Briefing
Before the court’s 1st major criminal division Heidelberg the key witness in the case against a former psychotherapist testified on 3 November 2026. According to the court and consistent media reports, the now 25-year-old described how what began as regular treatment in summer 2024 developed into private and eventually sexualised contact, allegedly culminating in multiple assaults at the practice.
The defendant made a partial confession at the start of the trial and described his conduct as a “serious mistake”. According to the indictment by the Heidelberg Public Prosecutor’s Office he is accused of 18 offences against the patient. Among other things, he allegedly gave her alcohol and cannabis and presented some assaults as “therapeutic role-playing”. A police investigator told the court that there had been meetings outside the sessions as well as intimate messages; items seized as evidence at the practice included handcuffs, ropes and other bondage equipment.
The The co-plaintiff considers the confession inadequate. The defendant admits to the acts but denies knowing about the witness’s previous traumatic experiences, her representative said. In addition to a prison sentence, the prosecution is seeking a professional ban. According to the defendant, he has already returned his licence to practise and is currently working as a coach.
The court has announced that it will hear further evidence and witness testimony. Any statements on the sentence and professional consequences are subject to the court’s assessment. Alongside the criminal-law issues, the case raises questions about the special relationship of trust in psychotherapeutic treatment and the possible exploitation of dependency; the Heidelberg Public Prosecutor’s Office referred to existing support services for victims in this connection.
The trial will continue. Its progress will depend on the decisions of Heidelberg Regional Court and the evidence presented during the proceedings. The presumption of innocence applies until the verdict.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).