Not everything has to stay as it is.

Change is possible. But it doesn’t happen by itself. I’m Benedikt Schmidt, a clinical psychologist. I support people who feel stuck – in depression, anxiety, or exhaustion. My approach: scientifically grounded, practically effective. Therapy is more than just talking. It’s the moment when something truly shifts.

Benedikt Schmidt

@followtheriver.de

Understanding what is – changing what can be

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.

Career Background

I work as a psychologist at the Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics at Heidelberg University Hospital, bringing not only clinical expertise but also a profound understanding of the latest scientific developments.

  • Depression & Anhedonia – Investigating the mechanisms behind emotional numbness and targeted therapeutic interventions.
  • Positive Psychology & Resilience – Strengthening motivation and emotional resilience.
  • Stress & Anxiety Management – Understanding the interplay between cognition, emotion, and the body in dealing with stress.

These insights flow directly into my therapeutic work, ensuring that my clients benefit from scientifically validated and practically effective methods.

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

Benedikt works in a very special way: heart-opening, loving, authentic and with a lot of calm. He creates a space in which one feels valued and accepted.

Violeta M.

Benedikt 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.

Baptiste Barennes

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