Dear Berliner Self-Helper,

Welcome to our second post as part of this publication called Thriving in Berlin: Your Personal Guide to Berlin-Wide Self-Empowerment Resources!

In this post we have a thought piece by the July Come Together participants differentiating therapy from self-help. Secondly, we are featuring a self-organized creativity and wellbeing group called: The Brush Strokes Society. And lastly, we have a few invitations and announcements! Enjoy!

Let's go! 👇👇👇

Perspective: Therapy vs. Self-Help

What is the difference between therapy and self-help?

When we talk about therapy here in this post - we mean any kind of medical treatment that is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a medical diagnosis. That can be physical therapy or talk therapy...among others.

So, what’s the difference between therapy and self-help?

During July’s Come Together event, we talked out loud among self-help newbies and seasoned self-helpers to explore this question...

We came up with three main differences that we felt did a good job of helping to differentiate this core understanding when it comes to taking your wellbeing into your own hands:

1️⃣ Self-help doesn’t involve professionals: Indeed, self-help is about applying your own will to take things into your own hands outside of any therapies or other prescriptive ideas given to you by “professionals”. Most self-help groups are peer-led and there are no professional doctors or therapists present. Also, the form and content of any self-help regimen whether it be in a self-help group or not is not dictated by a professional either. It's established by the person helping themselves or the members of a self-help group.

2️⃣ Self-help is done alone and/or with peers: Self-help is an array of activities that one can undertake to simply better one’s own life. This can be done on your own by reading books and researching. It also includes things like meditating and doing body and breath work…and much more. AND it’s also often done together in peer-led groups. Where there is no hierarchy and everyone is coming together to share their different perspectives with a common goal: to have a good life!

3️⃣ Self-help assumes that YOU are your own authority: Therapy is usually given on the basis of a certain diagnosis which is also given through an authority figure (often a medical professional)...this implies that the source of authority is outside of any individual. However, through the lens of self-help: the only source of authority comes from within the individual and so the individual is the ultimate decision maker about whether or not the diagnosis means something to them, what that means, and whether or not they want to treat the diagnosis, replace, or compliment said treatment or therapy with self-help. Sometimes, we get told that we have a virus and receive steps on how to heal, but we still decide to go about healing in our own way - that is the difference.

Feature: The Brush Strokes Society 🖌️🎨✨🌎

Wondering what happens in real-life self-help groups?!?!

This month we are featuring a creative self-help group that supports each other in the various mental challenges that come with living in Berlin after moving here from abroad. It’s The Brush Strokes Society. This group meets every Sunday in a cafe to explore their shared love for drawing and painting while working through their mental challenges as immigrants together. We asked the founder, May, a few questions to get an inside view…

Why does this group meet?

We meet to make connections, for personal development, and for sharing and caring for each other.

What shared challenge brings you together?

The thing that brought our group together is a shared passion and love for drawing and painting. Everyone wants to express their creativity, learn more deeply about art, or simply spend time drawing and painting with like-minded individuals. Moreover, this place is intended to be a healing spot where we can relax and unwind, and a small family where we can care for and support each other. Building a positive environment together through art is the force that unites us.

What shared results have been accomplished so far?

Our group has not only improved our art skills but also built a close-knit community. Learning together, supporting each other, and fostering an environment where each individual's creativity can be fully expressed is our greatest shared result.

What’s changed for you and the other members since being active in this group?

By participating in this group, our members have been able to overcome mental barriers that they previously held back from due to fear of making mistakes or thinking they couldn't do it. They've gained increased self-confidence that they can create much more and draw much better than they imagined. They've also discovered the ability to freely express their emotions through art. All of us feel more connected, more at home in Berlin, and more empowered. Both our mental health and mindset have improved, and we've been able to live life more meaningfully by sharing art and happiness.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to start a group?

'Don't be afraid!' It's important to set aside thoughts of not being good enough or not knowing how, and to simply start. Don't worry about making mistakes. All of us grow by learning from our mistakes. By joining a group like this, you will surely gain skills you didn't know you had, and unexpected good friends.

What’s been the “glue” keeping you all together?

Sharing & Caring (We feel like a family by sharing art and emotions, and caring for each other).

How can people join your group?

By joining the WhatsApp Group Chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LWfyD5n8WK22xxHcFobafk.

Invitations and Announcements:

You’re Invited to the next Come Together!

Who: Anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 interested in self-help or already experienced!

What: A chill come together among peers hosted by SEKIS in our own room in a board game cafe

When: Every last Tuesday of the month! Next: 26 August 2025 from 7pm

Where: Café Tales Untold, Am Comeniusplatz 1, 10243 Berlin

Why: Learn first hand what it's like to be in a self-help group, be brave and share your experiences and ask your questions!

Language: The predominant language is German, but the event is open to both German and English. It's also a great way to practice your German!

SEKIS Self-Help School:

You can attend any of our various Workshops (currently all in German). If you have a wish or an idea for a workshop and are experienced in Self-help - please write to us with your pitch! We are currently building the program for next year and would love to hear from you!

The current program until the end of this year can be found here in German!

Content Creation Volunteers Wanted!

We are looking for volunteers to help spread awareness and document self-help knowledge and happenings around Berlin! Help yourself, by helping others and write to us today to let us know the who, what, when, and why of your content creation contributions for our cause! This team will have up to 5 volunteers at a time and we will have regular meetings and A LOT of fun! Send your pitch, here!

That’s the end of this month’s Thriving in Berlin post! We thank all the contributors and hope you enjoyed reading and look forward to catching you soon at an upcoming event or get-together!

Keep Thriving!

Taylor Coburn

Project Manager Self-Help Berlin

P.S. Did you learn something new or get a new idea while reading this post? Let us know what you think by replying to this email! We look forward to hearing from you.

Self-Help Berlin is an awareness project for international people in Berlin by SEKIS (Self-Help Contact and Information Center). Sponsored by Techniker Krankenkasse. Thank you to our sponsors!

Thriving in Berlin — Your Personal Guide to Berlin-Wide Self-Empowerment Resources ✨

What differentiates therapy and self-help? 💭