Benedikt Schmidt
Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist in training
Psychological Support for Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout.
I specialise in:
About me
You may have spent a lot of time trying to understand yourself yet feel caught in worry, exhaustion or familiar difficulties in relationships. Perhaps something has changed in your life, and the ways you usually cope no longer seem to help.
I’m Benedikt Schmidt, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in training, supporting adults experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout or relationship struggles. I particularly welcome people navigating life abroad, high responsibilities, or major life transitions. My focus is on understanding what keeps familiar patterns going and where there may be room for greater trust, openness, and choice.
Having lived and worked in several countries myself, I know how building a life somewhere new can raise questions about identity, relationships and belonging. I’m interested in understanding what this experience is like for you.
My background includes master’s degrees in Clinical and Health Psychology and Applied Social Psychology, alongside clinical experience in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital. I am undertaking postgraduate training in systemic psychotherapy at the Heidelberger Institut für Psychotherapie. In my independent practice, I am authorised to practise psychotherapy under Germany’s Heilpraktikergesetz.
I have also contributed to research on anhedonia, the loss of interest or pleasure, as well as personality assessment in inpatient care. Alongside my work in applied positive psychology, these experiences inform my interest in how people understand themselves and what supports enjoyment, motivation and meaning.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My work draws on systemic therapy, hypnosystemic approaches and parts work. In our first session, we explore what brings you here, how it affects your life and what you would like help with. Together, we agree on an initial focus.
Systemic therapy pays particular attention to the relationships and circumstances that shape your life. We explore recurring patterns of conflict, closeness and distance: how you and others respond to one another and where there may be room for change. This can include exploring attachment patterns, family expectations and the balance between connection and independence.
Sometimes different needs pull in different directions. You might want closeness yet find yourself withdrawing, or need rest but feel guilty when you slow down. A response that causes difficulties today may also have helped you cope or feel safer in the past. We approach these tensions with curiosity and explore what you need now.
Sessions combine conversation with emotional exploration. Depending on what feels useful, we might work with imagery, bodily sensations or different sides of an inner conflict. I explain what I suggest and why, and you decide whether you would like to try it.
I bring questions, observations and suggestions. We also make room to talk about how you experience our work together, including what feels helpful, difficult or hard to say. Your feedback guides the focus and pace of our sessions.
I offer sessions in English, German and Italian. You can book a free 15-minute introductory call to ask questions, discuss what you are looking for and get a sense of whether we would work well together.
Experience
Professional Experience:
- Psychotherapist in Training - Heidelberg Institut for Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University Hospital
- Psychologist – Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University Hospital
- Psychologist – Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital
- Psychologist in Private Practice – Follow The River
- Research and Communication Associate – Prof. Ilona Boniwell, Positran, Paris
Research Contributions:
- Contribution to the integrative personality assessment in inpatient care (Prof. Markus Haun, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg)
- Contribution to the Research Project “Unraveling the Aesthetic Mind in Anhedonia” – Investigation of the neural foundations of anhedonia using ketamine and aesthetic stimuli (Dr Julia Crone and Prof. Rupert Lanzenberger, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna)
- Contribution to the Development of the „Positive Organisational Profile©“ (Prof. Ilona Boniwell, Positran, Paris)
Education
Education:
- MSc in Psychology, specialising in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology (with Distinction) – University of Vienna
- MSc in Applied Social Psychology – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- BSc in Psychology – University of Vienna and Sapienza University of Rome
Certifications and Further Training:
- Postgraduate training in Psychological Psychotherapy, systemic therapy (ongoing) – Heidelberg Institute for Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University Hospital
- Training in Psychological Coaching (hypnosystemics, solution-focused, embodiment)– Dr Vera Popper and Mag. Christine Hoffmann, Vienna
- Practitioner Training in Positive Psychology – Prof. Ilona Boniwell, Paris
- Seminar Leader Training in Stress Management – Silke Ludwig, Hanover
- Licence to Practise Psychotherapy under the German Heilpraktikergesetz
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Insurances
