Bi+ Competence Center
The Bi+ Competence Center offers support and counseling on the topic of Bi+ in all areas of life and work for bisexual and pansexual people, relatives and professionals in Berlin.
The three pillars of the Bi+ Competence Center project, which is funded by the state of Berlin, are empowerment, counseling and awareness-raising.
We offer empowerment and counseling in Berlin for all people within the Bi+ spectrum.
We also offer counseling for relatives, partners and friends. In addition to personal counseling, we also organize the Bi+ Relationship Meetup, a moderated group event for partners of Bi+ people to create a safe space for exchange.
In order to further promote social awareness of Bi+, we also make our expertise available to professionals, the Berlin administration, government agencies, civil society and politics. With our professional expertise, we support you with our individual advice and are happy to sensitize you and your team in workshops and lectures on bi+-specific topics.
Our counseling services
for bi+ people and relatives
We are here for you!
We offer support and counseling on the topic of bi+ in all areas of life and work. Our services are aimed at all people who identify as bi+ or describe themselves as questioning – regardless of whether you are out or not. This explicitly includes trans*, inter* and non-binary people. We also offer counseling to family members, partners and friends if they need support in connection with their loved one’s bisexuality.
Our counseling services at a glance:
Who does the Bi+ Competence Center advise?
- People who are part of the entire bi+ spectrum (bisexual / pansexual or -romantic), including trans*, inter* and non-binary people
- People who are still unsure about their sexual orientation and/or romantic identity (questioning).
- People who are not (yet) out.
- Relatives, partners and friends.
How long does a counseling session last?
Do I need an appointment or can I just drop by?
In what form do the counseling sessions take place? Do I have to come to you?
- Personal counseling: In our office at Feurigstraße 54, in 10827 Berlin-Schöneberg
- Telephone counseling
- Online counseling
- In writing by e-mail
- Anonymous counseling: On request, we also offer anonymous counseling where possible to offer you the greatest possible protection and confidentiality.
In which languages can counseling take place?
Are your rooms barrier-free?
- Our counseling rooms are wheelchair accessible.
- Our premises can be accessed via a lift. Please let us know in advance as our lift is not located at the main entrance.
- There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet
Can I also get anonymous advice from you?
We offer counseling on
Finding your identity & coming out
Relationship & family issues
Support with conflicts or separations, questions about non-heteronormative relationship models, family planning and communication in the family context.
Sexuality & health
Dealing with discrimination
Bi+ in the course of life
Crises
Are you wondering what specific topics we can support you with? You can find answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQ.
Way of working
Our philosophy
In our counseling sessions, we work continuously to create a space that is as safe as possible, in which you can feel accepted for who you are. In doing so, we constantly reflect on our attitude and our own social positioning and strive for a discrimination-sensitive and intersectional perspective that takes into account the fact that multiple discrimination and structural disadvantages (can) characterize your life.
Our method
The Bi+ Competence Center is based on systemic counseling, a proven and holistic method. The focus is on your concerns – not as an isolated problem, but embedded in the interactions with your social environment. Together, we look at your life situation from different perspectives in order to discover new possibilities for action. This method strengthens your self-efficacy and supports you in developing suitable solutions for yourself.
Our principles
- Confidentiality and anonymity:
- We guarantee confidentiality and will honour your request for anonymity as far as possible.
- Self-determination:
- You decide what to talk about and how deep we delve into topics.
- Sensitivity to discrimination:
- Your identity and lifestyle are not judged, but valued. We work from an intersectional perspective.
- Empowerment:
- Our aim is for you to leave the counseling session stronger and with new perspectives.
- Holistic perspective:
- We look at you and your social environment in order to understand connections and develop solutions.
We don’t give you any ready-made answers during our counseling, but want to support you in finding your own ways that suit you and your life situation.
Make an appointment
Dana Wetzel & Carolin Reiß
(all pronouns) & (they/them)
beratung@biberlin.de
Your contact person
I’m Carolin Reiß, a counsellor at the Bi+ Competence Center of BiBerlin e.V. As a Bi+ person, I know the thoughts, worries and fears that many of us share – including the question ‘Am I queer enough?’ or the feeling of not really feeling welcome in LGBTQIA+ spaces.
My aim is to create a safe space where you feel heard and supported with your individual concerns. Together, we can accompany you on your journey, whether it’s coming out, dealing with relationship and family issues or dealing with discriminatory experiences.
In addition to my own experience, I also bring expertise from my Master’s degree in ‘Gender, Intersectionality and Politics’ at the FU Berlin and my professional work in the field of equality and diversity. I am currently training to become a systemic counsellor so that I can provide you with even more targeted support.
Take a look at the events and group programmes we offer for the Bi+ community – perhaps you will find a place at our events where you also feel in good hands.
I look forward to hearing from you!
make an appointment
Important: For certain concerns, such as acute psychiatric and/or psychological emergencies, legal issues or topics such as addiction, homelessness or acute danger due to partner and/or family violence, we refer you to specialized services.
Our expertise
for professionals and civil society
Counseling for professionals
Do you have professional interfaces with the topic of Bi+? Would you like to train and sensitize yourself and your team? Do you have questions about the special needs of Bi+ people or would you like to ensure that your work is inclusive and sensitive to discrimination in relation to Bi+? If you have this or a similar question, please get in touch with us.
The Bi+ Competence Center offers advice for professionals from Berlin’s administration, politics, social institutions and other (queer) organizations. We support you in developing a better understanding of the specific experiences of Bi+ people and advise you so that your work takes the needs of the Bi+ community into account as far as possible. Whether it’s developing information materials, raising awareness of bi+ issues or designing inclusive programs – we are here for you.
Workshops & lectures
The Bi+ Competence Center organizes workshops, training courses and presentations to raise your awareness of Bi+-specific issues in the field of anti-discrimination and inclusion.
Our training courses can be tailored to your specific needs, whether for small teams or larger events. We offer both face-to-face and digital formats to help you and your team better understand and implement bi+ issues in your daily work.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Get in touch
Funding
The Bi+ Competence Center of BiBerlin e.V. is funded by:
