The psychotherapeutic training forms the basis for high-quality, professional and effective psychotherapeutic care. It combines the acquisition of sound theoretical knowledge with a practical component that focuses on working with patients during internships and in one’s own practice. This process is supported by continuous supervision. However, successful training goes beyond the mere transfer of knowledge and practical skills: it involves intensive self-reflection of one’s own biography, personality and relationship patterns. This reflective process not only strengthens the therapeutic attitude, but also enables prospective psychotherapists to consciously shape their own role in the therapeutic process.

Since 2013, the Institute for Training Research has been researching how the various components of psychotherapy training – theoretical knowledge, practical work, supervision and self-awareness – contribute to the development of therapeutic competence. We use empirical studies to gain insights into the conditions that favour successful training, the challenges that trainees encounter and the impact of training on their transition into therapeutic practice. Additionally, we analyse learning processes and teaching methods in order to identify specific starting points for the further development of training. Our research on career choices helps us to develop a deeper understanding of those who pursue psychotherapy training and the experiences that shape their decision to do so. The aim of our work is to continuously improve psychotherapy training and thus make a lasting contribution to the quality of mental health care.

Head: Univ.-Prof.in Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in Andrea Jesser, andrea.jesser@sfu.ac.at

Team

Head:

Univ.-Prof.in Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in Andrea Jesser
andrea.jesser@sfu.ac.at

Deputy head | Research assistant:

Univ.-Ass.in Constanze Springinsfeld, MSc
constanze.springinsfeld@sfu.ac.at

Research assistant:

Univ.-Ass.in Amelie Bihl, MA
amelie.bihl@sfu.ac.at

Research assistant:

Univ.-Ass. Niccolò Polipo, PhD
niccolo.polipo@sfu.ac.at

Study assistant:

Nina Pfatrisch, BSc
nina.pfatrisch@sfu.ac.at

Cooperation partners: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Franzen, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Omar Gelo, Ass.-Prof.in Dr.in Katharina Reboly

Former team members: Adalet Akgün, MA; Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Jutta Fiegl; Bakk.a Roxane Forghani, BSc; Victoria Scholtus; Univ.-Ass.in Mag.a Elitsa Tilkidzhieva

Current Projects

Pathways to Psychotherapy: A Biographical Study on the Career Choices of Prospective Psychotherapists

In this project, we examine the career choice processes of prospective psychotherapists from a biographical perspective. The focus is on individual experiences, social contexts and broader societal conditions that shape this decision.

Based on existing literature we assume that prospective therapists are not necessarily characterized by specific biographical experiences, but by how they narrate and reflect on their life stories. Using biographical-narrative interviews, we aim to reconstruct these narratives and self-concepts.

Based on our findings, we derive hypotheses which we then explore further using quantitative methods. In this way, a differentiated picture of the subjective experiences that influence the choice of this career path will emerge.

The Development of Psychotherapeutic Competence Over Time: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Study with Psychotherapy Trainees

In this mixed-methods longitudinal study, we follow students from the beginning of their training to graduation, examining the development of therapeutic competencies over time. We use various quantitative and qualitative survey instruments to explore how therapeutic skills, professional self-image, and therapeutic attitudes evolve throughout the training process. The aim is to make central developmental processes visible and to identify ways of specifically promoting skills during studies.

Alongside our own research instruments, this project also involves participation in an international study by the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPRISTAD).

First Steps into Practice: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Training Candidates During Internships and First Patient Contacts

In this project, we explore how psychotherapy trainees experience the transition to independent therapeutic work with patients as part of their training. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this transition, we also conduct interviews with internship coordinators and supervisors to examine how different stakeholders perceive the challenges trainees are facing. On this basis, we aim to identify key competencies that should be promoted more strongly in study programmes.

Surveys as Part of Quality Assurance of Teaching and Learning at SFU

In order to better understand the experiences of students and graduates, we regularly conduct student and graduate surveys in all study programmes. These are complemented by qualitative interviews with students and teaching staff. The results provide valuable insights for the continuous development of the curriculum – in close collaboration with the study programme coordinators and our colleagues from Quality Assurance.

Finished Projects

  • Development of psychotherapy trainees (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gelo, et al.)
  • Impact of online teaching on psychotherapy training (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Fiegl et al.)
  • Impact of teletherapy on psychotherapy treatment (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Fiegl et al.)
  • Evaluation of students’ satisfaction with their studies and modalities (Univ.-Ass. Mag. Gren et al.)
  • Compatibility of professional and scientific education from the perspective of graduates (Isabella Wagner, BA BA et al.) 
  • The didactic implementation of the German Licensing Regulations in the academic direct study programme in psychotherapy (Ass.-Prof. Dr Katharina Reboly, Univ.-Prof. Dr Georg Franzen, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jutta Fiegl)

Selected Publications

Fiegl, J. (2020). Eignung und Zugang zur Psychotherapieausbildung Direktstudium der Psychotherapie nach der Matura – ist Alter ein Kriterium?. In A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, & H. Laubreuter (Hrsg.), Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (S. 263-284). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Fiegl, J., & Sindelar, B. (2020). Über den Tellerrand geschaut: Die Begegnung mit unterschiedlichen Methoden der Psychotherapie als Ausbildungselement. Eine quantitative empirische Studie der Ausbildungsforschung. In A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter, & B. Rieken (Hrsg.), Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (S. 297-314). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Fiegl, J., & Sindelar, B. (2020). Was macht eine_n Psychotherapeut_in aus? Vorstellungen und Erwartungshaltungen über den_die Psychotherapeut_in bei Beginn der Psychotherapieausbildung. In A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter, & B. Rieken (Hrsg.), Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (S. 285-296). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Gelo, O. G. C., & Pritz, A. (2020). Dialogical pluralism in psychotherapy science. In A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter, & B. Rieken (Hrsg.), Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (S. 57-84). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Reboly K. (2020): Psychotherapie als first profession. In: A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter & B. Rieken (Hrsg.): Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität. Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Reboly K. (2020): Das Psychotherapeutengesetz (PsychThG) in Deutschland. In: A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter & B. Rieken (Hrsg.): Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität. Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Tilkidzhieva, E. (2020). Psychotherapy training research at Sigmund Freud University: Summary and perspectives. In A. Pritz, J. Fiegl, H. Laubreuter, & B. Rieken (Hrsg.), Universitäres Psychotherapiestudium. Das Modell der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (S. 359-380). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

Tilkidzhieva, E., Gelo, O. C. G., Gullo, S., Orlinsky, D. E., Mörtl, K., & Fiegl, J. (2019). Self-concept of relational skills in psychotherapy trainees: A pilot study. Counselling and Psychother Research, Eoub, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/capr.12217

Messina, I., Gelo, O. C. G., Sambin, M., Bianco, F., Mosconi, A., Fenelli, A., Curto, M., Gullo, S., & Orlinsky, D. (2018). Trainees’ self‐evaluation of their development as psychotherapists: An Italian contribution to an international collaborative study on psychotherapy training. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 25(2), 338-347. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2165 (IF: 1,93)

Messina, I., Gelo, O. C., Gullo, S., Sambin, M., Mosconi, A., Fenelli, A., Curto, M., & Orlinsky, D. (2018). Personal background, motivation and interpersonal style of psychotherapy trainees having different theoretical orientations: An Italian contribution to an international collaborative study on psychotherapy training. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 18(3), 299-307. doi: 10.1002/capr.12176

Schiller, B., Mörtl, K., Tóth, E. F., & Fiegl, J. (2017). Individuelle Copingstrategien von Studierenden während des psychotherapeutischen Ausbildungsprozesses. SFU Forschungsbulletin, 5(1), 1-20. doi: 10.15135/2017.5.1.1-20

Fiegl, J. (2016). Empirische Untersuchung zum Direktstudium Psychotherapie. Forschungsergebnisse zur Eignung und zum Ausbildungsverlauf aus der Perspektive von Studierenden und Experten. Schriftenreihe der Sigmund-Freud-Privatuniversität. Reihe Psychotherapiewissenschaft in Forschung, Profession und Kultur, Bd. 14 (Hrsg.: Bernd Rieken). Münster/New York: Waxmann.

Reboly K. (2016): Akademisierung der Psychotherapie in Lehre, Forschung, Praxis und Ausbildung – Ein Beitrag zur Psychotherapiewissenschaft. Wien Berlin: Dissertation Eigendruck.

Fiegl, J., & Sindelar, B. (2014). Zur Frage der Eignung für die Psychotherapieausbildung. SFU Forschungsbulletin, 2(2), 27-44. doi: 10.15135/2014.2.2.27-44

Michael Krämer, Stephan Dutke, Gesa Bintz und Maike Lindhaus (Hrsg.). Psychologiedidaktik und Evaluation XIV (PDF). Materialien aus der Sektion Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildung in Psychologie (AFW) im Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen e.V. (BDP), Band 17

Supervision of Theses

If you are interested in writing a thesis (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) within the subject area of the institute, please contact ausbildungsforschung@sfu.ac.at.