Coping with an illness is always a challenge, regardless of whether it is acute or chronic. However, people with long-term or chronic illnesses in particular have a number of tasks to solve with regard to coping and dealing with these illnesses (Schaeffer & Moers, 2003). One way of supporting people in coping with their illness is the Guided Self-Determination (GSD) method. GSD stands for a concept that is already used internationally in the accompaniment and support of people with different illnesses. The concept has its origins in the care of people with type 1 diabetes and is used here to support them in dealing with their disease and to improve their individual disease management (Nienaber et al., 2021; Bötel et al., 2021; Jørgensen et al., 2015; Zoffmann, 2004; Zoffmann & Lauritzen, 2006). In the meantime, the concept has found its way into psychiatric care. For example, Jørgensen et al. (Jørgensen et al., 2015; Jørgensen et al., 2014) conducted a study in Denmark on the use of GSD in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in outpatient care. Zoffmann (2004) herself describes GSD as a life skills approach and "a method that can help patients and professionals overcome obstacles and take advantage of opportunities that have been identified as crucial to patients' ability to make empowered decisions" (Zoffmann, 2004). In the symposium, after a short introduction to the topic of coping with illness, the GSD method will be presented. The background, development and evidence will be described. This is followed by a presentation on the training of GSD. Finally, the fourth lecture will report on the implementation of GSD in psychiatric care practice and the associated experiences.