Therapiewege

Therapiewege is a term used in some German-speaking contexts to describe a flexible framework for designing mental health treatment, emphasizing individualized, pathway-driven care. The word combines Therapie (therapy) and Wege (paths), signaling a shift from standardized protocols toward patient-guided routes through therapeutic options. It is not a formal diagnostic category or universally defined treatment modality, but rather a concept used to discuss how care can be tailored.

In practice, Therapiewege involves an initial assessment of symptoms, functioning, preferences, and goals, followed by the creation of a personalized care plan that maps different therapeutic options along a continuum. Pathways may include psychotherapy modalities (for example CBT, psychodynamic, or interpersonal therapy), pharmacotherapy when appropriate, lifestyle and psychoeducation components, and social or community supports. The approach emphasizes shared decision-making, modular treatment elements, and regular re-evaluation to adjust the plan as needs change.

Settings for Therapiewege include primary care clinics, community mental health services, and integrated care programs where multiple disciplines coordinate care. The model aligns with principles of stepped care, patient-centered care, and modular or transdiagnostic approaches to mental health.

Evidence and reception: because Therapiewege is a broad, concept-based idea rather than a single standardized protocol, empirical validation varies. Some programs report improved engagement or flexibility, but systematic evaluations are limited. Critics caution that without clear guidelines and training, pathway-based care risks fragmentation or uneven quality.

See also: stepped care, integrative care, patient-centered care.