Sigmund Freud University Vienna

{{Infobox_University |name =Sigmund Freud University Vienna |native_name =Sigmund Freud Universität Wien |latin_name = |image =Image:Sfulogo.gif |motto = |established =2005 |type = |city =Vienna |state = |country =Austria |students=300 |undergrad = |postgrad = |doctoral = |staff =80 |rector =Professor Alfred Pritz |campus = |colors = |colours = |mascot = |affiliations = |free_label = |free = |website =http://www.sfu.ac.at }} The Sigmund Freud University of Vienna (SFU) was accredited as a private university by the Austrian Accreditation Council in August 2005. As a university in the field of human sciences, SFU specializes in the science of psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy goes back a long way in history. It has been practiced for thousands of years by shamans and other healers as well as by priests and physicians who have offered their help to people struggling with existential crises, anxieties, depression and psychosomatic disorders.

Modern scientific psychotherapy dates back approximately 300 years, and for the past 100 years or so efforts to conceptualize it have been intensified, with Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) at the forefront. He was the first to make great strides in exploring the inner workings of the human soul, and in doing so has made a large contribution to understanding modern human behaviour. Freud’s achievements still have an effect on both his supporters and adversaries, and it is his approach to research which we would like to take as our model.

Since the time of Freud, psychotherapy has witnessed the emergence of a vast array of new methods and innovations. In addition, important common features among the various therapeutic approaches have been ascertained. Moreover, thousands of studies have proven the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment. Over the past 20 years, worldwide efforts have focused on establishing psychotherapy as a research discipline and profession in its own right. In this endeavour, the developments in Austria have played an important role, considering the fact that the Austrian Parliament passed the first Psychotherapy Law in 1990. This law establishes psychotherapy as an independent profession it its own right and regulates a standardized, scientific-based psychotherapy training. What has been missing so far, however, is its incorporation into an academic setting, in terms of training as well as in terms of research.

SFU has recognized the necessity of providing psychotherapeutic training within the scope of a university education. It offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in the science of psychotherapy as well as an extensive conceptualization of research activities.

For the first time worldwide, SFU combines three basic principles of psychotherapy training: self-awareness, practical training under supervision and theoretical input. It sets an example in demonstrating that a university’s responsibilities are not limited to teaching theory, sometimes paired with action-oriented know-how, but also involve giving students a wide range of options for personal development.

SFU adopts the same approach with regard to psychotherapy research, as it not only aims to collect objective data but relate scientific information to the individual in their particular situation in life. In view of the fact that significant progress has been made in the field of evidenced-based psychotherapy research over the past few decades it is of utmost importance to link research activities with the daily practice of psychotherapists. The mutual benefits derived from such a two-way learning model serves to increase the quality of research and, as a consequence, leads to more effective psychotherapeutic treatment.