25 Years of INSITE – Reflections of a Founder
In a conversation with the founder Dr Hansjörg Becker, we look back on the early days, a time when "mental health in the workplace" was still a taboo – and on the courage to simply get things done.
It All Started with Curiosity – and a Little Bit of Courage
“I’m a doctor, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst – so it wasn’t exactly obvious that I’d found a company like INSITE,” says Dr Hansjörg Becker, laughing.
But in the late 1990s, something was in the air: The world of work was changing noticeably. Job security was fading, pressure was increasing – and the concept of burnout appeared for the first time in society.
In a network of like-minded psychotherapists – from Frankfurt to Paris and Amsterdam – the idea was born to bring psychological support directly into the workplace. Initial impulses came from the USA.
The First Client – and the thing with the Phone
INSITE was ultimately born from a concrete client need: Accenture reached out to Dr Becker with the desire to better support their consultants – emotionally, mentally, and personally.
“They didn’t want an American provider, they wanted us. That was the beginning.”
The early days were characterised by improvisation and 24/7 availability:
“I always had my mobile phone in my pocket and even kept it on the bedside table at night. We didn’t have a website, just a phone number – and someone always had to answer.”
Psychological Counselling? A Real Leap of Faith Back Then
“It was absolutely unheard of back then for a psychologist to come into a company,” says Dr Becker.
In practice, the barrier was high – many employees didn’t know if they were allowed to call or thought they had to be "at rock bottom" to get help.
One anecdote that has stuck with him to this day:
“A manager came late in the evening for the initial consultation, looked me up and down, and then said, ‘Oh, you look quite normal!’ – He must have had a very different image of someone who works with ‘psychos’.”
From Solo Venture to a Team
Dr Becker built INSITE step by step. He found the first counsellors through personal contacts – many didn’t quite understand what he was actually trying to do at the time.
“I dragged the entire network to Accenture. Twelve people – many of them quite established – thought that with a corporate contract, the big breakthrough would come.”
But it quickly became clear: Quality speaks for itself. The business grew steadily – initially without any active sales efforts.
From Founder to the Next Generation
A turning point in the history of INSITE came with the arrival of Dr Matthias Conradt, who initially started as a psychological counsellor – and now leads the company as CEO. Together with Deborah Schütt, who now holds power of attorney, he brought fresh ideas, the courage to challenge, and new energy into the company.
“It was pure luck,” says Dr Hansjörg Becker looking back. “Matthias had the guts to disagree with me at times. In the end, it was very productive.”
Over time, it became clear: It was the right moment for the founder to step back – gently, with the team and the future in mind. The acquisition by Asklepios marked a new phase for INSITE: More stability, new perspectives – but with plenty of freedom to remain true to what makes INSITE unique.
And Dr Hansjörg Becker?
He gracefully stepped back from the daily business – but he’s not completely gone.
Today, he’s counselling again, just like in the beginning. “A bit back to the roots,” he says – with palpable joy.
And even though he no longer makes decisions about what happens tomorrow – he’s still connected to INSITE. And he still holds the key.
Just Do It – with Conviction
INSITE’s philosophy? Quality, trust, and the understanding that mental health belongs in the workplace.
Dr Becker describes it like this:
“The essential thing was that we did good work – and that word got around.”
Even though much is now more professionally organised, the core remains: Helping people before it’s too late – and without anyone having to feel ashamed about it.
What remains after 25 years? INSITE is now an established company with a clear stance – and a founding story that inspires. The courage to think new things. The courage to start. And the courage to just be normal.