The Institute of Psychosomatics at the Faculty of Medicine

Current research priorities of the Institute include empirical investigations into the role of affective, interoceptive, and social processes in virtual environments, digital stress and coping mechanisms in the context of attachment and mentalization, as well as the effectiveness, acceptance, and utilization of digital interventions. These include, among others, video-based psychotherapy, AI-driven applications, and mobile tools for prevention and treatment within psychosomatic, psychotherapeutic, and psychiatric care settings. Particular attention is given to changes in therapeutic processes under digital conditions. The aim is not only to accompany ongoing developments in Austria and Germany from a scientific perspective, but also to contribute independently to the evidence-based advancement of digital healthcare models.

1. Online Use and Attachment Styles

Attachment organization fundamentally shapes interpersonal relationships and is associated with vulnerability to mental disorders. Against this background, the Institute investigates how attachment styles and mentalization-related capacities influence the use and structuring of digital interaction spaces.

The focus lies on associations between attachment-related patterns, personality traits, and various forms of digitally mediated interaction, including phenomena such as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), phubbing, and ghosting. In addition, dysfunctional usage patterns, including internet-related addictions and online gaming disorder, as well as their psychological correlates, are examined.

A further line of research addresses distressing digital relationship experiences, such as cyberstalking and cyber dating abuse, and their association with attachment, trauma development, and psychological symptomatology. Complementarily, both risks and potentials of digital media use within existing relationships are analyzed.

The Institute also contributes to the development of clinical guidelines, including participation in the S1 guideline on internet use disorders.

2. Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy

The Institute investigates the potentials, limitations, and implications of the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapeutic practice. The focus encompasses both technological foundations and specific application areas, such as diagnostics, the development of personalized interventions, and the use of AI-based conversational systems.

A particular emphasis is placed on the integration of such systems into existing therapeutic processes, including their effects on the therapeutic relationship, acceptance among clinicians and patients, as well as ethical and legal considerations.

Current research includes studies on the acceptance and use of AI-supported applications as well as on the effectiveness of AI-based interventions in psychosocial contexts. The findings are disseminated through scientific publications and monographs and form the basis for further experimental and application-oriented research.

3. AI-Based and Digital Applications in Various Medical Disciplines

The Institute examines the use, acceptance, and potential of digital technologies and AI-based systems across different medical disciplines. A central focus lies on patient-centered perspectives and the conditions under which digital applications can be meaningfully integrated into existing healthcare settings.

Research includes applications in fields such as dermatology, anesthesiology, and dentistry, as well as the use of virtual environments to support medical treatments. The aim is to systematically identify opportunities and challenges of digital medicine across disciplines and to develop evidence-based recommendations for patient-centered implementation.

4. Changes in Therapeutic Practice in Online Settings

Online psychotherapy has gained substantial importance, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the Institute investigates how altered setting conditions influence therapeutic processes and treatment outcomes.

Research focuses on changes in core therapeutic concepts within digital settings, the management of clinically relevant challenges such as suicidality, and the use and evaluation of video-based psychotherapy and digital health applications in post-pandemic care.

The aim is to develop a differentiated understanding of the mechanisms of psychotherapeutic interventions under digital conditions and to systematically assess their implications for clinical practice.

5. Interoception, Mental Health, and Computational Modeling

A central research focus of the Institute lies in the investigation of interoceptive processes as fundamental mechanisms of mental health. Interoception, understood as the perception and regulation of bodily signals such as respiration, cardiac activity, or visceral states, plays a key role in emotion regulation, self-perception, and stress processing.

Dysfunctions in interoceptive processing are associated with a wide range of psychological and psychosomatic disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, and addiction.

The Institute examines interoceptive processes in interaction with affective, relational, and digital contexts, particularly with regard to attachment, mentalization, and digital environments such as online therapy or virtual settings. In addition, computational modelling approaches are employed to formally describe interoceptive dynamics and to quantitatively capture individual differences in perception, regulation, and vulnerability.

The aim is to systematically advance the understanding of interoception-based mechanisms and to make them accessible for the development of evidence-based, including digitally supported, interventions.

Aktuelle Publikationen

A complete list of publications can be found at www.christianeeichenberg.de

Current publications are also available on the SFU Research Portal.

Eichenberg, C., Bischoff, H. & Krusche, J. (2026). Künstliche Intelligenz und Psychotherapie. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.

Psychosomatics

Die Psy­che in Zei­ten der Corona-Krise. Her­aus­for­de­run­gen und Lösungs­an­sätze für Psy­cho­the­ra­peu­ten und soziale Hel­fer
Herausgeber: Bering, R. & Eichen­berg, C. (2021)
Verlag: Stutt­gart: Klett-Cotta
(3. voll­ständ. über­arb. Neu­aufl.)
Klappentext

Die Psy­che in Zei­ten der Corona-Krise. Her­aus­for­de­run­gen und Lösungs­an­sätze für Psy­cho­the­ra­peu­ten und soziale Hel­fer
Herausgeber: Bering, R. & Eichen­berg, C. (2020)
Verlag: Stutt­gart: Klett-Cotta
ISBN: 978-3-608-98411-8
1. Auflage 2020, ca. 256 Seiten, broschiert

Ein­füh­rung Kli­ni­sche Psy­cho­so­ma­tik
Herausgeber: Eichen­berg, C. & Senf, W. (2019)
Reihe: PsychoMed compact
Verlag: Mün­chen: UTB
ISBN: 9783825252632
1. Auflage 2020, 302 Seiten, kartoniert
Klappentext

E-Mental Health

Digitale Selbsthilfe bei psychischen Störungen
Chancen, Risiken und Auswirkungen auf die Behandlung
Herausgeberinnen: Eichen­berg, C. & Auer­sperg, F.
Verlag: Hogrefe Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen
ISBN: 978-3-8017-3104-5
1. Auflage 2022, 82 Seiten
Blick ins Buch

Chancen und Risi­ken digi­ta­ler Medien für Kin­der und Jugend­li­che:
Ein Ratgeber für Eltern und Pädagogen. Herausgeberinnen: Eichenberg, C. & Auersperg, F. (2024, 2. überarb. Aufl.) Verlag: Göttingen: Hogrefe
ISBN: 9783801732097
190 Seiten

Klappentext

Psychotraumatology

Trauma und digi­tale Medien: The­ra­pie­mög­lich­kei­ten und Risi­ken. 
Eichen­berg, C. & Huss, J. (2023). 
Verlag: Klett-Cotta
Klappentext 

Einführung Psychotraumatologie
Herausgeber: Eichenberg, Christiane; Zimmermann, Peter: Reihe: PsychoMed compact
ISBN:9783825247621; 1. Auflage 2017, 177 Seiten
Klappentext

Self-Treatment

Selbstbehandlung und Selbstmedikation
Herausgeber: Christiane Eichenberg, Elmar Brähler, Hans-Wolfgang Hoefert
Reihe: Organisation und Medizin – Band 19
ISBN: 9783801726881
1. Auflage 2017, 400 Seiten
Klappentext

Current events

Further information on the Institute for Psychosomatics’ event series can be found in the university’s event announcements.

All lectures by Prof. Dr Eichenberg can be found on her personal website.

Recent Media Interviews (Selection)

• Radio interview: Soziale Netzwerke: Social-Media-Sucht – Ab wann reichts? WDR 3 Mosaik, 04.02.2025.
• Radio interview: Social Media-Plattformen – Selbsthilfe für junge User. Bayern 2, 07.02.2025.
• Video interview: Fachkommentar zu “Gaza – Der Krieg bestimmt mein Leben”. arte.tv.
• Radio interview: Woche der seelischen Gesundheit: können Apps der Psyche helfen? Deutschlandfunk Kultur, 10.10.2025.
• Interview: “Soziale Medien verstärken Depressionen, nicht umgekehrt“. FOCUS, 25.11.2025.

We supervise qualification theses for students of Medicine, Psychology, and Psychotherapy Science. Currently available topics are announced via relevant mailing lists but may also be requested by email from the institute’s director. Students are also welcome to propose their own topics within the institute’s research focus areas.

Research Internships

Students interested in research internships—internal or external—are invited to send an email with standard application documents to the institute director. We also gladly supervise students from international universities (e.g., Erasmus program).

Contact
Head of the Institute of Psychosomatics at the Faculty of Medicine
Univ.-Prof. Dr phil. habil. Christiane Eichenberg
Psychologist and psychoanalyst
eichenberg@sfu.ac.at

We offer committed visiting scholars the opportunity to actively participate in the institute’s research activities through a temporary, unpaid visiting appointment. This program is aimed at researchers from medicine, psychology, psychotherapy science, or related disciplines.

Visiting scholars may contribute to ongoing research projects within the institute’s focus areas or propose their own research ideas, provided they align thematically. Participation is coordinated closely with the institute director and may include involvement in studies, publications, methodological development, or academic exchange.

The visiting appointment serves scientific exchange, networking, and the promotion of joint research activities. No remuneration is provided.

Interested applicants are requested to submit an informal inquiry via email to the institute director, including a brief letter of motivation, a current CV, and a description of the planned research project or intended contribution.

Contact
Head of the Institute of Psychosomatics at the Faculty of Medicine
Univ.-Prof. Dr phil. habil. Christiane Eichenberg
Psychologist and psychoanalyst
eichenberg@sfu.ac.at