About the person:Dr. Michael Conforti is a Jungian analyst and the Founder and Director of the Assisi Institute. He is a faculty member at the C.G. Jung Institute of Boston, the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York, and for many years served as a Senior Associate faculty member in the... Read More →
About the person:Post-doctorate in philosophy and psychology from the Federal University of Uberlândia – UFU-MG, focusing on the phenomenological psychology of Edmund Husserl and Edith Stein. PhD in clinical psychology from PUCMG, with a sandwich doctorate at the Université Paris... Read More →
About the person:Suzana Jovicic studied Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology (MSc) at Brunel University in London and earned her PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Vienna as a DOC-Team Fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. For her dissertation... Read More →
About the person:MMag. Louisa Abramov has been a registered psychoanalyst in private practice since graduating from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, where she studied business administration and psychotherapy sciences. She... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Guillermo Garrido is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst based in Panama, with a longstanding commitment to the advancement of mental health and psychotherapy on both national and international levels. He is widely respected for his clinical expertise and his contributions... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Judy Kuriansky is a world renowned radio advice host, clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist, popular lecturer, newspaper columnist, and author of many books. She is a pioneer of radio call-in advice, and Internet advice. On the faculty of the Clinical... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Gianpaolo Lombardi is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist with many years of experience treating complex addiction-related disorders within the public healthcare system, where he has been active since 2003. His extensive training in systemic family... Read More →
EINFÜHRUNG Im Institut für Frührehabilitation werden seit 15 Jahren junge Erwachsene mit erster PsychoseErstmanifestation behandelt. Eine zeitnahe umfassende Behandlung und Unterstützung nach der ersten Episode soll eine Chronifizierung der Erkrankung verhindern und helfen, wichtige Meilensteine in der Entwicklung zu erreichen. Studien belegen die Wirksamkeit psychotherapeutischer Methoden bei der Behandlung von psychotischen Erkrankungen. Ein Element psychologischer Behandlung im Institut ist die Therapiegruppe ACT.
METHODOLOGIE / ANSATZ Im Workshop werden Methoden der sogenannten „Dritte Welle“ Verhaltenstherapie vorgestellt: Akzeptanz- und Commitmenttherapie (ACT) und Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) sowie für junge Menschen angepasste Übungen, die aus dem Improtheater entlehnt sind. Das Gruppenkonzept u.a. basiert auf folgenden Werken: O'Donoghue, E. K., Morris, E. M. J., Oliver, J. E., & Johns, L. C. (2018). ACT for psychosis recovery: A practical manual for group-based interventions using acceptance and commitment therapy. Context Press/New Harbinger Publications. Heriot-Maitland, Charles & Longden, Eleanor. (2022). Relating to Voices using Compassion Focused Therapy: A Self-help Companion. 10.4324/9781003166269. https://clinical-neuropsychology.de/lebenswert/ Kartenset „Den inneren Kritiker zum Lachen bringen!“ von Frauke Nees
ERGEBNISSE / ERKENNTNISSE ACT hilft jungen Menschen, ihre Denkmaschine als solche zu erkennen und zu verstehen, im Hier und Jetzt zu sein, ihr Handeln entsprechend ihrer selbstgewählten Werte auszurichten und mutig wie warmherzig mit sich selbst umzugehen. Der spielerische Umgang und die erfahrungsbasierten Übungen lassen die psychologischen Konzepte wirken und erfahrbar statt nur verstehbar werden.
SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG / PERSPEKTIVE Im Workshop erfahren Sie Basiswissen zur therapeutischen Haltung und den Kernelementen aus ACT für Psychosen: Akzeptanz, Defusion, Gegenwärtigkeit, Werte, Commitment und Self-as-Context. Sie erfahren etwas über die gelungene Kombination mit Selbstmitgefühl und Improvisationstheater. Gemeinsam gehen wir die beliebtesten Übungen durch und erfahren ihre Wirkung. Ebenso sprechen wir über Besonderheiten der Behandlung von jungen Menschen mit Psychosen.
About the person:Marilena Bertacco is a clinical psychologist based in Vienna, Austria, working at the Psychosocial Services of Vienna (PSD) in the Early Rehabilitation and Treatment Center for young adults. Her clinical focus lies in supporting individuals with experiences of psychosis... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Philip Streit is a renowned clinical and health psychologist as well as a systemic family therapist based in Graz, Austria. He serves as CEO of both the Institute for Child, Youth and Family (IKJF) and the affiliated Academy (AKJF), institutions dedicated to the... Read More →
Introduction: Meaning is a distinct resource and indicator of human health and well-being. According to Viktor Frankl, founder of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (LTEA) or the so-called meaning-oriented psychotherapy, music and the arts can play a decisive role in the context of meaning actualization. However, there is a lack of research considering the thematic field of LTEA, music therapy, music and meaning in life. Methodology/Approach: The author was head of a team that conducted an international mixed-methods survey among logotherapists and music therapists. The survey focused on the potentials of music in the context of meaning-actualization among clients suffering from mental disorders and on the music therapists’ and logotherapists’ music-assisted concepts and approaches in relation to meaning-fulfillment. Results/Findings: Music was judged to have many beneficial potentials in the context of meaning-actualization in clients suffering from mental disorders. Music seems to be a powerful factor in relation to meaning-fulfillment along creative values. Relying on the outcomes of the survey, a music-assisted model of meaning-fulfillment was developed. The practical application of this model will be demonstrated by clinical case examples. Conclusion/Perspective: A music-assisted model of meaning fulfillment, as well as a combination of LTEA, music therapy and music, could complement existing treatment concepts and theories. Such arts-based approaches could prove to be effective when meaning-oriented topics, crises of meaning and feelings of meaninglessness take center stage in psychotherapy and counselling.
About the person:Prof. Dr. habil. Eric Pfeifer is professor for aesthetics and communication at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Freiburg, Germany, doctoral supervisor and lecturer at the Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Austria, science representative at the Viktor... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Gianpaolo Lombardi is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist with many years of experience treating complex addiction-related disorders within the public healthcare system, where he has been active since 2003. His extensive training in systemic family... Read More →
About the person:Professor Peter Fonagy is a globally recognized clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and academic, currently serving as Professor and Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London (UCL). He is also the Senior National Clinical... Read More →
About the person:Professor Peter Fonagy is a globally recognized clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and academic, currently serving as Professor and Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London (UCL). He is also the Senior National Clinical... Read More →
About the person:Professor Peter Fonagy is a globally recognized clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and academic, currently serving as Professor and Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London (UCL). He is also the Senior National Clinical... Read More →
About the person: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Dr. Paolo Raile MSc. studied Psychotherapy Science at the Sigmund Freud University Vienna (SFU), Social Work at the Danube University Krems and European Ethnology at the University of Vienna. He is a researcher at the SFU, author of scientific texts... Read More →
About the person:Mag. Dr. Reinhard Pichler, MSc, MBA is a psychotherapist specializing in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, a healthcare manager, and a long-standing expert in the fields of ethics, prevention, and personal development.After studying Ethics and Social Sciences... Read More →
Introduction. The well-being and happiness of college students are critical concerns for universities. According to the 2019 U.S. National College Health Assessment, 56% of students reported feeling hopeless within the last 12 months, and 45% even reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult for them to function. In contrast, students high on flourishing tend to procrastinate less, pursue mastery-oriented goals, exhibit high self-control, and achieve better grades. Thus, there is a critical need for research on how to enhance college students’ well-being and happiness. Buddhist philosophy distinguishes between fluctuating happiness and genuine, durable happiness, known as sukha, which is characterized by lasting inner joy and peace. Research suggests that self-compassion and compassion towards others have a positive impact on happiness and psychological well-being. However, the mechanisms by which compassion fosters genuine happiness over time require further investigation. Thus, the present study examines the mediating role of caring for bliss in the relationships between self-compassion, compassionate love, and genuine happiness among college students. Methodology / Approach. The study involved 398 undergraduate students from a southeastern U.S. university, who participated during the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Data were collected at three different time points over approximately 12 weeks as part of a larger online study on various aspects of mental, physical, spiritual, and relational well-being. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the longitudinal mediating effects of caring for bliss on the impacts of self-compassion and compassionate love on genuine happiness over time. We tested a model where self-compassion and compassionate love at time 1 served as predictors, caring for bliss at time 2 acted as the mediator, and genuine happiness at time 3 was the outcome. Results / Findings. Self-compassion and compassionate love at time 1 predicted caring for bliss at time 2, which subsequently predicted genuine happiness at time 3, while controlling for caring for bliss at time 1 and genuine happiness at time 2. Furthermore, caring for bliss at time 2 mediated the associations between self-compassion and compassionate love at time 1 and genuine happiness at time 3. Conclusion / Perspective. The current study provides new insights into the longitudinal associations between self-compassion, compassionate love, and genuine happiness among college students. The finding that caring for bliss mediated the effects of self-compassion and compassionate love on genuine happiness reveals that practices fostering self-compassion and compassionate love are important in enhancing caring for bliss and, ultimately, happiness in college students. Promoting happiness in students is crucial given the prevalence of student burnout and the well-being crisis in industrialized nations.
Every form of psychotherapy is grounded in a psychological theory. Each approach is anchored in a specific model of the human psyche, establishing its own conceptions of psychological development, the origins of disorders, and the most effective methods for psychological transformation. The choice of a theoretical foundation is not merely methodological but also philosophical, as it defines the therapist’s perspective on human nature and the capacity for change. Phenomenological psychology, developed by Edmund Husserl and furthered by Edith Stein, provides a foundation that transcends the naturalistic, psychologistic, and reductionist models predominant in psychotherapy. Unlike traditional approaches, which often assume fixed diagnostic categories or naturalized psychic structures, phenomenological psychology proposes a rigorous investigation of lived experience. It employs epoché and psychology reduction as methodological tools to uncover the ways in which psychic consciousness is constituted. This workshop will explore key ideas in phenomenological psychology, presenting it not as just another therapeutic approach but as a radical rethinking of how the psyche is understood. Furthermore, it aims to establish phenomenology as a secure and rigorous foundation for psychotherapeutic practice - one that is deeply committed to lived experience, not as a mere technique or therapeutic style, but as a path toward a genuine understanding of psychological experience.
About the person:Post-doctorate in philosophy and psychology from the Federal University of Uberlândia – UFU-MG, focusing on the phenomenological psychology of Edmund Husserl and Edith Stein. PhD in clinical psychology from PUCMG, with a sandwich doctorate at the Université Paris... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Philip Streit is a renowned clinical and health psychologist as well as a systemic family therapist based in Graz, Austria. He serves as CEO of both the Institute for Child, Youth and Family (IKJF) and the affiliated Academy (AKJF), institutions dedicated to the... Read More →
Statement of the problem: Modular and common factor approaches in psychotherapy are a central issue in psychotherapy research. It seems necessary to mark the limitations of specific approaches and to detect where interdisciplinary perspectives are indispensable. This presentation is an attempt to integrate psychotherapeutic models as well as neurobiological, psychological and socio-cultural and practical aspects of psychotherapy. We offer a comprehensive psychotherapeutic model which integrates relational, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic-psychoanalytic and existential aspects. In this process neuro-biological, psychologic and socio-cultural perspectives come into play. Methodology & theoretical orientation: The case of a patient suffering from schizotypic episodes is studied under the perspectives of relational, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic-psychoanalytic and existential psychotherapy. In a hermeneutic circle biological, psychological and socio-cultural findings are integrated. Findings: It is shown that psychotherapy can and should include psychological, cultural and neurobiological knowledge. The dialectics between coherence–incoherence, stabilization–destabilization, construction–deconstruction of cognitions, emotions, and actions are shown to be general principles that can be found in neuroscientific, psychological and cultural approaches in psychotherapy. Conclusions: The interdisciplinary reflection of different psychotherapeutic methods leads to a practical model that can integrate relational, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic-psychoanalytic and existential aspects of psychotherapy.
About the person:Prof. Dr. med. Rainer Matthias Holm-Hadulla is an Affiliated Professor of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at Heidelberg University. He also serves as a supervisor and training analyst (IPA) at various psychotherapeutic training institutes and... Read More →
Introduction: There is growing evidence of the curative and preventive effects of nature, nature exposure and nature relatedness on health and well-being. Recent studies and reviews show that psychotherapy and counselling conducted in nature affects, for example, working alliance, clients’ and professionals’ mental and physical health, therapy motivation, eco-anxiety, pro-ecological behaviours. Still, overall empirical evidence is poor – especially in the context of clinical applications. Methodology/Approach: The presentation provides insights into a randomized clinical study that compared walk and talk psychotherapy in nature with conventional psychotherapy indoors and in seated position. Participants were clinical patients suffering from major depressive disorders and their psychotherapists. We applied a mixed methods approach (quantitative measures and qualitative follow-up interviews) and assessed feasibility (primary outcome parameter) and mental and physical health (secondary outcome parameters) among participants. Results/Findings: Results show that psychotherapists and patients estimate psychotherapy in nature as a valuable addition within the range of psychotherapy treatment. Walk and talk psychotherapy in nature affects the participating patients’ and psychotherapists’ health and well-being. Conclusion/Perspective: Considering that pioneers of modern psychotherapy, such as Sigmund Freud, Hans Zulliger, C. G. Jung, Lou Andreas-Salomé, Viktor Frankl, had already conducted psychotherapy sessions while walking and/or in nature or highlighted the importance of nature in relation to human health, the lack of current research or concepts in this context is surprising. Nature-assisted approaches may also be a valuable psychotherapy contribution addressing the effects of global challenges (e.g., climate change/crises) on human mental health by focusing on the treatment of eco-anxiety or the promotion of pro-ecological behaviours. This presentation – and the accompanying clinical study – are intended to provide impulses for further theoretical, empirical and practical discussions on the topic.
About the person:Prof. Dr. habil. Eric Pfeifer is professor for aesthetics and communication at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Freiburg, Germany, doctoral supervisor and lecturer at the Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Austria, science representative at the Viktor... Read More →
Effective psychotherapy for deaf individuals in Nigeria necessitates cultural sensitivity to address unique communication challenges and cultural contexts. This article explores the importance of cultural competence in enhancing therapeutic outcomes among deaf Nigerians, emphasizing the role of Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) and cultural awareness in therapy. Understanding deaf culture, including language variations and community dynamics, is essential for building rapport and facilitating effective communication in therapeutic settings. Case studies illustrate successful applications of culturally sensitive approaches, highlighting the integration of NSL proficiency and cultural competence in therapy. Recommendations include the incorporation of cultural sensitivity training for therapists and collaboration with deaf community leaders to ensure accessible and culturally appropriate mental health services. By prioritizing cultural sensitivity, therapists can better meet the diverse needs of deaf individuals in Nigeria, promoting inclusive and effective psychotherapeutic practices.
In essence, politicians are employees of the citizens who have to pay for their services and in democracies are enabled to elect them in elections. This is why politicians should keep an eye on the well-being of their employers. The identification of essential human psychological needs makes it possible to define the desirable core goals of politics. These include human relationships, active conduct, sense of coherence, and healthy stress levels. A political system should guarantee its people freedom and support in these four basic needs. In addition, understanding psychodynamics makes it possible to prevent spirals of regression, which tend to lead to violence and catastrophe, in times of heightened stress in society. Education in basic psychodynamics on all levels of society is required to enable progress towards a world of psychologically mature, responsive, and self-determined citizens.
About the person:Hans-Otto Thomashoff, MD, PhD, lives and works in Vienna as psychiatrist and psychoanalyst (Vienna Psychoanalytic Society). Based on his PhD in art history he specializes in psychodynamic approaches for the understanding of art. He is an honorary member of the World... Read More →
About the person: Monica Somacal is a couples and sex therapist, as well as the director of the cantonal project addressing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the Swiss cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. For over four decades, she has worked in various psychosocial... Read More →
About the person:Mag. Dr. Reinhard Pichler, MSc, MBA is a psychotherapist specializing in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, a healthcare manager, and a long-standing expert in the fields of ethics, prevention, and personal development.After studying Ethics and Social Sciences... Read More →
Psychotherapy is a vital component of mental health care, but deaf individuals in Nigeria often face significant barriers to accessing these services due to communication challenges. The use of sign language interpreters has emerged as a critical solution to bridge the gap between deaf clients and psychotherapists. This paper explores the pivotal role of sign language interpreters in psychotherapy for deaf persons in Nigeria, emphasizing their contribution to ensuring effective communication, trust, and therapeutic outcomes. Sign language interpreters serve as the primary medium through which deaf clients can express their emotions, thoughts, and mental health concerns during therapy sessions. However, their role extends beyond mere translation, as they must navigate the complex dynamics of both the deaf and hearing cultures, ensuring cultural sensitivity and maintaining the confidentiality inherent in psychotherapy. The absence of qualified interpreters can result in misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, and ineffective therapy, leading to poor mental health outcomes for deaf individuals. In Nigeria, the shortage of trained mental health interpreters presents a significant challenge. Many interpreters lack specialized knowledge of psychotherapy terminologies, which can hinder the depth of the therapeutic process. This paper highlights the urgent need for targeted training programs for sign language interpreters in mental health settings, as well as the necessity for greater collaboration between psychotherapists and the deaf community to enhance mental health accessibility. The paper also discusses the psychological impact of interpreter-mediated therapy on deaf clients, focusing on the importance of trust and rapport in building a successful therapeutic relationship. By providing insights into the role of interpreters, this study underscores the need for policy changes that support the integration of sign language interpreters into Nigeria’s mental health services, promoting inclusivity and equitable access to psychotherapy for deaf individuals.
About the person:Ismini Ohm-Zalitis is a social worker and psychotherapist based in Stockholm, Sweden, where she works both clinically and online. In addition to her therapeutic practice, she teaches and supervises Lifespan Integration together with her colleagues.Her original training... Read More →
About the person:Bodil Lindström is a trained psychotherapist as well as a teacher and supervisor in Lifespan Integration. She first encountered the method in 2005, at the end of her initial psychotherapy training. At that time, Peggy Pace, the founder of Lifespan Integration, offered... Read More →
About the person:Kristina Pettersson is a licensed psychotherapist specialized in trauma therapy. With a professional background in dance therapy, she combines artistic expression with psychotherapeutic practice, offering a nuanced understanding of the many layers of human communication... Read More →
Introduction This research aims to integrate artificial intelligence technology, particularly automated machine learning methods, into psychological research to address the limitations of traditional frequentist statistical approaches in handling nonlinear relationships of psychological characteristics. Current psychological research predominantly relies on regression-based methods, which often fall short in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships between psychological features. We propose an innovative semi-automated workflow that empowers psychology researchers to leverage machine learning algorithms for intelligent model selection, facilitating the construction of more precise and insightful theoretical frameworks.
Methodology We designed a low-code workflow based on AutoGluon, specifically tailored for psychological research methodologies with high accessibility. This approach encompasses three primary research objectives: 1. Automated hyperparameter tuning to attain optimal models. 2. Identification of important features through interpretability techniques, facilitating feature selection based on calculated importance. 3. Theoretical reconstruction based on important features by integrating exploratory factor analysis with machine learning interpretability. Using psychological resilience research as an example, we provide a detailed annotated code workflow along with raw data to demonstrate the application of this method.
Results The workflow successfully implements automated machine learning model selection and optimization, effectively identifying key features in psychological resilience research. Through interpretability techniques, we quantify the relative importance of different features, providing a data-driven basis for feature selection. Combined with exploratory factor analysis, we reconstruct theoretical frameworks that more accurately reflect the nonlinear relationships among psychological characteristics.
Conclusion The semi-automated workflow proposed in this study provides psychological researchers with a practical tool to better understand nonlinear relationships between psychological characteristics. This low-code approach lowers the barrier for psychological researchers to utilize advanced machine learning techniques, offering new possibilities for data-driven psychological theory construction. Future research can extend this methodology to additional psychological research domains and integrate more types of data, such as text, audio, and images.
About the person:Haojie Fu is a PhD candidate at the Shanghai Research Institute for Intelligent Autonomous Systems at Tongji University. He holds certification as a Psychological Counselor and has previously worked at the Psychological Education and Counseling Center at Southwest... Read More →
About the person:Prof. Xudong Zhao has been leading “Chinese-DE Training Program for Psychotherapy”, as the Chinese coordinator, to develop modern psychotherapy successfully in China, for which he and his colleagues won the “International Sigmund Freud Award for Psychotherapy... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Igor Kopsov combines a rich background in both psychology and offshore engineering, making significant contributions to each field throughout his career.Since 2014, Dr. Kopsov has been an active figure in the field of psychology, where he has authored numerous... Read More →
About the person:Dr. Nisreen Yacoub is a licensed psychological consultant (Licensed Psychological Consultant by SCHS) and has been serving as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah since 2006. She teaches in the Department... Read More →
