Understand what holds you back. Discover what moves you forward.

I am Benedikt Schmidt, a clinical psychologist. I support people who feel stuck – in depression, anxiety, or exhaustion. My approach is scientifically grounded and practically effective. Welcome to Follow The River.

Benedikt Schmidt

@followtheriver.de

Mind, body, emotions – they are all interconnected. Therapy is not just about understanding; it’s about experiencing change. That’s why I take an integrative approach, combining cognitive, emotional, and bodily processes:

  • Hypnosystemic Therapy – Activating deep-seated resources and facilitating transformation.
  • Embodiment & Bodywork – Harnessing the connection between emotions and the body.
  • Solution-Focused Therapy – Developing pragmatic, immediately applicable strategies.

This combination fosters a cooperative dialogue that is both analytical and experience-oriented – allowing real, tangible change to take place.

Professional Experience

  • Psychologist – Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital (since 2024)
  • Psychologist in Private Practice – Follow The River (since 2020)
  • Research in Positive Psychology – Prof. Ilona Boniwell, Positran, Épône and Paris (2018-2019)
  • 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)

Education & Qualifications

  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology (with Distinction) – University of Vienna
  • Master of Science in Applied Social Psychology – Free University of Amsterdam
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology – University of Vienna and University of La Sapienza, Rome
Certifications & Further Training
  • Training in Psychological Psychotherapy (ongoing) – Heidelberg Institute for Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University Hospital
  • Training in Psychological Coaching – Dr Vera Popper and Mag. Christine Hoffmann, Vienna
  • FSL Course on Brain Imaging Analysis – Prof. Janine Bijsterbosch and Prof. Ludovica Griffanti, University of Oxford
  • Further Training in Positive Psychology – Creativity management, strengths and time management, motivation, engagement, job crafting, nudging, and positive leadership (Prof. Ilona Boniwell, Paris)
  • Training as Seminar Leader in Stress Management – Silke Ludwig, Hanover
  • Licence to Practise Psychotherapy under the German Heilpraktikergesetz – Based on File Records

What clients say

Kate B.
Musician, Los Angeles

Mr Schmidt’s approach to hypnotherapy is refreshingly different. Rather than overanalyzing problems, he guides you through imaginative exercises that reveal the interplay of inner voices and perspectives in moments of worry. With his guidance, I uncovered aspects of myself I had never considered. By giving space to these inner dynamics, I was able to let go of self-judgment and anxiety and reconnect with what truly matters. Mr Schmidt’s presence is calm, focused, and unrushed.

Baptiste Barennes
Naturopath, Versailles

Benedikt Schmidt enables you to go deep inside yourself to find the answers there. For this, he relies mainly on the sensation of the body. I had two inner directions on a topic and was able to understand what each side wanted for me. And that was liberating; that is something I can use all my life.

Mathias S.
Entrepreneur, Vienna

Benedikt Schmidt has a gift for helping people gain clarity and insight into their lives. He creates a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth. His calm and open-hearted approach makes it easy to feel at ease and truly explore oneself.

M. W.
Managing Director

Having carried significant responsibility throughout my life, I never expected depression to strike me so profoundly. Working with Mr Schmidt has helped me regain my emotional balance and given me a new perspective on myself.

Hamza
IT Professional, Casablanca

I started working with Mr Schmidt after a deeply distressing experience that left me feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. His thoughtful guidance, patience, and ability to create a safe space helped me regain a sense of stability and integration. This journey is ongoing, but I am truly grateful to have Mr Schmidt as a trusted companion along the way.

Alexander H.
Musician, Berlin

I am really impressed with how professional, passionate about the coaching, and flexible Mr Schmidt is in finding the right approach. Combined with his easy-going manner of communication, I was able to feel comfortable during our first session, even though I was in a really confused state of mind. You can't go wrong with getting in touch with Mr Schmidt. 10/10

Robert S.
Media Professional, Berlin

Benedikt Schmidt helped me navigate a deeply challenging time with remarkable sensitivity to inner strengths and moments of insight, providing much-needed stability. His proactive approach—both in person and online—set me on a new, restorative path. Thank you!

Anonymous
Pianist, Berlin

Setting a goal at the start of each session, about what would a good outcome look like, helped us to find clear direction and focus. I found this useful as it gave me the chance to go deeper and get closer to the core of my thoughts and feelings.

Anonymous
Corporate Lawyer

I was sceptical. Bodywork and hypnosystemic therapy didn’t sound like something that would work for me. But Mr Schmidt quickly understood what was at stake. His analytical approach convinced me, and the methods had a clarity and impact that genuinely surprised me. Today, I work with greater focus, make decisions with confidence – and handle pressure without it holding me back.

Dr Valery O.
Radiologist, Kyiv

I would recommend online consults with Mr Schmidt based on his skills to warm up the conversation while letting you feel understood and accepted. I imagine he has a personalized approach to dealing with our internal matters and crises. Above all, his expertise in embodiment psychology allowed me to find the missing associations and provide explanations along with answers to questions I struggle with in life. He also proposes practical and easy-to-follow solutions to coping with stressful situations.

Marc H.
Engineer, Munich

For a long time, I saw my anxiety as a private matter—something I simply needed more discipline to control. But the harder I fought it, the more present it became. Mr Schmidt helped me break this cycle. His approach was analytical yet never distant, grounded yet free of dogma. I am not entirely free of anxiety today, but I have regained a sense of agency.

Anett
Make-Up Artist

I was facing an acute crisis, a significant change that I couldn't foresee, and it completely knocked the ground from beneath my feet. Through the sessions with Mr Schmidt, I was able to see the situation from a new perspective. The way I was guided step by step through these very difficult situations enabled me to experience and utilise the pain. I can only recommend working with Mr Schmidt; it's an absolute enrichment.

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