Hinge Welcomes Psychologist Anouk Algermissen as German Dating and Relationship Advisor

At Hinge, we believe meaningful connections are built through intention, empathy, and emotional openness. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome psychologist and couples therapist Anouk Algermissen as Hinge’s German Dating and Relationship Advisor. Anouk brings deep insight into modern relationships and joins our global team of experts — including Logan Ury and Moe Ari Brown — who help Hinge daters navigate modern dating with clarity and science-backed advice.

Germany continues to be a key European market for Hinge, and as more daters across the country turn to us to find intentional relationships, we’re committed to deepening our cultural relevance in the region. With Anouk’s expertise, we’ll be able to bring even more locally resonant insights to the dating experience

In this Q&A, Anouk shares her perspective on intentional dating, emotional vulnerability, and the mindset shifts that can lead to more meaningful relationships.

Welcome to Hinge, Anouk! Can you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to the world of relationship psychology?

“I've always been drawn to the complexity of human connection, but it wasn’t until I studied psychology that I realized just how much essential knowledge about love, conflict, and attachment is not accessible to most. I remember sitting in a lecture hall thinking: This shouldn’t stay in textbooks. This belongs in people’s everyday lives.

That realization stayed with me. In conversations with friends about what makes relationships work, I kept hearing the same line: “Honestly, I just try to wing it.” No one would expect a surgeon to operate without training — yet when it comes to love, we often improvise our way through.

My mission is to change that. I believe everyone deserves the tools to build healthy, intentional relationships. Inspired by pioneers like Esther Perel, I specialized in relationship psychology, earned my master’s degree, and opened a private practice. Today, I support couples both in-session and through my podcast Paarpsychologie and online community.”

What excites you most about joining Hinge as our German spokesperson and expert on relationships?

“Hinge allows me to reach people at the very beginning of a relationship, when they’re still deciding how they want to show up and what kind of dynamics they want to build.

As a psychologist and couples therapist, I often meet people once patterns have already set in. But working with Hinge gives me the opportunity to contribute much earlier, when there’s still space to lay the foundation for something healthy and intentional.

Ultimately, I believe that love thrives on openness, emotional safety, and the willingness to grow together. To support people in building that from the very start, and to do so with a team that shares those values, is exactly the kind of work I want to be doing.”

Hinge is designed to be deleted. What does that philosophy mean to you — both professionally and personally?

“To me, this philosophy reflects something very real about human connection: the desire to arrive somewhere meaningful. To stop searching and find someone who feels right, someone worth building something with.

I think of a close friend who had just started seeing someone she met on Hinge. One evening, she called me and said, “I just deleted the app. It feels so good.” That moment meant something to her. It was one of those quiet turning points where you begin to trust and lean in.

As a psychologist, I see how difficult it can be for people to open up and commit. Past experiences often create protective patterns. But the hope that someone is out there who makes you want to try again, is so important.

That’s why Hinge’s mission resonates so deeply with me. It’s about encouraging people to connect and commit with courage and vulnerability, and to eventually reach the point where they feel ready to close the app and focus on something real.”

From your work as a couples therapist, what do you think people misunderstand about emotional vulnerability when dating?

“Many people believe that negative emotion and vulnerability are problems to avoid — things that should be hidden. We’re taught, often subtly, not to cry, not to overreact, to stay composed. But that’s a misunderstanding that actually creates closeness.

We often assume intimacy is built on joy, humor, or shared excitement. Those things are important but some of the deepest bonds form when someone dares to show what hurts, what scares them, or what keeps them up at night.

In my work, I see how hard it is to unlearn the fear that being open will push people away. But I also see the shift when someone realizes: vulnerability doesn’t repel love, it makes it possible. It takes courage, but it’s what allows understanding and connection to grow.”

And finally — what’s one mindset shift you’d love to see more daters embrace this year?

“Before a date, many people ask: ‘What should I wear so they’ll like me?’ And that’s understandable as first impressions matter. But if you’re hoping for a relationship that lasts, there’s a better set of questions to consider: ‘Can I be myself with this person?’ ‘Can I express a need or set a boundary and still feel safe?’

These small internal check-ins are powerful. They shift your focus from external validation to your own emotional experience. Instead of ‘Do they like me?’, try asking: ‘How do I feel with them? Do I feel relaxed? Seen? Respected?’

That’s the real mindset shift: from trying to be chosen, to paying attention to what you’re choosing.

Chemistry might bring people together, but emotional safety keeps them there. As a couples therapist, I see again and again that lasting connection isn’t about how exciting the first date was — it’s about whether both people can truly show up for each other when it matters.”