You haven’t slept well in weeks, but no one can know. An employee seems off somehow—and you can’t find the right words. A crisis that’s both personal and professional at the same time. Or simply the sense that something is brewing within the team, but you can’t quite figure out what’s at the heart of it.
For the moments when simply functioning isn’t enough.
I’m Katrin—a licensed psychotherapist and emergency psychologist who knows the corporate world from the inside.
I’ve held leadership roles myself at Zalando and Deutsche Telekom. As far as I know, there’s no one else in the DACH region who brings this unique combination of perspectives.
Through coaching, I support leaders and HR professionals like you in making the right decisions, for your team and for yourself.
Perspective: For myself
Maybe this sounds familiar
Someone once came to me and said, “I don’t know yet—do I need a sabbatical, a new job, a vacation, marriage counseling, a new hobby, or do I need to move? Something’s going on. I’m not sleeping well anymore, and I feel pressure in my ears. I just don’t know.”
In fact, many leaders come to me with similarly open-ended concerns. They can’t yet pinpoint what’s causing the problem and what’s a symptom.
Why it’s complicated
Leaders rarely have a safe space. No way to talk openly with senior leadership without consequences. No conversation with HR that’s truly confidential. No peer who’s close enough to understand—and far enough removed to be objective. Often, pushing through seems like the safest option.
Even with private health insurance, getting a therapy appointment can take time. And the chances of finding someone who truly understands the corporate world and also has clinical training are slim. I bridge that gap.
How I work
I always start the same way: “Tell me what’s going on.” From there, we work through things systematically. No questionnaire beforehand, no one-size-fits-all method. I listen, then give you my candid assessment of the situation before we decide together what direction to take.
Sometimes, that leads to a longer process. Other times, two or three conversations are enough to gain real clarity. It depends on what will help you most right now. I tailor every coaching engagement to the individual, drawing on my broad range of experience.
What clients most often come to me for
Mental Health Check-Up:
A structured assessment over up to five sessions. Personality diagnostics, psychological evaluation, and concrete feedback on strengths, weaknesses, and possible diagnoses in the context of your professional and personal life.
Executive Coaching:
Psychologically grounded coaching, available as individual sessions or packages. Frequency based on your needs, with Signal support between sessions if helpful.
Psychological Crisis Support:
For situations that can’t wait. Learn more under Crisis.
Neurodivergence – Assessment & Individual Support:
For people who have always felt that something never quite fit. ADHD, autism, giftedness, and more—understanding your strengths and needs, and shaping your work accordingly.
Who this support is for
For you if you sense that something isn’t right—and you want clarity without waiting months for a therapy appointment. If you need someone who can assess what’s going on from a psychological perspective while also understanding the professional context you’re navigating.
Perspective: I’m dealing with a difficult situation on my team
Situations every leader encounters sooner or later
An employee who seems off somehow—but you don’t know what’s going on or how far you can go. A team member who hasn’t really seemed like themselves for weeks. A conflict that goes beyond ordinary conflict management. Sometimes, even experienced leaders aren’t sure how best to handle a situation involving someone on their team.
Why you’re often left to handle it on your own
Most companies’ internal resources are designed for standard situations. But when HR can’t offer concrete help, Google and AI only give you generic advice, and your managers may be too close to the situation, or avoiding the issue themselves, you’re often left without a clear way forward.
That’s when an outside perspective from someone experienced in sensitive HR situations can help. For many years, I was the go-to person for complex cases in large corporations. Today, I’m happy to be that person for you—helping you create clarity and strengthening your position step by step.
How I work—sparring, not a seminar
Usually, it works like this: You walk me through the situation. We think it through together. I give you a psychological perspective on what’s happening—and concrete ideas for what to do next. Then I stay by your side for as long as you need me, helping you navigate the challenges and opportunities along the way. No mediation, no legal advice. But a perspective that goes beyond the standard management toolkit.
Sometimes, one hour is enough to untangle the situation.
Typical situations
What brings leaders to me:
- Employees who seem to be struggling with their mental health, but the conversation hasn’t happened yet
- Difficult return-to-work conversations after a longer illness
- Neurodivergent employees whose needs can make leadership more complex
- Situations where performance and health issues overlap
- Conflicts that can no longer be resolved through standard conflict management
Ways we can work together
One-on-one sparring
One situation, one hour, greater clarity. For leaders who want to quickly make sense of a situation, explore their options, and understand the potential implications.
Ongoing case consultation
For more complex situations that require support over several weeks.
Supervision for HR professionals
For people who support others within their organization and need a thoughtful outside perspective of their own.
The first step
A 30-minute chemistry call where you tell me about your situation and what’s on your mind. I’ll give you an honest assessment of whether and how I can help. Or simply reach out by email.