My name is Gregor (some may still know me by my other first name, Patrick). I’m 42 years old, a gay cis man, neurodivergent (HSP), and originally from Berlin. These days, I live in the hills near Florence, Italy, together with my husband, a mischievous former farm cat, and our two rescue dogs — a mother and daughter pair.
Psychological research shows that one of the most significant factors in therapy is the relationship between client and therapist — often referred to as the “therapeutic alliance.” I work from a humanistic perspective: in our sessions, you’ll meet me as a real, present and authentic person. Unlike the silent psychoanalyst behind the couch, I don’t believe in keeping myself a mystery. That’s why I want to share a bit about myself here — to give you a sense of who I am, how I work, and what has shaped me along the way. If you’re curious, you’ll also get a glimpse into my somewhat winding professional journey.
In my own practice since 2014, (volunteer since 2014 and) employed from 2017 - 2021 at the Berlin Gay Health Centre (Schwulenberatung Berlin), then freelance work, among others at Corrente, voiio, and the Haufe Academy. Remote work since 2020, partly in English. Trainer of several workshops and expert for diversity management. Since 2022, trainer of medical staff for the German Aids Aid (Deutsche Aidshilfe) in the project: “Let’s talk about sex 2.0”. Volunteer supporter of the “It’s complicated” initiative #therapistsforukraine. Additionally to many years of own therapy experience, for quality assurance I am regularly supervised and I take part in intercollegiate exchange.
In addition to the professional focus (mental health of queer people and diversity management), co-moderation of the Respect Gaymes 2018 and one of 185 queer signatories of the #actout manifesto (Feb. 4, 2021; SZ), both still under my old name: Patrick Diemling.
Currently developing Queeriksen S.r.l. as a social enterprise umbrella brand for Queer Counselling and a queer publishing house. A portion of future profits will support the non-profit association (ETS) "Santuario di Gregor – Spazio sicuro per animali e umani" (2025), which I founded and preside over. The vision is to create a queer-inclusive living and working community with a focus on animal protection and animal-assisted therapy.
Pedagogue
2014 - 2017 primary school and high school teacher for humanistic life skills (HVD Berlin-Brandenburg), 2010 - 2015 temporary helper as educator (Franziskushof Maierhöfen and others) and 2022 as a kindergarten teacher (various kindergartens in Norway), 2013 - 2014 individual case helper (Lebenshilfe BAB).
2007–2013 Research assistant & examiner at the University of Potsdam in the Institute for Religious Studies & Jewish Studies. 2012 Dr. phil. 2022 Supervisor of BA graduates in the psychology course at Ansgar Høyskole Kristiansand. 2013 - 2014 Emergency pastor and mission statement developer as assistant to the management at leben lernen am EDKE.
1999 - 2022: Actor (e. g. "Raffi" in "Donna Leon - Commissario Brunetti", ARD) and MC / moderator. All still under my old name (Patrick Diemling).
Looking at resources instead of deficits, what is the supposed problem a solution for?, in which contexts do the problems arise and when do they not?
being playful, spontaneous and creative, experiencing and feeling instead of just talking about it, catharsis through fictional dialogues or overdue letters.
talking to each other in a way that allows everyone involved to open up instead of attacking each other; articulating needs instead of accusing each other.
practical methods that enable change; cognitive restructuring, e.g. by identifying your "inner drivers" and using healing affirmations.
Inner child work using visualisation and parts work (Internal Family Systems / inner cast). Emotional anchoring through affirmations and body memory. Motivation building with the Zurich Resource Model (ZRM). Emotional processing through psychodrama and, where appropriate, hypnotherapy
agnostic (i.e. non-religious) conversation space; encounter at eye level from person to person; looking at each client as an individual person, focusing on their uniqueness, autonomy and their own development potential.
Additionally to many years of own therapy experience, for quality assurance I am regularly supervised, take part in intercollegiate exchange, and occasionally invite clients to provide voluntary feedback during or at the end of the counselling process. As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I am committed to their Ethical Framework and act according to its principles of integrity, confidentiality, respect and professional responsibility.
Berlin (home town), Florence (home), Glasgow & Potsdam (studies), Kyoto & Iceland (most impressive vacations)
2025
Advanced Training: The Hypnotherapeutic Toolbox (IfHE Berlin), Introduction to hypnotherapy (IfHE Berlin)
Advanced Training: Introduction to Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) (DGVT, Online)
2024
Advanced Training: Mental Health in Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy (GSRD) (Pink Therapy, London, online)
2018
Summer school: Skills in Couple Work (Tavistock Relationships London)
2018–2020
Systemic Supervisor (BIF Berlin)
2015–2017
Systemic Counsellor (GST Berlin)
2015–2017
Psychodrama practitioner (Psychodramaforum Berlin)
2013–2014
Non-medical healer ("Heilpraktiker") for psychotherapy (Gesundheitsamt Berlin Tempelhof-Schöneberg)
2009–2011
Certificate in Higher Education Teaching (“Hochschullehre Brandenburg”, Network for Quality in Studies – sqb)
2007–2012
Dr phil (Universität Potsdam, Institut für Religionswissenschaft & Jüdische Studien)
2006–2007
Master of Theology (University of Glasgow)
2002–2006
Pre-Diploma: Protestant theology (Humboldt Universität Berlin)
1992
Swimming badge: sea horse (Primary school Brandwerder)
Enough about me? Let's talk about you now!
My name is Gregor (some may still know me by my other first name, Patrick). I’m 42 years old, a gay cis man, neurodivergent (HSP), and originally from Berlin. These days, I live in the hills near Florence, Italy, together with my husband, a mischievous former farm cat, and our two rescue dogs — a mother and daughter pair.
Psychological research shows that one of the most significant factors in therapy is the relationship between client and therapist — often referred to as the “therapeutic alliance.” I work from a humanistic perspective: in our sessions, you’ll meet me as a real, present and authentic person. Unlike the silent psychoanalyst behind the couch, I don’t believe in keeping myself a mystery. That’s why I want to share a bit about myself here — to give you a sense of who I am, how I work, and what has shaped me along the way. If you’re curious, you’ll also get a glimpse into my somewhat winding professional journey.
In my own practice since 2014, (volunteer since 2014 and) employed from 2017 - 2021 at the Berlin Gay Health Centre (Schwulenberatung Berlin), then freelance work, among others at Corrente, voiio, and the Haufe Academy. Remote work since 2020, partly in English. Trainer of several workshops and expert for diversity management. Since 2022, trainer of medical staff for the German Aids Aid (Deutsche Aidshilfe) in the project: “Let’s talk about sex 2.0”. Volunteer supporter of the “It’s complicated” initiative #therapistsforukraine. Additionally to many years of own therapy experience, for quality assurance I am regularly supervised and I take part in intercollegiate exchange.
In addition to the professional focus (mental health of queer people and diversity management), co-moderation of the Respect Gaymes 2018 and one of 185 queer signatories of the #actout manifesto (Feb. 4, 2021; SZ), both still under my old name: Patrick Diemling.
Currently developing Queeriksen S.r.l. as a social enterprise umbrella brand for Queer Counselling and a queer publishing house. A portion of future profits will support the non-profit association (ETS) "Santuario di Gregor – Spazio sicuro per animali e umani" (2025), which I founded and preside over. The vision is to create a queer-inclusive living and working community with a focus on animal protection and animal-assisted therapy.
Pedagogue
2014 - 2017 primary school and high school teacher for humanistic life skills (HVD Berlin-Brandenburg), 2010 - 2015 temporary helper as educator (Franziskushof Maierhöfen and others) and 2022 as a kindergarten teacher (various kindergartens in Norway), 2013 - 2014 individual case helper (Lebenshilfe BAB).
2007–2013 Research assistant & examiner at the University of Potsdam in the Institute for Religious Studies & Jewish Studies. 2012 Dr. phil. 2022 Supervisor of BA graduates in the psychology course at Ansgar Høyskole Kristiansand. 2013 - 2014 Emergency pastor and mission statement developer as assistant to the management at leben lernen am EDKE.
1999 - 2022: Actor (e. g. "Raffi" in "Donna Leon - Commissario Brunetti", ARD) and MC / moderator. All still under my old name (Patrick Diemling).
Looking at resources instead of deficits, what is the supposed problem a solution for?, in which contexts do the problems arise and when do they not?
being playful, spontaneous and creative, experiencing and feeling instead of just talking about it, catharsis through fictional dialogues or overdue letters.
talking to each other in a way that allows everyone involved to open up instead of attacking each other; articulating needs instead of accusing each other.
practical methods that enable change; cognitive restructuring, e.g. by identifying your "inner drivers" and using healing affirmations.
Inner child work using visualisation and parts work (Internal Family Systems / inner cast). Emotional anchoring through affirmations and body memory. Motivation building with the Zurich Resource Model (ZRM). Emotional processing through psychodrama and, where appropriate, hypnotherapy
agnostic (i.e. non-religious) conversation space; encounter at eye level from person to person; looking at each client as an individual person, focusing on their uniqueness, autonomy and their own development potential.
Additionally to many years of own therapy experience, for quality assurance I am regularly supervised, take part in intercollegiate exchange, and occasionally invite clients to provide voluntary feedback during or at the end of the counselling process. As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I am committed to their Ethical Framework and act according to its principles of integrity, confidentiality, respect and professional responsibility.
Berlin (home town), Florence (home), Glasgow & Potsdam (studies), Kyoto & Iceland (most impressive vacations)
2025
Advanced Training: The Hypnotherapeutic Toolbox (IfHE Berlin), Introduction to hypnotherapy (IfHE Berlin)
Advanced Training: Introduction to Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) (DGVT, Online)
2024
Advanced Training: Mental Health in Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy (GSRD) (Pink Therapy, London, online)
2018
Summer school: Skills in Couple Work (Tavistock Relationships London)
2018–2020
Systemic Supervisor (BIF Berlin)
2015–2017
Systemic Counsellor (GST Berlin)
2015–2017
Psychodrama practitioner (Psychodramaforum Berlin)
2013–2014
Non-medical healer ("Heilpraktiker") for psychotherapy (Gesundheitsamt Berlin Tempelhof-Schöneberg)
2009–2011
Certificate in Higher Education Teaching (“Hochschullehre Brandenburg”, Network for Quality in Studies – sqb)
2007–2012
Dr phil (Universität Potsdam, Institut für Religionswissenschaft & Jüdische Studien)
2006–2007
Master of Theology (University of Glasgow)
2002–2006
Pre-Diploma: Protestant theology (Humboldt Universität Berlin)
1992
Swimming badge: sea horse (Primary school Brandwerder)
Enough about me? Let's talk about you now!