2015 was marked by an strong focus on the form and the structure of both our research and teaching. Sciencewise, this encompassed to publication of some key articles on placebo and psychotherapy, employing both experimental as well as meta-analytical approaches. In our teaching, we started our so-called tripartite tactile teaching, which was invented out of a piece of dried-up moss during a team-hike through some hills nearby and which captures our idea of how to relate to our students – with shared responsibilty and a clear focus on the experience of knowledge. Also and most-importantly, Irving Kirsch received the honorary PhD of the Faculty of Psychology and spent a whole week in our division. We not only benefitted from this, we were deeply honored – and it was fun, indeed! JG, February 2016

Members of the division 2015

Judith Alder, Johanna Birkhäuer, Judith Blatter-Meunier, Mara Bruggisser, Romana Camenzind, Felicitas Forrer, Jens Gaab, Heike Gerger, Sebastian Hasler, Karin Hediger, Nadja Heimgartner, Joe Kossowsky, Cosima Locher, Sibylle Meier, Yoon Phaik Ooi, Milena Petignat, Claudia Ruf, Christoph Werner, Boby Xavier Thaiparambil

Appointments

Prof. Dr. Yoon Phaik Ooi, Visiting Assistant Professor. Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

External PhD’s

Verena Ehrbar, Astrid Grossert, Evelin Hug, Helen Koechlin, Grit Lexlow, Aleksandar Lujic, Stefanie Neubrand, Dena Sadeghi Bahmani, Nathalie Schenk, Sandra Scherer, Christian Schrobildgen, Theresa Tondorf

Research

Publications of members of the division in 2015 (total impact factor 44.5)

1. Scherer, S., Alder, J. Gaab, J., Berger, T., Ihde, K., Urech, C. (2015). Patient satisfaction and psychological well-being after internet-based cognitive behavioral stress management (IB-CBSM) for women with preterm labor: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.10.011, IF: 2.7
2. Prätzlich, M., Kossowsky, J., Gaab, J., Krummenacher, P. (2015). Impact of Short-Term Meditation and Expectation on Executive Brain Functions. Behavioural Brain Research, Oct 14;297:268-276. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.10.012. IF: 3.0
3. Lester, K. J., Roberts, S., Keers, R., Coleman, J. R. I., Breen, G., Wong, Ch. C. Y., Xu, X., Arendt, K., Blatter-Meunier, J., Bögels, S., Cooper, P., Creswell, C., Heiervang, E. R., Herren, Ch., Hogendoorn, S. M., Hudson, J. L., Krause, K., Lyneham, H. J., McKinnon, A., Morris, T., Nauta, M. H., Rapee, R. M., Rey, Y., Schneider, S., Schneider, S. C., Silverman, W. K., Smith, P., Thastum, M., Thirlwall, K., Waite, P., Wergeland, G. J., & Eley, T. C. (2015). Non-replication of the association between 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy for child anxiety disorders. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.154997, IF: 7.34
4. Gaab, J., Blease, C., Locher, C., Gerger, H. (2015). Go open - a plea for transparency in psychotherapy. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, American Psychological Association. dx.doi.org/10.1037/cns0000063
5. Magiati I, Ponniah K, Ooi YP, Chan YH, Fung D, Woo B. (2015). Self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school-aged Singaporean children. Asia Pac Psychiatry. 2015 Mar;7(1):91-104, IF: 0.4
6. Gerger, H.,  Hlavica, M., Gaab, J.,  Munder, M.,  Barth, J. (2015). Does it matter who provides psychological interventions for medically unexplained symptoms? A meta-analysis. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84:217–226, IF: 9.37
7. In-Albon, T., Ruf, C. & Schmid, M. (2015). Facial emotion recognition in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury. Psychiatry Research, 228, 332-339. DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.089, IF: 2.5
8. Smith, K., Iversen, C., Kossowsky, J (2015), S O’Dell, R Gambhir, R Coakley (2015). Apple apps for the management of pediatric pain and pain-related stress. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology 3 (2), 93
9. Kossowsky J, Kaptchuk TJ. (2015). Placebo effects in infants, toddlers, and parents (Comment on Paul et a., 2014 JAMA Pediatr.). JAMA Pediatr. 2015 May 1;169(5):50, IF: 4.25
10. Yoon Phaik Ooi, Shih-Jen Weng, Yeok Jang Leong, Lambert Low, Jacqueline Seah, Rebecca P. Ang, Choon Guan Lim, Alvin Liew, and Min Sung (2015). Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Findings from an Open-label Pilot Study in Singapore. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, iEur J Clin Nutr. 2015 Mar 25. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.28, IF: 2.95
11. Locher, C., Kossowsky, J., Gaab, J., Kirsch, I., Bain, P.A., Krummenacher, P. (2015). Moderation of Antidepressant and Placebo Outcomes by Baseline Severity in Late-Life Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders, IF: 3.7
12. Gaab, J. (2015) Wie wirkt Psychotherapie? In: Das eigenes Leben  – Jemand sein dürfen, statt etwas sein müssen. Denkschrift für Daniel Hell, Herausgeber Mettner, M. & Jung, J. NZZ-Libro.
13. Pfalz, M., Wilhelm, F., Michael, T., Kossowsky, J., Moerstedt, B., & Meyer, A. (2015). Why can't I stop thinking about it? Cognitive mediators of the relationship between neuroticism and obsessing. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 74 (2), 75–82 , IF: 0.7
14. Gaab, J. (2015). HIV/AIDS. In: Verhaltensmedizin und Psychosomatik, Herausgeber: Rief, W. und Henningsen, P., Schattauer Verlag.
15. Gaab, J. (2015). Stressmanagement. In: Verhaltensmedizin und Psychosomatik, Herausgeber: Rief, W. und Henningsen, P., Schattauer Verlag.
16. Kossowsky J., Donado C., Berde C.B. (2015). Immediate Rescue Designs in Pediatric Analgesic Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Anesthesiology. 2015 Jan;122(1):150-71. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000445. IF: 6.2
17. Voellmin A, Winzeler K, Hug E, Wilhelm FH, Schaefer V, Gaab J, La Marca R, Pruessner JC, Bader K (2015). Blunted endocrine and cardiovascular reactivity in young healthy women reporting a history of childhood adversity. Psychoneuroendocrinology. January/51:58-67, IF: 5.6

Funding (total funding 2014 CHF 17’563.55)

• Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel (2015): Unterstützungsbeitrag an Studie am Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, im Rahmen einer Dissertation zum Thema "The role of emotion regulation in medically unexplained pain symptoms in adolescents". Antragsstellerin: Helen Koechlin MSc. CHF 7'000.
• Stay-on-track (2015): Finanzierung eines Hilfsassistenten zur Unterstützung der  Arbeitsgruppe „Klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie“. Antragstellerin: Dr. Judith Blatter-Meunier. CHF 7’563.55
• Mathieu-Stiftung (2015).  Unterstützungsbeitrag für postgraduales Praktikum in der Forschungsgruppe Program in Placebo Studies and the Therapeutic Encounter (PiPS), Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Antragstellerin: Nathalie Schenk MSc (Masterstudentin der Abteilung). CHF 3’000

On-going funded projects

• Max Zeller Söhne AG (2014-2016). A phase IV, randomised, placebo controlled study to investigate the effects of Zeller Entspannung on cortisol responses in healthy volunteers with acute stress – a mode of action study with cortisol measurement in saliva. Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Jens Gaab. CHF 106’717
• SNF doc.ch grant (2014-2016): The Effect of Interpersonal Trust on Treatment Outcome. Antragstellerin Johanna Birkhäuer MSc. CHF 120'259
• SNF Advanced Postdoc.Mobility (2015-2016): Harnessing the Placebo Effect to Augment the Pharmacological Treatment of Children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Antragsteller Dr. Joe Kossowsky, CHF 75’000
• Krebsliga Schweiz (2014-2016): Web-based stress management for newly diagnosed cancer patients (STREAM-1): a randomized, wait-list controlled intervention study. Dr. Corinne Urech (lead applicant), PD. Dr. Judith Alder, Prof. Dr. Thomas Berger, Prof. Dr. Jens Gaab, Prof. Dr. Viviane Hess (all co-applicants), CHF 252’300
• Departement für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit, Swiss Cooperation Office (2012-2016), Antragsteller Prof. Dr. Jens Gaab, lic. phil. Naser Morina (Universitätsspital Zürich), Ass.-Prof. Dr. Nexhmedin Morina (Universität Amsterdam)(2012-2015): Support to Clinical Psychology in Kosovo. CHF 403'910.

Teaching

Spring semester 2015

• Bachelor, Seminar: Gesprächsführung und Kommunikationstraining (Nadja Heimgartner & Jens Gaab)
• Bachelor, Vorlesung: Somatopsychologie und Psychophysiologie (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Vorlesung: Diagnostik, Ätiologie und Therapie psychischer Störungen (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Fallseminar: Sinn- und Akzeptanzorientierte Arbeit in der Psychoonkologie (Judith Alder)
• Master, Forschungskolloquium (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Stress and anxiety reduction in women with preterm labour to improve outcome: A randomized controlled intervention study (Judith Alder & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Psychoonkologie (Judith Alder, Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Interventionsforschung (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Placebo- und Noceboforschung (Joe Kossosky, Johanna Birkhäuer & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Forschungskolloquium (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Psychoneuroendocrine evaluation of a phytopharmacological intervention (Sibylle Meier & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Meta-Analysen (Heike Gerger, Joe Kossowsky & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Omega-3-Fettsäuren und ADHS bei Kindern (Jens Gaab & Yoon Phaik Ooi)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie - Selbstverletzendes Verhalten (Martina Birgit Bürli, Jens Gaab, Tina In-Albon Wampfler & Andrea Hans Meyer)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Masterprojekt: Frühe Traumatisierung, Emotionsregulation und Schlaf (Klaus Bader, Christian Cajochen & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Psychohtherapieforschung in der Psychiatrie (Klaus Bader, Jens Gaab)

Fall semester 2015

• Bachelor, Vorlesung: Klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie (Yoon Phaik Ooi)
• Bachelor, Vorlesung: Psychotherapie (Jens Gaab)
• Bachelor, Seminar: Gesprächsführung und Kommunikationstraining (Nadja Heimgartner & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Theorieseminar: Einführung in die Placebo- und Noceboforschung (Cosima Locher)
• Master, Vorlesung: Interventions- und Placeboforschung (Heike Gerger)
• Master, Vorlesung: Klinische Somatopsychologie (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Fallseminar: Erwachsenenpsychotherapie  (Nadja Heimgartner)
• Master, Fallseminar: Grundlagen der Psychoonkologie (Judith Alder)
• Master, Fallseminar: Psychotherapie psychischer Störungen (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Forschungskolloquium (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Interventionsforschung (Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Psychosomatik (Diana Zwahlen, Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Placebo- und Noceboforschung (Johanna Birkhäuer, Jens Gaab, Joe Kossowsky)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie - Selbstverletzendes Verhalten  (Martina Birgit Bürli, Jens Gaab, Tina In-Albon Wampfler & Andrea Hans Meyer)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Stressmanagement und Ressourcenaktivierung für Patienten mit einer Krebserkrankung: Wirksamkeit eines webbasierten Trainings (Judith Alder & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Psychoonkologie (Judith Alder & Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Omega-3-Fettsäuren und ADHS bei Kindern (Yoon Phaik Ooi, Jens Gaab)
• Master, Masterprojekt: Lernen im Schlaf: Verbessert Schlaf den Erfolg einer Expositionstherapie bei Angstpatienten (Klaus Bader, Jens Gaab)

Dissertations

1. Dr. Claudia Ruf: Emotion Regulation - An Empirical Investigation in Female Adolescents with Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
   Dr. Marina Sleptsova: Migranten im Gesundheitswesen der Schweiz
   Dr. Katja Winzeler: Stress in Healthy Young Women: Psychophysiological Stress Responses and Sleep in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Daily Sleep

Master theses

1. Selina Boser: Placebo with a psychotherapeutical meaning - concentration on the effects of meaning and relationship
2. Doris Eichelberger: Web-based counseling for families with parental cancer: A case-based experience report
3. Alexandra Fässler: Web-based stress management program for newly diagnosed cancer patients – A case-based experience report
4. Felix Radüg: Schafe im Wolfspelz - Weitere Einblicke in die Dunkle Triade Persönlichkeit
5. Natalie Maurer: The role of relationship and meaning in psychotherapeutic placebo responses
6. Nathalie Schenk: Placebo with psychotherapeutic meaning: Impact of interpersonal behaviour on the placebo response
7. Simona Nacevski: Effects of expectancy on omega-3 fatty acids treatment in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
8. Stefania Vanzetti: Comparing behavioural and emotional problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and with anxiety disorders
9. Tiziana Falcone: The Differences in Parent Rating Scales and Self-reported Externalizing Problems and Psychopathic Traits of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder using the Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Questionnaire and the Antisocial Process Screening Device
10. Franziska Zgraggen: Effects of expressive writing fort he treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms –a meta- analysis
11. Isabelle Bertschi: Psychological well-being and family functioning in families affected by parental cancer
12. Stefanie Hochueli: Psychophysiological evaluation of a social support-based stress management intervention in healthy women
13. Jana Müller: AIDA 19+: Ein valides und reliables Instrument zur Erfassung der Identitätsentwicklung im jungen Erwachsenenalter
14. Leon Murthy: Eigene Krankheitserfahrungen im Spiegel der Erfahrungen anderer – MLD-Daten-Auswertung zur Webseite Krankheitserfahrungen.de
15. Svetlana Ponti: Psychoneuroendocrine evaluation of social support based stress management training in healthy women
16. Anja Waldmeier: The Big-Five Personality Traits and Their Relation to School Performance in Indian Students
17. Céline Wernli: Working alliance in a web-based stress management program for newly diagnosed cancer patients

Centre for Psychotherapy

The Centre for Psychotherapy is associated to the Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. The Centre for Psychotherapy offers clinical assessments, psychotherapy, and psychotherapeutic training for mental disorders and difficulties as well as psychological support during somatic diseases and disorders for all ages. The mean number of appointments in 2015 was 93, which represents an 40% increase with regard to previous years. The mean numbers of appointments per month and since the start of the Centre for Psychotherapy are shown below.

2015