Department of Clinical Psychology
Mission Statement of the Division of Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is a central subdiscipline of psychology and deals with mental disorders as well as the psychological aspects of somatic illnesses. Its focus includes the conditions under which disorders develop and are maintained, classification and diagnosis, epidemiological questions, and evaluation.
As an applied field, clinical psychology provides the scientific and practical framework for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of people of all ages with mental disorders. In practice, clinical psychological treatment and psychotherapy are at the forefront.
The focus of our research and practice is on a holistic understanding of the human being, with the aim of understanding and alleviating psychological distress and promoting development. We adopt an integrative perspective that considers both strengths and deficits, and that examines individual developmental trajectories against the backdrop of social, cultural, and societal conditions. Clinical psychology sees itself as an interdisciplinary field with close links to other applied subdisciplines, such as psychiatry.
A central component of our students’ academic training is the close integration of our own research with the current international state of research in clinical psychology and related disciplines. These contents are taught through numerous practical examples in both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
