There are various forms of counselling. A distinction can be made between psychosocial, medical and legal counselling services (offered either at psychosocial institutions, such as municipal or church family counselling centres, or pro familia, outpatient departments or medical departments) and so-called peer-to-peer counselling, i.e. counselling from other lived-experience experts (from peers for peers in similar circumstances), which is becoming increasingly important.
A counselling study by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs (BMFSFJ 2015) provides an insight into the current situation for intersex counselling in Germany. It shows that intersex-specific, independent services and advisory structures are rare. The following organisations offer counselling in Germany:
- Beratungsstelle Inter* Niedersachsen [counselling centre Inter*] in Emden, Lower Saxony: Intersexuelle Menschen Landesverband Niedersachsen e.V.
- Special outpatient clinic at the Institut für Sexualforschung [Institute for Sex Research] in Hamburg
- Pro Familia in Hamburg
- TRIQ – Trans Inter Queer in Berlin
- Rubicon in Cologne
- AIS Support Group
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e. V.