Karin Bensinger, Adlerian guide in Berlin and online

Who is Karin Bensinger?

I am Karin Bensinger, married and mother of two daughters. I graduated from the Adler Institute in Israel and have many years of experience working with children, parents and couples.

For about seven years I have lived in Berlin, accompanying individuals, couples and families, including those going through relocation and adapting to a new life abroad.

I believe the guidance space should allow us to bring our full selves, with all the complexity, difficulties and feelings that often have no place in daily life. This is a space where we can take off the masks, slow down, and truly look at what is happening.

My clients know they can 'come in pajamas': an invitation to be authentic, imperfect, human. At a time when everything is under pressure to look good and be perfect, I want to create a space with room for what is less photogenic, because that is often where real change begins.

How the Adlerian approach shapes my work

My work is rooted in the ideas of Alfred Adler, who saw people as social beings whose behavior makes sense once we understand what they are trying to achieve. At the heart of this view is the need to belong and to feel significant, in a family, a relationship or a community.

In practice this means I look at patterns rather than blame. When a child keeps testing limits or a couple keeps having the same argument, I am curious about the purpose behind it and what each person needs in order to feel secure and valued.

Encouragement is central to how I work. I believe people change more easily when they feel respected and capable, and when they allow themselves the courage to be imperfect. You can read more about the ideas behind this on my page about what Adlerian guidance is and how it works.

Who I work with

I work with people at many stages of life, and often with those who are navigating a big change. Some come for a specific question, others simply feel that something needs to shift.

• Parents who want less conflict and more connection at home, through Adlerian parent guidance
• Couples who feel stuck, distant or caught in repeating arguments
• Families looking for a shared way to talk, decide and cooperate
• Individuals facing a transition, a crossroads or a sense of being lost
• Families and couples going through relocation and the adjustment to life abroad
• Israeli and Hebrew-speaking families, and international families, living in Berlin or elsewhere

My training and professional background

I am a graduate of the Adler Institute in Israel, where I trained in the Adlerian approach. Since then I have gained many years of experience working with children, parents and couples, and for about the past seven years I have been doing this work in Berlin.

It is important to me to be clear about what I offer. My work is guidance: practical, reflective support for everyday life, relationships and parenting. It is not psychotherapy or clinical treatment, and it is not a substitute for mental-health care. If you are in acute distress or crisis, please reach out to a qualified professional or to emergency services.

Languages and where we can meet

I work in English and in Hebrew. Some people prefer Hebrew because it is the language they grew up with and feel in, while international couples and families may choose English as a shared language.

We can meet in person at my practice in Berlin, or online via Zoom. Online sessions make it possible to work together from anywhere in the world, which can be a real relief for expat families whose lives are already full of logistics.

What working together looks like

There is no fixed script, but the process usually follows a simple path that leaves room for your pace and style.

• A short, free, no-obligation intro conversation on WhatsApp, so we can get to know each other and see if we are a good fit
• A first session to gather information and define what you would like to change
• Weekly sessions at the pace, depth and style that suit you
• Practical tools, insights and practices you can bring into daily life

How to start working with me

The easiest first step is to send me a message on WhatsApp. You do not need to have the right words or a clear plan. A few lines about what is going on is enough, and we can take it from there together.

If you are not sure whether you need support as a parent, as a couple or as a family, that is completely fine. We can explore it in our first conversation, and you can also look through the family guidance page to see what that work can include.