Potsdam
Berliner Str. 137, 14467 Potsdam, Deutschland
NOW! Potsdam | Counseling Center & Family Support
NOW! Potsdam is a specialized point of contact for families with mentally ill parents and for people whose family life is shaped by psychological stress. Since 2011, the facility in Potsdam has been offering assistance that connects child and youth welfare, adult psychiatry, and special education. This networking is crucial for many families because burdens in one area almost always touch on several life areas: parental role, partnership, school, sibling relationships, everyday life, care, and emotional stability. Therefore, NOW! does not rely on a single standard offer, but on various coordinated approaches such as counseling, outreach family therapy, outpatient support, group offers, clearing, and specialist advice. The services are free of charge because NOW! has corresponding service agreements with the areas of child and youth welfare as well as integration assistance. Those seeking orientation will find here low-threshold, confidential, and practical support that does not bypass rigid processes but is oriented to the family's real situation. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/))
Counseling Center, Relief, and Confidential Help
The counseling and navigation center of NOW! Potsdam is primarily aimed at quickly relieving families and enabling a clear next step. On the official website, the counseling is described as uncomplicated, confidential, and without application. People who feel anxious, tired, overwhelmed, or heavily burdened in their family life can request support without having to go through long bureaucratic processes. This is particularly important when mental illnesses dictate daily routines and the energy for complicated applications or unclear paths to help is lacking. NOW! also emphasizes that inquiries can be made anonymously upon request and that the counseling remains confidential. Contact can be made by phone, via WhatsApp, and by email; for sensitive topics, messages can also be sent anonymously without providing a name. The counseling center supports not only parents but also children, adolescents, and professionals. The content includes, among other things, information on mental illnesses and mental health, assistance with access to care systems, support in the parental role, conflict and crisis situations, coping strategies, and practical assistance in family life. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
The navigational character of the offer is particularly strong. NOW! sees itself not only as a counseling center but also as a point of orientation in the often confusing help system. In counseling, information about suitable agencies and services is provided, for example, regarding child and youth welfare, group offers, self-help, school, integration assistance, and medical care. For parents, this can mean that help with applications is organized, crisis plans are developed, or referrals to therapists are made. For children and adolescents, support can mean that they can talk about worries, process conflicts, improve communication with relatives, or receive accompaniment during conversations with authorities. The website also emphasizes that sometimes just a conversation can be relieving, while in other cases, practical support within a whole network of help becomes necessary. This mix makes the offer so valuable for families: not just listening, but opening concrete paths so that everyday life becomes more manageable again. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
Directions, Tram, and Parking at Berliner Straße 137
NOW! Potsdam is located at Berliner Straße 137 in Potsdam, in the Berliner Vorstadt area, approximately at the height of Nuthestraße. According to the official contact page, the rooms are located behind the main building in a coach house; the entrance is on the right side. This is important for visitors because the facility does not appear as a classic street-front location but is set back a bit. For those arriving by public transport, there are several options: Tram 93 stops at Schiffbauergasse/Berliner Str., and Tram 94 and Tram 99 stop at Holzmarktstr. This makes the location easily accessible from several directions, especially for people who do not want or cannot use their own car. At the same time, it should be noted that there are only a few parking spaces available on the premises. For a facility that receives many families, children, adolescents, and professionals, the recommendation is clear: If possible, plan to arrive by tram or allow sufficient buffer time. This way, counseling can begin without additional stress, which is a real advantage, especially in the case of psychological burdens. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
The contact page also mentions a barrier-free access as a possible concern that can be indicated when requesting an appointment. Although this is not a blanket statement about overall architectural accessibility, it shows that individual needs can be taken into account in advance. This is particularly relevant for families in stressful life situations because organizational hurdles often create pressure even before the actual conversation. The combination of a central location, tram connection, and the note about few parking spaces helps in realistically planning the visit. Those coming with children, companions, or after a tiring day benefit from knowing the route and contact method in advance. For SEO and usability, this information is particularly valuable because directions and parking are among the most frequently searched practical questions and directly influence access to help. NOW! Potsdam answers these questions transparently, creating clarity even before the conversation begins. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
Outreach Family Therapy in the Familiar Environment
A central offer from NOW! Potsdam is outreach family therapy, short AFT. It is aimed at families with psychological burdens or families that are in ongoing, repeated, or acute crises. The facility describes AFT as a low-threshold therapeutic offer that aims to initiate changes and make intra-family role and relationship dynamics visible. The outreach character is particularly important: the therapy primarily takes place in the family's familiar living environment because many families cannot regularly use offers with a pure come-structure in stressful situations. This is a significant practical advantage because it allows work with the entire family and their social environment. The work is systemic and solution-oriented, allowing new patterns of action and competencies to be developed. In addition, NOW! works in this area in a co-team with two therapists, which enables closer support and different professional perspectives. According to the website, the offer is available within the context of youth welfare; costs can be covered by the youth welfare office, and self-payers are also possible. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
The process of AFT is clearly structured but remains flexible enough to adapt to the specific family situation. Typically, one to two weekly sessions take place over a total duration of about six to twelve months. At the beginning, anamnesis and initial conversation take place, in which the family history, structures, problems, and strengths are recorded. Then, goals, expectations, framework conditions, and confidentiality are discussed together. Subsequently, the work can take place in the home environment or at other relevant locations, such as in school or in other everyday contexts. The therapeutic work aims to observe interactions, communication patterns, and dynamics and to stimulate positive changes with suitable methods. Crisis intervention is also part of the concept so that acute burdens are not just endured but addressed. At the end of the support, there is a closing phase and follow-up care, in which progress is evaluated and strategies for the time after therapy are developed. This combination of proximity, structure, and systemic work makes AFT a particularly intensive and simultaneously everyday-oriented offer. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
Children's Group NOW! and Group Offer for Adults
The children's group NOW! is an important offer for children and adolescents living with a mentally ill parent. The website describes that many children in such families have similar experiences: they feel insecure in dealing with their parents, seek explanations for confusing behavior, worry, or blame themselves. Some take on adult responsibilities too early, care for siblings, or experience shame and anger because family life is significantly different from that of their friends. Since 2019, NOW! has been offering a weekly group in its own rooms for this purpose. It is not only about imparting knowledge but also about protective factors: knowledge about illness and stable external relationships are considered important building blocks to strengthen children and adolescents. In the group, participants should experience that they are not alone, can ask questions, and have a place where they can be themselves. This makes the children's group an offer that combines emotional relief, orientation, and belonging. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/kindergruppe-now))
There is also a group offer for adults aimed at parents or guardians with mental illnesses. The website emphasizes that mental illnesses are often not visible from the outside but can have a massive impact on the lives of those affected, their families, and their environment. With the illness often come isolation, poverty, anxiety, and shame, especially when those affected are parents themselves. The group at NOW! therefore sees itself as a supportive offer that takes place once a week and is accompanied within the framework of integration assistance. In a protected setting, participants can reflect on social relationships, recognize relationship patterns, name limits of burden, develop empathy, and talk about shame, fears, or formative experiences. This is not only therapeutically relevant but also important for the parental role because stable relationships and realistic self-perception often determine relief in everyday life. Together with the children's group, this adult offer forms a family approach that keeps both generations in view and does not only address one side of the burden. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/gruppenangebot-fur-erwachsene))
Clearing, Outpatient Assistance, and School Absenteeism Project SIB
In addition to counseling and group work, NOW! Potsdam also offers clearing and outpatient assistance. The outpatient offers are aimed at families in the area of child and youth welfare and include flexible assistance according to SGB VIII, including assistance for upbringing and supervised contact. The website lists specific contents such as social pedagogical family assistance, counseling for parents on educational issues, support in dealing with mental illness, crisis plans, understanding of illness, and help in finding therapists. For children and adolescents, this can mean that they are accompanied in cases of developmental difficulties, behavioral problems in daycare and school, conflicts with parents or friends, self-harming behavior, substance abuse, or parentification. Clearing, on the other hand, serves to systematically capture resources, problem situations, and risks. An interdisciplinary team consisting of a psychological or family therapeutic specialist and a social pedagogical specialist develops a well-founded recommendation for tailored assistance, which is forwarded to the youth welfare office. The recommendations should also be compatible with other social codes. This is particularly helpful in complex family situations because not every situation can be resolved with a single instrument of assistance. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/ambulante-angebote))
Another component is the school absenteeism project SIB, which NOW! describes as a structured cooperation partner for schools, parents, and professionals. According to the official presentation, school absenteeism is increasing in Potsdam, and teachers, school social work, and school psychology report complex case developments, unclear responsibilities, and a lack of structures for cross-system cooperation. SIB addresses exactly this and offers case discussions, case supervision, professional events, a best-practice network, and cooperative help planning. The goal is to jointly develop viable support plans that involve the child, family, and all participating systems. It is also relevant that the project is financed by free funds from the state capital Potsdam, according to the website. From an SEO perspective, this information is particularly strong because it shows the breadth of the offer: NOW! Potsdam is not only a counseling center for families but also a hub for networked help planning, school-related crisis work, and professional collaboration. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Offers for Professionals, Counseling, and Training
NOW! Potsdam explicitly sees itself as a resource for professionals. The website describes that the offer, as a networked specialized offer from child and youth welfare and adult psychiatry, brings comprehensive and practical expertise. This knowledge is aimed at educational professionals, teachers, school social work, school psychology, and other agencies working with families in stressful situations. The support includes case-related counseling and training, not only individual case assistance but also further education and collegial reflection. Particularly helpful is that NOW! conducts seminars both in its own rooms and as in-house offers in institutions. Before the seminar, scope, group size, format, location, equipment, and didactic wishes are discussed to ensure that the offer meets the needs of the respective institution. This is an important point because effective cooperation in the help system often fails due to tailored communication, not due to a lack of willingness. NOW! addresses this need precisely and creates a space where experience, expertise, and concrete questions come together. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte))
The website lists a number of specific topics for training and counseling: better understanding and supporting parents with borderline personality disorder, crazy childhood and strengthening children of mentally ill parents, parents with depression, strengthening conversations with children about mental illnesses, and better understanding and supporting parents who have been complexly traumatized in relationships. Additionally, NOW! refers to knowledge dissemination about care systems such as child and youth welfare, medical care, and self-help, as well as communication and conflict counseling with parents and children. This is particularly relevant for professionals because many cases fail not due to a lack of information but due to high complexity. NOW! does not offer abstract theory here but practical orientation that can be directly translated into professional relationships. Those working with families that are psychologically burdened will find a place that can provide both professional and human relief. In this way, NOW! complements family-related work with a second level: help for those who help, moderate, mediate, and stabilize within the system. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Sources:
Show moreShow less
NOW! Potsdam | Counseling Center & Family Support
NOW! Potsdam is a specialized point of contact for families with mentally ill parents and for people whose family life is shaped by psychological stress. Since 2011, the facility in Potsdam has been offering assistance that connects child and youth welfare, adult psychiatry, and special education. This networking is crucial for many families because burdens in one area almost always touch on several life areas: parental role, partnership, school, sibling relationships, everyday life, care, and emotional stability. Therefore, NOW! does not rely on a single standard offer, but on various coordinated approaches such as counseling, outreach family therapy, outpatient support, group offers, clearing, and specialist advice. The services are free of charge because NOW! has corresponding service agreements with the areas of child and youth welfare as well as integration assistance. Those seeking orientation will find here low-threshold, confidential, and practical support that does not bypass rigid processes but is oriented to the family's real situation. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/))
Counseling Center, Relief, and Confidential Help
The counseling and navigation center of NOW! Potsdam is primarily aimed at quickly relieving families and enabling a clear next step. On the official website, the counseling is described as uncomplicated, confidential, and without application. People who feel anxious, tired, overwhelmed, or heavily burdened in their family life can request support without having to go through long bureaucratic processes. This is particularly important when mental illnesses dictate daily routines and the energy for complicated applications or unclear paths to help is lacking. NOW! also emphasizes that inquiries can be made anonymously upon request and that the counseling remains confidential. Contact can be made by phone, via WhatsApp, and by email; for sensitive topics, messages can also be sent anonymously without providing a name. The counseling center supports not only parents but also children, adolescents, and professionals. The content includes, among other things, information on mental illnesses and mental health, assistance with access to care systems, support in the parental role, conflict and crisis situations, coping strategies, and practical assistance in family life. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
The navigational character of the offer is particularly strong. NOW! sees itself not only as a counseling center but also as a point of orientation in the often confusing help system. In counseling, information about suitable agencies and services is provided, for example, regarding child and youth welfare, group offers, self-help, school, integration assistance, and medical care. For parents, this can mean that help with applications is organized, crisis plans are developed, or referrals to therapists are made. For children and adolescents, support can mean that they can talk about worries, process conflicts, improve communication with relatives, or receive accompaniment during conversations with authorities. The website also emphasizes that sometimes just a conversation can be relieving, while in other cases, practical support within a whole network of help becomes necessary. This mix makes the offer so valuable for families: not just listening, but opening concrete paths so that everyday life becomes more manageable again. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
Directions, Tram, and Parking at Berliner Straße 137
NOW! Potsdam is located at Berliner Straße 137 in Potsdam, in the Berliner Vorstadt area, approximately at the height of Nuthestraße. According to the official contact page, the rooms are located behind the main building in a coach house; the entrance is on the right side. This is important for visitors because the facility does not appear as a classic street-front location but is set back a bit. For those arriving by public transport, there are several options: Tram 93 stops at Schiffbauergasse/Berliner Str., and Tram 94 and Tram 99 stop at Holzmarktstr. This makes the location easily accessible from several directions, especially for people who do not want or cannot use their own car. At the same time, it should be noted that there are only a few parking spaces available on the premises. For a facility that receives many families, children, adolescents, and professionals, the recommendation is clear: If possible, plan to arrive by tram or allow sufficient buffer time. This way, counseling can begin without additional stress, which is a real advantage, especially in the case of psychological burdens. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
The contact page also mentions a barrier-free access as a possible concern that can be indicated when requesting an appointment. Although this is not a blanket statement about overall architectural accessibility, it shows that individual needs can be taken into account in advance. This is particularly relevant for families in stressful life situations because organizational hurdles often create pressure even before the actual conversation. The combination of a central location, tram connection, and the note about few parking spaces helps in realistically planning the visit. Those coming with children, companions, or after a tiring day benefit from knowing the route and contact method in advance. For SEO and usability, this information is particularly valuable because directions and parking are among the most frequently searched practical questions and directly influence access to help. NOW! Potsdam answers these questions transparently, creating clarity even before the conversation begins. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
Outreach Family Therapy in the Familiar Environment
A central offer from NOW! Potsdam is outreach family therapy, short AFT. It is aimed at families with psychological burdens or families that are in ongoing, repeated, or acute crises. The facility describes AFT as a low-threshold therapeutic offer that aims to initiate changes and make intra-family role and relationship dynamics visible. The outreach character is particularly important: the therapy primarily takes place in the family's familiar living environment because many families cannot regularly use offers with a pure come-structure in stressful situations. This is a significant practical advantage because it allows work with the entire family and their social environment. The work is systemic and solution-oriented, allowing new patterns of action and competencies to be developed. In addition, NOW! works in this area in a co-team with two therapists, which enables closer support and different professional perspectives. According to the website, the offer is available within the context of youth welfare; costs can be covered by the youth welfare office, and self-payers are also possible. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
The process of AFT is clearly structured but remains flexible enough to adapt to the specific family situation. Typically, one to two weekly sessions take place over a total duration of about six to twelve months. At the beginning, anamnesis and initial conversation take place, in which the family history, structures, problems, and strengths are recorded. Then, goals, expectations, framework conditions, and confidentiality are discussed together. Subsequently, the work can take place in the home environment or at other relevant locations, such as in school or in other everyday contexts. The therapeutic work aims to observe interactions, communication patterns, and dynamics and to stimulate positive changes with suitable methods. Crisis intervention is also part of the concept so that acute burdens are not just endured but addressed. At the end of the support, there is a closing phase and follow-up care, in which progress is evaluated and strategies for the time after therapy are developed. This combination of proximity, structure, and systemic work makes AFT a particularly intensive and simultaneously everyday-oriented offer. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
Children's Group NOW! and Group Offer for Adults
The children's group NOW! is an important offer for children and adolescents living with a mentally ill parent. The website describes that many children in such families have similar experiences: they feel insecure in dealing with their parents, seek explanations for confusing behavior, worry, or blame themselves. Some take on adult responsibilities too early, care for siblings, or experience shame and anger because family life is significantly different from that of their friends. Since 2019, NOW! has been offering a weekly group in its own rooms for this purpose. It is not only about imparting knowledge but also about protective factors: knowledge about illness and stable external relationships are considered important building blocks to strengthen children and adolescents. In the group, participants should experience that they are not alone, can ask questions, and have a place where they can be themselves. This makes the children's group an offer that combines emotional relief, orientation, and belonging. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/kindergruppe-now))
There is also a group offer for adults aimed at parents or guardians with mental illnesses. The website emphasizes that mental illnesses are often not visible from the outside but can have a massive impact on the lives of those affected, their families, and their environment. With the illness often come isolation, poverty, anxiety, and shame, especially when those affected are parents themselves. The group at NOW! therefore sees itself as a supportive offer that takes place once a week and is accompanied within the framework of integration assistance. In a protected setting, participants can reflect on social relationships, recognize relationship patterns, name limits of burden, develop empathy, and talk about shame, fears, or formative experiences. This is not only therapeutically relevant but also important for the parental role because stable relationships and realistic self-perception often determine relief in everyday life. Together with the children's group, this adult offer forms a family approach that keeps both generations in view and does not only address one side of the burden. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/gruppenangebot-fur-erwachsene))
Clearing, Outpatient Assistance, and School Absenteeism Project SIB
In addition to counseling and group work, NOW! Potsdam also offers clearing and outpatient assistance. The outpatient offers are aimed at families in the area of child and youth welfare and include flexible assistance according to SGB VIII, including assistance for upbringing and supervised contact. The website lists specific contents such as social pedagogical family assistance, counseling for parents on educational issues, support in dealing with mental illness, crisis plans, understanding of illness, and help in finding therapists. For children and adolescents, this can mean that they are accompanied in cases of developmental difficulties, behavioral problems in daycare and school, conflicts with parents or friends, self-harming behavior, substance abuse, or parentification. Clearing, on the other hand, serves to systematically capture resources, problem situations, and risks. An interdisciplinary team consisting of a psychological or family therapeutic specialist and a social pedagogical specialist develops a well-founded recommendation for tailored assistance, which is forwarded to the youth welfare office. The recommendations should also be compatible with other social codes. This is particularly helpful in complex family situations because not every situation can be resolved with a single instrument of assistance. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/ambulante-angebote))
Another component is the school absenteeism project SIB, which NOW! describes as a structured cooperation partner for schools, parents, and professionals. According to the official presentation, school absenteeism is increasing in Potsdam, and teachers, school social work, and school psychology report complex case developments, unclear responsibilities, and a lack of structures for cross-system cooperation. SIB addresses exactly this and offers case discussions, case supervision, professional events, a best-practice network, and cooperative help planning. The goal is to jointly develop viable support plans that involve the child, family, and all participating systems. It is also relevant that the project is financed by free funds from the state capital Potsdam, according to the website. From an SEO perspective, this information is particularly strong because it shows the breadth of the offer: NOW! Potsdam is not only a counseling center for families but also a hub for networked help planning, school-related crisis work, and professional collaboration. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Offers for Professionals, Counseling, and Training
NOW! Potsdam explicitly sees itself as a resource for professionals. The website describes that the offer, as a networked specialized offer from child and youth welfare and adult psychiatry, brings comprehensive and practical expertise. This knowledge is aimed at educational professionals, teachers, school social work, school psychology, and other agencies working with families in stressful situations. The support includes case-related counseling and training, not only individual case assistance but also further education and collegial reflection. Particularly helpful is that NOW! conducts seminars both in its own rooms and as in-house offers in institutions. Before the seminar, scope, group size, format, location, equipment, and didactic wishes are discussed to ensure that the offer meets the needs of the respective institution. This is an important point because effective cooperation in the help system often fails due to tailored communication, not due to a lack of willingness. NOW! addresses this need precisely and creates a space where experience, expertise, and concrete questions come together. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte))
The website lists a number of specific topics for training and counseling: better understanding and supporting parents with borderline personality disorder, crazy childhood and strengthening children of mentally ill parents, parents with depression, strengthening conversations with children about mental illnesses, and better understanding and supporting parents who have been complexly traumatized in relationships. Additionally, NOW! refers to knowledge dissemination about care systems such as child and youth welfare, medical care, and self-help, as well as communication and conflict counseling with parents and children. This is particularly relevant for professionals because many cases fail not due to a lack of information but due to high complexity. NOW! does not offer abstract theory here but practical orientation that can be directly translated into professional relationships. Those working with families that are psychologically burdened will find a place that can provide both professional and human relief. In this way, NOW! complements family-related work with a second level: help for those who help, moderate, mediate, and stabilize within the system. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Sources:
NOW! Potsdam | Counseling Center & Family Support
NOW! Potsdam is a specialized point of contact for families with mentally ill parents and for people whose family life is shaped by psychological stress. Since 2011, the facility in Potsdam has been offering assistance that connects child and youth welfare, adult psychiatry, and special education. This networking is crucial for many families because burdens in one area almost always touch on several life areas: parental role, partnership, school, sibling relationships, everyday life, care, and emotional stability. Therefore, NOW! does not rely on a single standard offer, but on various coordinated approaches such as counseling, outreach family therapy, outpatient support, group offers, clearing, and specialist advice. The services are free of charge because NOW! has corresponding service agreements with the areas of child and youth welfare as well as integration assistance. Those seeking orientation will find here low-threshold, confidential, and practical support that does not bypass rigid processes but is oriented to the family's real situation. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/))
Counseling Center, Relief, and Confidential Help
The counseling and navigation center of NOW! Potsdam is primarily aimed at quickly relieving families and enabling a clear next step. On the official website, the counseling is described as uncomplicated, confidential, and without application. People who feel anxious, tired, overwhelmed, or heavily burdened in their family life can request support without having to go through long bureaucratic processes. This is particularly important when mental illnesses dictate daily routines and the energy for complicated applications or unclear paths to help is lacking. NOW! also emphasizes that inquiries can be made anonymously upon request and that the counseling remains confidential. Contact can be made by phone, via WhatsApp, and by email; for sensitive topics, messages can also be sent anonymously without providing a name. The counseling center supports not only parents but also children, adolescents, and professionals. The content includes, among other things, information on mental illnesses and mental health, assistance with access to care systems, support in the parental role, conflict and crisis situations, coping strategies, and practical assistance in family life. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
The navigational character of the offer is particularly strong. NOW! sees itself not only as a counseling center but also as a point of orientation in the often confusing help system. In counseling, information about suitable agencies and services is provided, for example, regarding child and youth welfare, group offers, self-help, school, integration assistance, and medical care. For parents, this can mean that help with applications is organized, crisis plans are developed, or referrals to therapists are made. For children and adolescents, support can mean that they can talk about worries, process conflicts, improve communication with relatives, or receive accompaniment during conversations with authorities. The website also emphasizes that sometimes just a conversation can be relieving, while in other cases, practical support within a whole network of help becomes necessary. This mix makes the offer so valuable for families: not just listening, but opening concrete paths so that everyday life becomes more manageable again. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/beratungsstelle))
Directions, Tram, and Parking at Berliner Straße 137
NOW! Potsdam is located at Berliner Straße 137 in Potsdam, in the Berliner Vorstadt area, approximately at the height of Nuthestraße. According to the official contact page, the rooms are located behind the main building in a coach house; the entrance is on the right side. This is important for visitors because the facility does not appear as a classic street-front location but is set back a bit. For those arriving by public transport, there are several options: Tram 93 stops at Schiffbauergasse/Berliner Str., and Tram 94 and Tram 99 stop at Holzmarktstr. This makes the location easily accessible from several directions, especially for people who do not want or cannot use their own car. At the same time, it should be noted that there are only a few parking spaces available on the premises. For a facility that receives many families, children, adolescents, and professionals, the recommendation is clear: If possible, plan to arrive by tram or allow sufficient buffer time. This way, counseling can begin without additional stress, which is a real advantage, especially in the case of psychological burdens. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
The contact page also mentions a barrier-free access as a possible concern that can be indicated when requesting an appointment. Although this is not a blanket statement about overall architectural accessibility, it shows that individual needs can be taken into account in advance. This is particularly relevant for families in stressful life situations because organizational hurdles often create pressure even before the actual conversation. The combination of a central location, tram connection, and the note about few parking spaces helps in realistically planning the visit. Those coming with children, companions, or after a tiring day benefit from knowing the route and contact method in advance. For SEO and usability, this information is particularly valuable because directions and parking are among the most frequently searched practical questions and directly influence access to help. NOW! Potsdam answers these questions transparently, creating clarity even before the conversation begins. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/kontakt))
Outreach Family Therapy in the Familiar Environment
A central offer from NOW! Potsdam is outreach family therapy, short AFT. It is aimed at families with psychological burdens or families that are in ongoing, repeated, or acute crises. The facility describes AFT as a low-threshold therapeutic offer that aims to initiate changes and make intra-family role and relationship dynamics visible. The outreach character is particularly important: the therapy primarily takes place in the family's familiar living environment because many families cannot regularly use offers with a pure come-structure in stressful situations. This is a significant practical advantage because it allows work with the entire family and their social environment. The work is systemic and solution-oriented, allowing new patterns of action and competencies to be developed. In addition, NOW! works in this area in a co-team with two therapists, which enables closer support and different professional perspectives. According to the website, the offer is available within the context of youth welfare; costs can be covered by the youth welfare office, and self-payers are also possible. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
The process of AFT is clearly structured but remains flexible enough to adapt to the specific family situation. Typically, one to two weekly sessions take place over a total duration of about six to twelve months. At the beginning, anamnesis and initial conversation take place, in which the family history, structures, problems, and strengths are recorded. Then, goals, expectations, framework conditions, and confidentiality are discussed together. Subsequently, the work can take place in the home environment or at other relevant locations, such as in school or in other everyday contexts. The therapeutic work aims to observe interactions, communication patterns, and dynamics and to stimulate positive changes with suitable methods. Crisis intervention is also part of the concept so that acute burdens are not just endured but addressed. At the end of the support, there is a closing phase and follow-up care, in which progress is evaluated and strategies for the time after therapy are developed. This combination of proximity, structure, and systemic work makes AFT a particularly intensive and simultaneously everyday-oriented offer. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/aufsuchende-familientherapie))
Children's Group NOW! and Group Offer for Adults
The children's group NOW! is an important offer for children and adolescents living with a mentally ill parent. The website describes that many children in such families have similar experiences: they feel insecure in dealing with their parents, seek explanations for confusing behavior, worry, or blame themselves. Some take on adult responsibilities too early, care for siblings, or experience shame and anger because family life is significantly different from that of their friends. Since 2019, NOW! has been offering a weekly group in its own rooms for this purpose. It is not only about imparting knowledge but also about protective factors: knowledge about illness and stable external relationships are considered important building blocks to strengthen children and adolescents. In the group, participants should experience that they are not alone, can ask questions, and have a place where they can be themselves. This makes the children's group an offer that combines emotional relief, orientation, and belonging. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/kindergruppe-now))
There is also a group offer for adults aimed at parents or guardians with mental illnesses. The website emphasizes that mental illnesses are often not visible from the outside but can have a massive impact on the lives of those affected, their families, and their environment. With the illness often come isolation, poverty, anxiety, and shame, especially when those affected are parents themselves. The group at NOW! therefore sees itself as a supportive offer that takes place once a week and is accompanied within the framework of integration assistance. In a protected setting, participants can reflect on social relationships, recognize relationship patterns, name limits of burden, develop empathy, and talk about shame, fears, or formative experiences. This is not only therapeutically relevant but also important for the parental role because stable relationships and realistic self-perception often determine relief in everyday life. Together with the children's group, this adult offer forms a family approach that keeps both generations in view and does not only address one side of the burden. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/gruppenangebot-fur-erwachsene))
Clearing, Outpatient Assistance, and School Absenteeism Project SIB
In addition to counseling and group work, NOW! Potsdam also offers clearing and outpatient assistance. The outpatient offers are aimed at families in the area of child and youth welfare and include flexible assistance according to SGB VIII, including assistance for upbringing and supervised contact. The website lists specific contents such as social pedagogical family assistance, counseling for parents on educational issues, support in dealing with mental illness, crisis plans, understanding of illness, and help in finding therapists. For children and adolescents, this can mean that they are accompanied in cases of developmental difficulties, behavioral problems in daycare and school, conflicts with parents or friends, self-harming behavior, substance abuse, or parentification. Clearing, on the other hand, serves to systematically capture resources, problem situations, and risks. An interdisciplinary team consisting of a psychological or family therapeutic specialist and a social pedagogical specialist develops a well-founded recommendation for tailored assistance, which is forwarded to the youth welfare office. The recommendations should also be compatible with other social codes. This is particularly helpful in complex family situations because not every situation can be resolved with a single instrument of assistance. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/ambulante-angebote))
Another component is the school absenteeism project SIB, which NOW! describes as a structured cooperation partner for schools, parents, and professionals. According to the official presentation, school absenteeism is increasing in Potsdam, and teachers, school social work, and school psychology report complex case developments, unclear responsibilities, and a lack of structures for cross-system cooperation. SIB addresses exactly this and offers case discussions, case supervision, professional events, a best-practice network, and cooperative help planning. The goal is to jointly develop viable support plans that involve the child, family, and all participating systems. It is also relevant that the project is financed by free funds from the state capital Potsdam, according to the website. From an SEO perspective, this information is particularly strong because it shows the breadth of the offer: NOW! Potsdam is not only a counseling center for families but also a hub for networked help planning, school-related crisis work, and professional collaboration. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Offers for Professionals, Counseling, and Training
NOW! Potsdam explicitly sees itself as a resource for professionals. The website describes that the offer, as a networked specialized offer from child and youth welfare and adult psychiatry, brings comprehensive and practical expertise. This knowledge is aimed at educational professionals, teachers, school social work, school psychology, and other agencies working with families in stressful situations. The support includes case-related counseling and training, not only individual case assistance but also further education and collegial reflection. Particularly helpful is that NOW! conducts seminars both in its own rooms and as in-house offers in institutions. Before the seminar, scope, group size, format, location, equipment, and didactic wishes are discussed to ensure that the offer meets the needs of the respective institution. This is an important point because effective cooperation in the help system often fails due to tailored communication, not due to a lack of willingness. NOW! addresses this need precisely and creates a space where experience, expertise, and concrete questions come together. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte))
The website lists a number of specific topics for training and counseling: better understanding and supporting parents with borderline personality disorder, crazy childhood and strengthening children of mentally ill parents, parents with depression, strengthening conversations with children about mental illnesses, and better understanding and supporting parents who have been complexly traumatized in relationships. Additionally, NOW! refers to knowledge dissemination about care systems such as child and youth welfare, medical care, and self-help, as well as communication and conflict counseling with parents and children. This is particularly relevant for professionals because many cases fail not due to a lack of information but due to high complexity. NOW! does not offer abstract theory here but practical orientation that can be directly translated into professional relationships. Those working with families that are psychologically burdened will find a place that can provide both professional and human relief. In this way, NOW! complements family-related work with a second level: help for those who help, moderate, mediate, and stabilize within the system. ([now-potsdam.de](https://www.now-potsdam.de/angebote/angebote-fachkraefte?utm_source=openai))
Sources:
Upcoming Events
No events found
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
No reviews found