igst - Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e. V.

What igst - Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e. V. does

IGST - Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e. V. is a German registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Heidelberg at Bergheimerstraße 33, operating as one of Germany's established institutes for accredited continuing education in systemic therapy, counseling, and supervision. The organization serves psychosocial professionals — including psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, educators, social workers, and medical doctors — who require recognized certifications to practice or advance within the field. Its core product is a three-year Weiterbildung (continuing education) in systemic therapy and counseling, supplemented by an advanced Aufbauweiterbildung in Systemische Supervision (2026-2028), a curriculum of compact seminars (Kompaktseminare), individual seminars (Einzelseminare), and self-experience seminars (Selbsterfahrungs-Seminare), plus specialized verticals including couple counseling (Paarberatung), sex therapy/consultation (Sexualberatung/Sexualtherapie), and parental coaching (Elterncoaching). Training is delivered both in-person (primarily Heidelberg, plus Hamburg venues) and online via Zoom.

There is no proprietary technology platform; IGST operates a conventional website (igst.org) used as the primary marketing, enrollment, and information hub, supplemented by a self-serve shopping cart, downloadable application forms, email inquiry, and free online info evenings (Online-Infoabende) as lead-generation mechanisms. Revenue is generated through fixed-fee program packages sold as multi-module curricula (e.g., €2,160–€2,400 for foundational courses, €3,730–€5,670 for advanced certifications, €320–€400 for compact seminars), with SEPA direct-debit installment payments available. Programs are officially recognized by Systemische Gesellschaft e.V. (SG), DGSF, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sexualforschung (DGfS), which confers professional credentialing. The faculty comprises 5 core LehrtherapeutInnen — Prof. Ulrich Clement, Dr. Hans Rudi Fischer, Dr. Bernd Schumacher, Sonja Hofmann, and Nele Sehrt — supported by 37 named guest lecturers. The institute maintains a public directory of 216 certified systemic therapists and 93 systemic supervisors, functioning as both a credentialing asset and a referral network. GTM is event-driven and self-serve: prospective participants browse the website, attend free info evenings, submit applications for restricted programs, and pay per block or module.

Name

igst - Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e. V.

Legal name

Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e.V.

Website

https://igst.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IGST is a German non-profit association headquartered in Heidelberg that provides accredited continuing education and certifications in systemic therapy, counseling, and supervision for psychosocial professionals including psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Therapy Training & Continuing Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Adult Learner Support Services (Advising, Case Management, Wraparound Supports) (EDAAABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)

Keywords

• Systemic therapy training
• Professional psychotherapy education
• Supervision certification courses
• Couple and family counseling
• Continuing education therapists

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Programs: IGST generates revenue primarily through multi-day, multi-module professional training programs in systemic therapy, counseling, and supervision. Programs are sold as full packages (e.g., 5-module or 9-module curricula) at fixed total prices, with optional per-module installment payments via SEPA direct debit. Participants pay per block or module, and payments are due 14 days before program commencement upon receipt of invoice.
2. Single Seminars and Workshops: One-time fees are charged for individual seminars, compact seminars (Kompaktseminare), and self-experience seminars (Selbsterfahrungs-Seminare). These are booked per event via the website or direct email.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IGST e.V. is a German non-profit registered association that delivers accredited professional training and continuing education in systemic therapy, counseling, and supervision. It sells multi-year curricula (a 3-year core Weiterbildung, Grundkurs, Aufbaukurs, Praxisjahr), advanced certification tracks (Systemische Supervision, Paarberatung, Paartherapie, Sexualberatung, Sexualtherapie, Elterncoaching), and standalone single seminars, compact seminars (Kompaktseminare), and self-experience seminars (Selbsterfahrungs-Seminare) to psychosocial professionals, primarily delivered in Heidelberg and Hamburg with online modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weiterbildung Systemische Therapie und Beratung Three-year accredited continuing education program in systemic therapy and counseling, structured into theory, practice, and self-experience modules and recognized by leading German systemic therapy bodies. Targeted at psychosocial professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, educators, medical doctors) seeking certified systemic therapy credentials.
• Aufbauweiterbildung Systemische Supervision 2026-2028 Advanced multi-block training program in systemic supervision running 2026-2028, comprising 100 WE theory, 25 WE Selbsterfahrung, 75 WE supervision, 30 LE Intervision, 50 LE practice, and 20 LE Eigenarbeit (300 WE/LE total). Recognized by Systemische Gesellschaft e.V. (SG); targeted at experienced practitioners pursuing supervisor certification.
• Grundkurs 2026 (Basic Course) Foundational 6-block course (150 teaching hours) in systemic therapy, offered in weekday (Mo-Mi) and weekend (Fr-So) formats, delivered in Heidelberg. Targeted at entry-level psychosocial professionals beginning formal systemic training.
• Praxisjahr 2026 (Practice Year) One-year practice-oriented program of 6 blocks (150 teaching hours) designed to apply systemic therapy methods in clinical practice, offered in weekday and weekend formats.
• Aufbaukurs 2027/2028 (Advanced Course) Advanced 6-block course (3-day blocks each) building on the Grundkurs, designed to deepen systemic therapy competencies over approximately one year.
• Systemisch-Integrative Paarberatung 2026/2027 Five-module (80 UE) integrative systemic couple counseling program with modules in Heidelberg and Hamburg; priced at €320 per module (€1,600 total). Targeted at counselors and psychotherapists seeking specialization in couple work.
• Konzeptionelle Paarberatung Conceptual couple counseling program of three 3-day blocks (€400 per block, €1,200 total) led by Peter Ecker; targeted at therapists seeking a foundational framework for systemic couple counseling.
• Systemisch-Integrative Sexualberatung DGfS 2027 Advanced training program in systemic-integrative sexual counseling, certified by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sexualforschung (DGfS); consists of 5 two-day modules (80 UE) at €360 per module (€1,800 total). Targeted at counselors and psychotherapists pursuing DGfS-recognized sexual counseling credentials.
• Systemisch-Integrative Paartherapie SG 2028 Nine-module SG-certified systemic-integrative couple therapy program priced at €450 per module (€4,050 total); an additional ~€750 for 50 UE external supervision is not included. Targeted at experienced psychotherapists seeking certified couple therapy credentials.
• Systemisch-Integrative Sexualtherapie DGfS 2028 Nine-block DGfS-certified systemic-integrative sexual therapy program priced at €630 per block (€5,670 total); an additional ~€900 for 60 UE external supervision and €120 DGfS administration fee are not included. Targeted at therapists seeking DGfS-certified sexual therapy credentials; modules delivered in Hamburg and Heidelberg.
• Systemisches Elterncoaching 2027 Four-block systemic parent coaching program (€400 per block, €1,600 total) covering foundations of systemic parent and family counseling, delivered at PARITÄTISCHE Forum am Park Heidelberg in cooperation with sys.team Institute Fulda. Targeted at educators, counselors, and family coaches.
• Persönlichkeitsentwicklung, Zielfokussierung und Ressourcenstärkung Seminar Two-block seminar on personality development, goal focusing and resource strengthening in a systemic context (€400 total); Block 1 in-person at zsfb Heidelberg, Block 2 online. Targeted at psychosocial professionals; eligible for KOMPASS ESF funding for eligible freelancers.
• Kinderwunsch & Kinderlosigkeit in Therapie & Beratung Seminar Weekend online seminar (via Zoom) on desire for children and childlessness in therapy and counseling, priced at €320. Targeted at therapists and counselors working with clients facing fertility issues.
• Systemisch Arbeiten mit Schulkindern, Jugendlichen und Familien Seminar Weekend seminar on systemic work with schoolchildren, adolescents, and families, priced at €320. Targeted at educators, school psychologists, counselors, and family therapists.
• Systemische Therapie von Angststörungen Online Seminar Online seminar on systemic therapy of anxiety disorders; price is set in the booking system and not displayed on the event page. Targeted at psychotherapists and counselors treating anxiety.
• Eine Nacht im Wald - Selbsterfahrungs-Seminar Overnight nature-based self-experience seminar in the Odenwald forest near Heidelberg, priced at €120 per person; 10% of proceeds are donated to a non-profit forest conservation organization. Targeted at training participants seeking nature-based Selbsterfahrung.
• Psychische Störungen als menschliche Probleme Seminar Three-day online seminar on reframing mental disorders as human problems, priced at €360. Targeted at therapists and counselors seeking systemic perspectives on psychiatric diagnoses.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• KOMPASS - Kompakte Hilfe für Solo-Selbstständige (ESF program)minorOthersKOMPASS is a German government-supported assistance program (ESF - European Social Fund) offering funding support for solo self-employed individuals. IGST highlights that the Persönlichkeitsentwicklung seminar qualifies for KOMPASS funding, providing financial assistance to eligible freelancers pursuing professional development.
• zsfb - Zentrum für systemische Forschung und Beratung GmbHminorOthersThe zsfb (Center for Systemic Research and Consulting) is a related institute in Heidelberg that co-hosts and provides the venue for some IGST seminars (e.g., Persönlichkeitsentwicklung seminar at Gaisbergstr. 3). Dr. Johanna Dunkl serves as a trainer for zsfb as well as IGST.
• sys.team Institute (Fulda)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Systemisches Elterncoaching 2027 program is offered in cooperation with the sys.team institute in Fulda. This is a joint training program delivery arrangement between the two institutes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Milton Erickson Gesellschaft (MEG): German professional association providing accredited Weiterbildung in systemic/hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, serving a similar audience of psychologists, psychotherapists, and counselors with comparable multi-year certification tracks.
• Heidelberger Institut für Systemische Forschung: Heidelberg-based research and training institute chaired by Dr. Hans Rudi Fischer (also IGST's 2nd Chairman). Offers comparable systemic therapy, supervision, and organizational development training with shared faculty overlap.
• Helm Stierlin Institut Heidelberg: Heidelberg-based family therapy institute with deep historical roots in systemic therapy (named after Helm Stierlin). Provides Weiterbildung and supervision programs that directly compete with IGST for the same Heidelberg-centered professional audience.
• ISBT – Institut für Systemische Beratung und Therapie Berlin: Berlin-based systemic therapy training institute offering comparable multi-year curricula (Grundkurs, Aufbaukurs, Praxisjahr) recognized by DGSF/SG; overlaps with IGST on target audience and program structure.
• Wieslocher Institut für Systemische Lösungen (WISL): Wiesloch-based systemic therapy and organizational consulting training institute offering comparable compact seminars and Weiterbildung tracks for psychosocial professionals in the Rhine-Neckar region.
• zsfb – Zentrum für Systemische Forschung und Beratung GmbH: Affiliated Heidelberg institute where Dr. Fischer is Geschäftsführer and that co-hosts IGST seminars at Gaisbergstraße 3. Provides overlapping systemic therapy and counseling training with shared instructors (e.g., Dr. Johanna Dunkl).
• Sys.team Institute (Fulda): German systemic therapy and coaching training institute that already co-delivers IGST's Systemisches Elterncoaching 2027 program. Comparable offering: structured multi-year Weiterbildung in systemic coaching, therapy, and team consultation for psychosocial professionals.
• Centrum für Integrative Therapie (CIT): Aachen-based training institute offering accredited systemic therapy and counseling Weiterbildung; competes for the same DACH psychosocial professional audience pursuing SG/DGSF-recognized certifications.

Broad incumbents

• DGSF – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Systemische Familientherapie: National professional body that certifies systemic family therapy training programs; accredits IGST and many peer institutes. While not itself a training provider, it shapes certification standards and influences participant choice of institute.
• Systemische Gesellschaft e.V. (SG): Umbrella professional association for systemic therapy in Germany that accredits IGST's programs. Not a direct training competitor, but its member institutes collectively offer similar Weiterbildung and certification pathways, defining the competitive set IGST operates within.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IGST-eV-Heidelberg-100663645417840
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/internationale-gesellschaft-f%C3%BCr-systemische-therapie
• Instagraminstagram.com/igst.heidelberg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about igst - Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie e. V.