Molly Toomey, LCSW
counseling | clinical social work | consults
online from Jena, Germany
counseling
(DE & international)
counseling / clinical social work
(Connecticut, USA only)
move to Germany:
consults & coaching
(USA)
connect with me
move to Germany:
coaching/consults for U.S. residents
support for aspiring expats, migrants, & digital nomads
& specialized support for LGBTQ+ & mental health/social work professionals
One-to-one consults offering guidance on moving to Germany, working in your field (or a new one), surviving & thriving—from someone who's done it
Orientation to German cultures, systems, & professions with an American lens
Practical support with planning & making your move: exploring realistic options for residence permits, where & when to move, logistical prep, how to get your foreign training & credentials recognized, & (much) more
Emotional support from a U.S.-trained, dually accredited social worker & counselor who's walked the same path
Tailored guidance for:
—Mental health & social work professionals: navigating professional recognition, regulations, career options, & more in Germany; general guidance on setting up an international counseling practice regardless of country
—LGBTQIA+ communities: planning out your "safe landing"; finding affirming care, support, & community
Appointments from 11:00-20:00 CET / 5 AM-2 PM EST
how I got here
my story
After months of research and preparation, I left the U.S. for Germany in 2021. I was excited to start immersing myself in German, getting my foreign credentials recognized, and working on building a life and career here. I had been very happy in my clinical social work career in the U.S. and dedicated myself to figuring out the path back into my profession in my new land.Then I met German bureaucracy.Things here worked differently. Compared to back home, it seemed like anything involving bureaucracy took much, much longer to process—and probably involved a fax machine. And the process of getting my foreign professional and educational credentials recognized, getting back into a meaningful career in Germany, and finding community here felt formidable.I struggled to find accurate—or any—information on how my foreign qualifications and career in the U.S. could translate into a fulfilling career in Germany, working under German law. I received inconsistent, incomplete, or incorrect guidance from immigrant counseling centers unfamiliar with my professional training and from well-meaning but uninformed folks online. It seemed like my only career options were poorly paid social services or extensive (and expensive) retraining. I felt deeply frustrated and lost.After countless phone calls and emails, passing an advanced language exam, completing a professional recognition course and passing that exam, consistent research and self-advocacy, and help from kind German friends, I received recognition of my foreign credentials and German professional recognition in one of my fields.I returned to my passions as soon as I could: I worked in the field in Germany, then started a counseling business serving clients both in Germany and back home in the U.S.—staying connected to home while serving my new home abroad. I learned to navigate my new identity and being a part of both worlds. I found community and purpose, and started truly integrating.I also felt a drive to help others navigate the maze of migration and help them build a career, connection, and community with fewer obstacles than I had faced—and started offering consults to do exactly that.I'm very grateful to call Germany my new home, and I genuinely enjoy helping people make their way to, and in, Germany—offering support to help them skip over much of the frustration, confusion, and worry that I and so many others experienced, so they can get to the "good stuff".Are you ready to make your way, too?
a personal photo from one of my favorite spots in Köln
overview of my offering
what you get
My offer aims to equip you with the info and support you need for a smoother transition and landing in Germany through:
Personalized support right from the start—you'll complete a survey form that allows me to tailor our chat to your specific needs, starting in session 1
Greater clarity on your options
Greater confidence in your next steps for a smooth transition
Cultural orientation from someone from your cultural context
Specialized insight and guidance on continuing your mental health or social work career abroad
Concrete suggestions and resources for getting set up personally & professionally and finding community
Insider tips on local & regional culture, integrating, finding community, getting a reply from a German authority...
Emotional support from someone who's from your country & has been through it themselves
A response within 1-2 business days. You'll understand soon why this is a precious thing!
why I offer this service
In short: I've been through it myself and, having done it alone, I'm committed to putting my experiences and my professional training to good use to help others have a smoother transition and successful start in their new life abroad. This is why I'm focused on both emotional and logistical support—holistic support from someone with both the personal life experience and professional training to support you through one of the biggest transitions of your lifetime.This work is something I genuinely care about and enjoy doing. Because this service is an additional offering alongside my counseling work, and one close to my heart, I intentionally keep my fees more accessible compared to many relocation or consulting services.Click to read more about each offering:
important note
I do not offer:
"Full relocation packages" (I won't be applying for your residence permit, finding you housing, or completing your applications for you)
General "life coaching" for personal development and inner transformation
Job hunting services
Financial advisory services
Legal services or legal advice (I am a consultant, not a lawyer)
Certified translation services
...but I can refer you to agencies offering such services.
In this service, I use my personal and professional experiences to help you with your planning and offer practical as well as psychosocial support. Any resources or suggestions I bring forth are not a legal or formal endorsement, and I am not a lawyer or legally liable for decisions you make or actions you take! I am here to help, but I do not guarantee any outcomes. You are responsible for verifying the accuracy and legality of all steps taken related to your relocation and for ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and policies, both domestic and international.
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Big-Picture Supportfor all future expats, immigrants, & digital nomads
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Orientation to German society, politics, & culture (info & perspectives grounded in the lived experiences of a U.S. expat-turned-immigrant)
Cultural knowledge & comparisons (American vs. German societies & cultures, regional differences within Germany, "sticking points" to anticipate)
Deciding if Germany is the right fit for you (pros, cons, and realistic prospects of moving to Germany based on your individual situation; alternative countries or travel/immigration opportunities you may want to consider instead)
Preparing for the move (tips for what to bring & what to do before leaving)
Getting settled after the move (what you may need to do after you arrive & when to do it)
Help understanding residency & residence permits (residence permit vs. visa, when & how to apply for a residence permit, how to prepare for an application)
German systems & processes for academic and professional recognition (where to apply, what to submit, & what you should start doing even before moving)
Help choosing the "right" city for your needs & wishes (where to go for German language & cultural immersion, international scenes, traditional or progressive, LGBTQ-friendly)
Tips for finding housing (which platforms to use, housing situation in different cities, what is a SCHUFA?)
Recommendations for English-friendly, American-friendly life essentials (health insurance companies, banks, tax software; finding a doctor, dentist, therapist)
German language-learning options (learning through self-study vs. a language program, VHS vs. private programs, tips for immersion)
Pro Life Tips for getting things done in Germany (ever used a fax machine before?)
Bonus: Personal tips from living in Köln/Cologne, Leipzig, & Jena
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Support for LGBTQIA+ Communities 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ & Beyondfor all gender, sexual, & relationship diversity
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Considerations for where to move (social & political climate, regional differences, tips on queer-friendly cities)
Residence & legal considerations (current laws & legal protections that potentially affect residency for same-sex spouses/partners and dependents, name recognition)
Finding affirming care (how to find an affirming doctor, therapist, or other service provider)
Gender auf Deutsch (navigating gendered language, pronouns, & titles in German)
Tips for finding community (where & how to connect with your communities online & offline)
Emotional support during a big transition, in a stressful political climate
Resources to help you have a safe & comfortable landing in Germany
Bonus: Personal reports from life in 3 queer-friendly cities
services & fees
Consults include all of the following for a flat fee:survey form
+ pre-consult personalized research/notes preparation (1-2 hours)
+ 1:1 video call (1 hour)
+ follow-up documentation / "resource recap"
Click below for more info and the cost of each service:
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Single Consultation
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3-Session Package
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Custom/Flexible Support
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single consult
Single session fee: 125 €International clients can pay via Wise in their local currency.
This may be for you if:
You'd like to get an overview of how best to prepare for the move (e.g., documents to prepare and bring)
You have a few specific questions about how to get something specific done in Germany (registering your address, getting a bank account, ...)
You're interested in a general chat about Germany or life as an expat/foreigner/American abroad
You're feeling anxious about the move and need a little grounding or support from someone who gets it
You want to bounce some ideas off of me
You'd like to feel me out and see if you'd like to work with me further
3-session support package
Package fee: 345 €
(save 30 € when booking 3 sessions)International clients can pay via Wise in their local currency.
This may be for you if:
You're actively planning a move and/or career transition
You have questions that require more than one session to address
You'd like structured conversation and support making a concrete plan tailored to your specific situation and needs
You want an "accountability partner" to help you stay on top of things in each stage of your process
We'll always tailor the 3 sessions to your particular interests and needs.
For folks wanting a more structured approach and step-by-step support, I can suggest the following structure:
Session 1: Exploration, Strategy, Goals
The big questions
Can (and should) I move to DE? How can I move and/or work in my field?
Session 2: Planning, Preparation, Practicality
Plan & prep
Logistical & emotional prep, realistic timelines, navigating bureaucracy
Session 3: Next Steps, Settling In
Make it happen!
Professional & social integration, practical support for establishing your career/community
custom/flexible support
custom pricing
This may be for you if:
You want additional or more frequent sessions for logistical and emotional support
You'd like an "accountability partner" throughout the process
You're interested in additional support and/or alternative means of support (e.g., text support via Signal, regular email support, check-in calls, ad-hoc help with translation)
You'd like in-person support getting settled after you arrive*
*I am available to meet with you in person in Germany with prior arrangement, either when you land or after you arrive at your destination. And I would genuinely love to welcome you and show you around!
Please contact me to discuss your needs and the corresponding fees.You're welcome to book a single consult to "feel me out" before booking a custom package!
community engagement
I am passionate about increasing awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources, both in my communities and in my profession. I'm working toward this goal on a community level in addition to my counseling practice.Below are some of the initiatives I'm involved in and the projects I'm spearheading. (Please consider participating yourself!)
community work
Queer Care Collective Berlin (Member)
Who we are & what we doWe are therapists, educators, facilitators, and activists, dreaming of care that is more queer, more collective and more accessible.We're on a mission to challenge oppressive systems and practices that have long been relied on in psychology and care work and to instead lean into liberatory, somatically-informed, and collective approaches to healing.visit our bio-site @ bio.site/queercarecollective
or find us on Instagram @ instagram.com/queer.care.collective
upcoming projects & events
Presenter: Rupture & Repair Conference (Berlin, 06.2026)
It's Complicated Conference for international therapists
Presentation
Goth Subculture, Community, and Collective HealingPresentation on mental health in the goth community and subculture. My talk will address mental health in the goth community, challenge stereotypes, and provide tips for culturally affirming approaches to therapeutic work with alternative communities.get your conference ticket here
Organizer/Facilitator: Support Groups for Alternative Folks
Groups planned to start in April/May 2026.
Please message me if you'd like to participate!Online groups:Self-Care for Spooky Babes: Support for Dark Souls in Dark Times
Psychoeducational/support group for goth & darkly-inclined folksGoth Therapists Support Group
Drop-in peer support group for goth & darkly-inclined counselors and therapists seeking community and support among peersfor more info, please contact me here
professional & educational qualifications
I'm Molly Toomey, LCSW. I've been in the business of helping people since 2010. I've worked with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds in their communities, schools, homes, and online. My overall mission is to build bridges across language and culture in order to make mental health support more affirming and accessible to people of all backgrounds.
education
Master of Social Work (2016)
Smith College School for Social Work - Northampton, MA, USAB.A. Sociology (2010)
Amherst College - Amherst, MA, USA
licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Connecticut, USA (current) (License #15933)
State-recognized Social Worker - Germany (2024)
Required coursework + exam through the Hochschule Zittau-Görlitz.Licensed Indep. Clinical Social Worker - Massachusetts, USA (2021-2023)
Required min. 3,500 hours of supervised post-master's clinical experience + min. 100 hours of post-graduate supervision + clinical licensing exam.Licensed Certified Social Worker - Massachusetts, USA (2017-2021)
Required master's degree + social work placements + licensing exam.School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor, Initial License - Massachusetts, USA (2017)
Required recognized internships + coursework + licensing exam.
mental health & social work
Private practice counseling (DE & international) & therapy (USA)
Individual outpatient psychotherapy (community, school, home, & online)
Clinical care coordination for individuals & multidisciplinary care teams
Supportive counseling & case management for parents/guardians of children with trauma & mental illness
Psychotherapy group facilitation (process groups, psychoeducational groups, creative-expressive groups)
Crisis intervention, deescalation, mediation, restorative justice
Trauma-informed day treatment program
Intensive 1:1 psychosocial support
Supervision of undergraduate psychology research interns
sexuality education & sexual health work
Community-based sex education (workshops & outreach)
Training of peer sexual health & sexuality educators
School-based sexuality education & counseling & bilingual outreach/awareness campaigns
Clinic-based sexual health counseling & STI/HIV testing
Curriculum development (bilingual comprehensive sex ed)
Staff coordinator of LGBTQIA+ youth support/advocacy groups
immigrant advocacy work
Support groups for LGBTQIA+ immigrant youth
Grant writing for immigrant rights organization
Program support & curriculum development for immigrant youth development program
Writing & PR for immigrant rights causes
continuing education
Trauma: Trauma-informed care & assessment, treating complex trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), misc. other
LGBTQIA+: LGBTQIA+ mental health, sexual health & outreach, cultural competency
Gender, Sex & Relationship Diversity (GSRD)
Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity-affirming therapy
Kink/BDSM: Kink-affirming clinical practice
Group work: American Group Psychotherapy Association workshops & experiential trainings, Theatre of the Oppressed experiential workshops, Internal Family Systems in group work
Sex education: Comprehensive sexuality education training, sexual health & tech/new media
Sexual health: Sexual Health Counselor Certification, HIV Counseling & Testing Certification
Sexual & reproductive rights & justice: Sexuality & activism, abortion rights & reproductive freedom
Sexual exploitation: Sexual exploitation of immigrants/refugees, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Crisis support: Psychological First Aid, 40-hour peer crisis support training
Community organizing: Community organizing strategies training
languages
English (native speaker)
German (C1-level, with Goethe-Zertifikat B2)
Spanish (advanced proficiency)