment service is a referral point run by the regional associations of statutory health insurance physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen, KV). It helps you find an appointment with a practice that offers consultation hours. You do not have to survey all practices in your area yourself. The service looks for free appointments and tells you the options it finds.
The referral does not replace the consultation itself. It only brings you to an appointment in which it is clarified whether there is a suspicion of a mental illness and which treatment would be sensible next. The content of that conversation is described in Psychotherapeutic consultation: what it is and how to book it.
Which time limits apply?
The Federal Ministry of Health names two periods on its glossary page. The table sets them side by side. They apply to the referral through the appointment service and not to every practice in the same way.
| Appointment type | Time limit according to the ministry | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapeutic consultation | Referral within four weeks | No referral needed |
| Acute treatment | Waiting time no longer than two weeks | Only for acute need for treatment |
The time limits refer to the referral by the service. How quickly a particular practice in your region actually gives appointments can differ. Ask which appointment is offered to you and by when it takes place.
How does the referral work?
The referral begins with your call or enquiry by website or app. You state your concern and your region. The service then looks for a suitable appointment. Note the name, date, time and address of the practice you are given, and confirm the appointment so that you do not miss it by accident.
- Call 116117 or use the website or the app.
- Say that you are looking for an appointment in the psychotherapeutic consultation.
- Give your region and, if asked, your health insurance.
- Note the appointment, the practice and the address, and check the journey.
It helps to consider in advance how much time you can keep free for appointments over the next weeks. An appointment that does not fit your timetable is often difficult to move.
What if the referral does not work?
If no appointment comes about within the stated period, contact the appointment service again and refer to the four weeks. Note the date of your first enquiry. In parallel you can call practices yourself, because you may use more than one route.
When the need is acute, the two-week limit applies. Acute treatment is a separate route, described in Psychotherapy as acute treatment. If you see a risk to yourself or to others, do not wait for an appointment. Call the emergency number 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Which details help when you enquire?
The service mainly needs details that matter for finding a practice. These include your place of residence or postcode, an assessment of how urgent the matter is, and whether you are insured under statutory or private health insurance. The more precise the details, the better the appointment fits your situation.
Keep in mind that you do not have to describe your full medical history on the phone. The referral is about finding an appointment. The actual conversation takes place in the practice.
When is the appointment service the right choice?
The referral is particularly suitable if you do not know any practice nearby, have little time for many calls or are unsure where to start. If you already have a practice in mind, you can contact it directly. A switch to the referral makes sense if the direct search is not progressing.
The counselling service at your university can also give a first orientation. It can tell you which services in your city are reachable for students. It does not replace a consultation or a referral, however.
What happens after the appointment?
After the appointment, you decide whether to stay with this practice. The consultation may contain a recommendation, such as probatory sessions or a guideline therapy. Under the guideline, at least two and at most four probatory sessions are provided before a guideline therapy. If the practice does not suit you, you can prepare a change. A separate article explains the rules: Changing psychotherapist: when it is possible (in German).
If you cannot attend the appointment, cancel early. That way the slot can go to someone else who is waiting urgently.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to get an appointment through 116117?
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, no referral is required for the psychotherapeutic consultation. The appointment service arranges the appointment directly.
Is the number 116117 available around the clock?
According to the ministry, the number can be reached by phone around the clock. There is also a website and an app. Appointments are arranged according to availability.
What if I do not get an appointment within four weeks?
Then you can contact the service again and refer to the time limit. You can also enquire with practices yourself. Document all enquiries so that you can trace the course of events.
Can the appointment service also arrange a therapy place?
According to the ministry, the referral concerns consultation appointments and acute treatment. The practice clarifies with you how the therapy continues afterwards.
What is the difference between a consultation and acute treatment?
The consultation serves to clarify a suspicion. Acute treatment is a separate service for acute need, for which the ministry names a waiting time of at most two weeks. The details of its scope are in the article on acute treatment.
Can I decline an appointment that has been arranged?
Yes. If the appointment or the practice does not fit your daily routine, for example because of the journey or the time, you can ask for another appointment. Say openly what does not fit, and then a further suggestion can usually be found.
What to do next
- Note how urgent your concern is.
- Contact the appointment service on 116117 and ask for a consultation.
- Record the appointment, the practice and the date of your enquiry, and check the time limit.
Related reading
- Mental health at university: where to find help
- Finding a psychotherapist
- Psychotherapeutic consultation: what it is and how to book it
- Psychotherapy as acute treatment
- Private Health Insurance and Psychotherapy: Costs
Sources: Federal Ministry of Health: entry on the psychotherapeutic consultation, status 08.01.2026 (in German), Psychotherapy Guideline (Psychotherapie-Richtlinie), version of 21.08.2025, in force since 11.11.2025 (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
