#24 Laura Depping: How a Psychologist Breaks Away from Traditional Therapy

About this episode

Laura Depping is a psychologist – but not the kind you might expect. After completing her psychology studies, she consciously decided against the traditional path and developed her own vision: helping people who would otherwise have to wait far too long for professional support.

The Problem with Therapy Wait Times

Anyone who has ever searched for a therapy spot knows the problem: waiting times of several months are the rule, not the exception. Laura recognized early on that these delays aren't just frustrating – they can become life-threatening. "Where it can sometimes be too late," as she puts it.

This realization was Laura's turning point. Instead of fitting into the existing system, she searched for alternative ways to reach people faster and more directly.

A Different Path as a Speaker

Today, Laura Depping works as a speaker – a decision that might seem surprising at first glance for a trained psychologist. But for her, this path makes perfect sense: as a speaker, she can reach significantly more people than in classic individual therapy.

Her expertise from psychology studies flows directly into her work, just in a different format. Instead of individual sessions, she gives lectures, workshops, or develops other formats that help people improve their mental health – without months-long waiting periods.

A Different Definition of Optimism

Particularly interesting is Laura's self-description as a "pure optimist." However, her definition of optimism likely differs from what most people would understand by it.

As a psychologist, she knows that genuine optimism doesn't mean ignoring problems or viewing everything through rose-colored glasses. True optimism lies in finding solutions even in difficult situations and showing people that change is possible – even when the path is rocky.

Entrepreneurial Mindset in Psychology

Laura's story exemplifies how traditional career paths can transform. She didn't simply follow the predetermined career trajectory of a psychologist but asked herself: Where can I have the greatest impact?

This entrepreneurial mindset – questioning existing systems and developing your own solution approaches – is characteristic of many successful founders and entrepreneurs. Laura shows that you can take innovative paths in social sectors too, helping more people in the process.

The Power of Scaling

What Laura Depping does is essentially scaling: instead of helping one person at a time, she reaches hundreds or even thousands of people simultaneously as a speaker. This is a classic startup principle, applied to the field of mental health.

Her decision shows that it's not always about changing the system from within – sometimes it's more effective to create parallel structures that can respond to needs faster and more flexibly.

Conclusion: Courage to Change

Laura Depping's path is an inspiring example of how you can combine expertise with societal impact without adhering to traditional structures. She proves that it's possible to both go your own way and make a positive difference in other people's lives – and that without the barriers and waiting times of the traditional system.