WCP 2025

This presentation focuses on ideas that help us achieve goals, regardless of how objectively correct or incorrect, falsifiable or verifiable they may be. Such regularities—whether about the world, humanity, ourselves, etc.—that allow us to create order and meaning out of the chaos of life, even if they do not necessarily reflect an ‘objective reality’, will hereinafter be referred to as Functionalia (F). These are statements that serve a meaningful purpose, regardless of their factual accuracy.
Replacing maladaptive F with more purposeful F can be seen as a central—if not the guiding—principle of (almost) all therapeutic approaches. In cognitive behavioral therapy, this is referred to as “functional cognitions” (Einsle & Hummel, 2015, p. 20); in other modalities, as “reframing” (see e.g., Barker & Chang, 2013, p. 156; Gilligan, 2019, p. 60; Popescu, 2023, p. 23); and in individual psychology, as “fictions” (Wiegand, 1995, pp. 152–153).
Beyond psychotherapy, many schools of thought also operate with diverse F—across philosophy, religion, and culture. The positive effects of engaging with such Functional Systems (FSys) have been well documented, particularly in the context of religion (see e.g., Schwalm et al., 2022; Lucchetti et al., 2021; Thomas & Barbato, 2020).
It can be assumed that adopting helpful F from existing FSys leads to better outcomes than developing them independently. Likewise, therapists who are familiar with a variety of perspectives and their associated F are likely to be more effective in helping clients reshape or create new Functionalia than those working solely within their own school of thought.
Disciplines such as psychotherapy, philosophy, religion, and cultural studies could benefit from a structured exchange of F. Importantly, Functionalia should not be limited to academia—they can be understood as fundamental guiding structures of human thinking and action across all domains of life. Actively engaging with F can thus offer valuable insights and practical benefits in fields such as education, entrepreneurship, elite sports, politics, diplomacy, prevention of extremism, inclusion, and more.
This presentation explores two key questions: (1) How can the exchange of F between different FSys be organized in a structured way? And (2) how can both patients and therapists gain access to individually helpful F? The focus will be on the development of a shared (IT-supported) platform. This foundational work aims to lay the groundwork for a new field of research and education.

Gender alone has become a determining factor in the development and construction of an individual's identity and personality and, consequently, the growing urge to define it within and for oneself. This definition has a direct influence on the concept of self-image, self-esteem, authenticity and belonging, affecting the mental and emotional health of young people (and future adults).

My work intends to shed some light on gender dysphoria as an environmental, generational and political symptom of our contemporary society and its demands.

My methodology provides a broad and generalized bibliographical review of worldwide research on the topic of gender identity and its consequences on mental health, as well as experimental methods and approaches to the psychotherapeutic work. Moreover, I have developed theoretical ideas and approaches that have emerged from empirical work with children and adolescents in my clinical practice over the last ten years. I also conducted Psychological Research Interviews to bring in lived experiences, and formulated deliberate hypotheses with my fellow psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists.

My theoretical approach is based on the psychological and archetypal concepts of gender identity and sexuality, gender roles and gender expression, as well as the Eastern and Western assumptions of female/male vs. woman/man, not forgetting the neurobiological and neurochemical basis that underpins it all.

My practical approach addresses the work with the soma and trauma related traits, associated with the dysphoria, namely, the transition from the dorsal vagus to the ventral vagus (a Polyvagal approach) and the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, I stablish a transferencecountertransference type of work from a Humanistic and Integrative perspective which is essential in reconstructing the individual’s sense of identity.

Awareness of gender roles and societal disparities, as well as early developmental trauma, misrepresentation of sexual and gender identity and identification, can contribute to the desire for gender change. In all cases, feelings of disgust and shame were identified regarding the “unwanted” gender.

Although the focus of treatment and diagnosis remains mainly on the physical aspect, the problem of gender (dysphoria) does not reside in the external image, but in the inner image that has been neglected for far too long. Somatic psychotherapy addresses and works on the inner image through the soma (in addition to the cognitive aspects). It is necessary to shift the focus away from the physical/biological/aesthetic matter. The matter is not so much biological (yet), but rather psycho-emotional and existential with a somatic translation, which is why more psychoeducation is needed, without excluding the movement to attempt to include different gender roles