Dr. Friederike Winter (she/her)
School of Social Sciences
Willy-Brandt-Platz 1
68161 Mannheim
Research Interests
- Psychotherapy research: psychotherapy training, therapist characteristics and therapist health
- Psychodynamic constructs: relational dynamics, conflict and structure in individuals and families
- Contemplative science: compassion, empathy and prosociality in basic research and in interventions for prevention, therapy and self-care
- Intersection of psychotherapy research and environmental psychology: self-regulation and resilience in the face of crises
- Social interaction, relationship dynamics and partner burden in mental disorders; couple therapy
- Group therapy research: mechanisms of change and interventions
Professional Career
Winter semester 2025/ 2026 Interim Professor for Counseling Psychology, University of Kassel Since 2023 Postdoc researcher at the chair of Clinical Psychology, Interaction and Psychotherapy Research, University of Mannheim Winter semester 2023/ 2024 Lecturer at the chair of Clinical Psychology, Interaction and Psychotherapy Research, University of Mannheim 2017–2023 Academic researcher at the Institute of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Heidelberg 2021–2023 Lecturer for psychodynamic psychotherapy at SRH Heidelberg 2023 Certification as trainer in Cognitively-Based Compassion Training® (Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics, Emory University, Atlanta, USA & Tibethaus e. V.) 2018–2020 Certification in Systemic Sex Therapy (IGST, e. V. Heidelberg, Ullrich Clement, Angelika Eck) 2019 Psychotherapist licensing training at the Department of General Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg 2019 Co-Founder of the interest section SPReduce on the intersection of psychotherapy research and environmental psychology in the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) 2017–2018 Psychotherapist licensing training at Department of General Internal Medicine, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Heidelberg 2017–2018 Counselor at Psychosozialen Hilfe e. V., Heidelberg 2011–2016 Research assistant at the departments of Clinical Psychology and Social Psychology, University of Heidelberg; Institute of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Heidelberg Academic Career
Since 2026 PI of SPECT study: Strengthening Personal Competences in Psychotherapy Training (APA Division 29: Norine Johnson Psychotherapy Research Grant Since 2026 PI of CLIMAREG: Climate Emotion Regulation Study (SPR Small Research Grant) 2021–2026 Postgraduate psychotherapist licensing training in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Berlin Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis e. V. (BIPP) Winter semester 2025/ 2026 Interim Professor for Counseling Psychology, University of Kassel Since 2023 Scientific co-director of the SEREKO project (Köhler Foundation): Study on the experience of teaching therapy/ teaching analysis during psychodynamic training 2017–2022 Promotion Dr. phil. (Psychology) at Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg, Institute of Medical Psychology, Title of dissertation: „Social Aspects in Depression Call for the Integration of Partners Into Treatment: Mechanisms of a Compassion-Based Multi-Couple Intervention“ (magna cum laude), supervisor: Prof. Dr. Beate Ditzen 2017–2020 Postgraduate psychotherapist licensing training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Heidelberg Institute of Psychotherapy (intermediate exam) 2014 Two semester study abroad at Melbourne University, Australia 2011–2016 Psychology studies: Bachelor of Science (1.5, very good) and Master of Science (1.1, very good) at Heidelberg University Memberships & Associations
- Society of Psychotherapy Research (SPR)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychoanalyse, Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Tiefenpsychologie (DGPT e. V.)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie e. V. (DGPs)
- Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD) Task Force
Current Projects
- SPECT Study: Strengthening Personal Competences in Psychotherapy Training (APA Division 29: Norine Johnson Psychotherapy Research Grant for Early Career Psychologists)
- CLIMAREG: Climate Emotion Regulation Study (SPR Small Research Grant)
- CLEAR-C: Climate Emotions, Attitudes, and Regulation in the Face of Crisis
- SEREKO: Experience of Personal Therapy in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training (Köhler Foundation Grant)
- COPIT: Contemplative Practices in Psychotherapy (Germany & Chile)
- TFI-T: Validation of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory for Therapists
- SIDE: Social Interaction in Depression
- PRIN:T: Self-regulatory capacities and intrapsychic conflicts as protective and risk factors for mental health – transgenerational dynamics
Publications and Conference Contributions
Publications
Zhuniq, M., Winter, F., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2025). Compassion for others and well-being: A meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 36478. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23460-7
Cropp, C., Westermann, S., Aguilar-Raab, C., Töpfer, N. F., Winter, F., Henkel, M., & Zimmermann, J. (2025). Interpersonal Dynamics. Zeitschrift Für Klinische Psychologie Und Psychotherapie, 54(3), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443/a000819
Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Deutschsprachige Fragebogeninventare im Kontext Paar- und Familiendiagnostik (2025). In Reich, G., Stasch, M., Walter, J., Cierpka, M. (Hrsg.). Handbuch der Familiendiagnostik (4. Aufl.). Springer
Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Warth, M., Stoffel, M., Moessner, M., Hernández, C., Pace, T.W.W, Harrison, T., Tenzin Negi, L., Jarczok, M.N., Ditzen, B. (2023). A compassion-based treatment for couples with the female partner suffering from current depressive disorder: A randomized-controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 127–138. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.136
Ditzen, B., Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Hernández, C., Schneider, E., Bodenmann, G., Heinrichs, M., Ehlert, U., Läuchli, S. (2023). Effects of intranasal oxytocin and positive couple interaction on immune factors in skin wounds. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 107, 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2022.08.011
Winter, F., Mander, J., Jarczok, M.N., Warth, M., Ditzen, B., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2022). Change Mechanism of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training for Couples with Depression: An Exploratory Empirical Investigation of Process Variables. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 28(7), 591–599. http://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2022.0497
Winter, F., Jarczok, M. N., Warth, M., Hembd-Peuse, S., Ditzen, B., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2022). A new way to measure partner burden in depression: Construction, validation and sensitivity to change of the partner burden in depression questionnaire. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 1111–1127. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12584
Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Jarczok, M. N., Ditzen, B., & Warth, M. (2022). Feeling low and unhappy together? An actor-partner-interdependence model uncovering the linkage between different operationalizations of relationship quality and depression in different-sex couples. PLoS ONE, 17(11).
Aguilar-Raab, C., & Winter, F. (2021). Die soziale Dimension der Depression: Wenn auch die Beziehungen leiden. PiD – Psychotherapie Im Dialog, 22(3), 64–69. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1215-1974
Winter, F., Aguilar-Raab, C., Blanck, P., Schaller, G., Vogel, E., & Mander, J. (2020). Wirkfaktoren in der Gruppentherapie: Fragebogen zur Messung der therapeutischen Perspektive. PPmP – Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie. 70(6), 229–236. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1012- 2078
Warth, M., Stoffel, M., Winter, F., Jarczok, M. N., Aguilar-Raab, C., & Ditzen, B. (2020). Instructed partnership appreciation in depression: Effects on mood, momentary relationship satisfaction, and psychobiological arousal. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00701
Conference Contributions
Winter, F., Herzig, J., Benecke, C., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2026). Change of Therapist Characteristics During Personal Therapy: An Exploration of Subjective Experiences of Candidates. [Conference presentation]. SPR, Osaka, Japan.
Aguilar-Raab, C., Vogeser, C., Benecke, C. & Winter, F. (2026). Ethical Challenges as Catalysts for Competence Development in Psychodynamic Training Therapy– a qualitative content analysis. [Conference presentation]. SPR, Osaka, Japan.
Winter, F., Prym, C.L., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2026). Defense Mechanism Maturity as a Moderator of Heart Rate Variability Responses to Induced Anxiety in the Context of Climate Change. Conference presentation]. SPR, Osaka, Japan.
Winter, F., Herzig., J., Benecke, C. & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2025). How Do Candidates Experience Personal Therapy? An Exploration of Interventions, Context Factors and Therapist Variables. [Conference presentation]. SPR, Krakow, Poland.
Winter, F., Herzig., J., Benecke, C. & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2024). Self-Experience in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training –Factors for Personal Growth. [Online conference presentation]. SPR, Ottawa, Canada.
Winter, F., Herzig., J., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2024). Mechanisms of a Cognitively-Based Compassion Training for Couples with Depression – the Effects of Value Clarification and Mood over Time. [Online conference presentation]. SPR, Ottawa, Canada.
Aguilar-Raab, C. & Winter, F. (2024). Die diagnostische und therapeutische Arbeit unter Berücksichtigung des sozialen Kontextes: Theoretische und praktische Überlegungen zur Arbeit im Mehrpersonensetting. [conference workshop]. PTK, Berlin, Germany.
Winter, F., Herzig., J., Benecke, C. & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2024). Der Prozess der Selbsterfahrung und Zusammenhang zu Selbstmitgefühl unter angehenden Therapeut:innen – erste Ergebnisseder SEREKO Studie [conference presentation]. PTK, Berlin, Germany.
Medeiros,S., Winter, F., Crempien, C., Hernandez, C., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2024). Kontemplative Praktiken von Psychotherapeut:innen in Chile und Deutschland. [conference presentation]. PTK, Berlin, Germany.
Winter, F. & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2023). Is a Mindful Therapist more Satisfied and Resilient? Self-Care Practices of Psychotherapists and Associations with Therapists Psychological Functioning. [conference presentation]. SPR, Dublin, Ireland
Aguilar-Raab, C. & Winter, F. (2023). Systematic Investigation of the Implementation of Mindfulness- and Compassion-Infused Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Germany. [conference presentation]. SPR, Dublin, Ireland
Aguilar-Raab, C. & Winter, F. (2023). Achtsamkeit und (Selbst-)Mitgefühl in der Psychotherapie: Vom therapeutischen Handwerkszeug bis zur Selbstfürsorge von Psychotherapeut:innen. [conference presentation]. PTK, Berlin, Deutschland
Winter, F., Medeiros, S., Aguilar-Raab, C. (2022). Contemplative Practices in Psychotherapy: Opportunities and Limitations of Their Application as Self-Care for Therapists and as Therapeutic Interventions in Different Therapy. [online conference presentation]. SPR Denver, USA
Winter, F., Aguilar-Raab, C., Ditzen, B., (2020). Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Interventions for Depression. [conference presentation]. MIDAP Summer School, Santiago, Chile
Winter, F., Evers, O., Chen, S. (2021). From Individual to Societal Change: Discussing the Response of Psychotherapy Research and SPR to Climate Change. A Structured Discussion [online conference presentation]. SPR, Heidelberg, Deutschland
Winter, F., Warth, M., Jarczok, M.N., Ditzen, B., Aguilar-Raab, C.(2021). The Moderating Effect of Empathy on the Effects of a Compassion-Based Group Intervention for Couples With Depression. [online conference presentation]. SPR, Heidelberg, Deutschland
Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Ditzen, B., (2021). Actor and Partner Associations Between Compassionate Love and Depression: A Compassion-Based Intervention. [online conference presentation]. SPR, Heidelberg, Deutschland
Aguilar-Raab, C., Winter, F., Ditzen, B. (2019). Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Approaches in Couple Interventions: A Review of the Current Literature. [conference presentation]. SPR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aguilar-Raab, C., Warth, M., Winter, F., Ditzen, B., (2019). Does a compassion-based multi-couple intervention in depression increases quality of relationship and partner burden? [conference presentation]. SPR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Winter, F., Warth, M., Jarczok, M.N., Ditzen, B., Aguilar-Raab, C.(2019). Mechanisms of a compassion-based group- intervention for depressed couples: Session-based changes over time do really matter. [Conference presentation]. SPR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Winter, F., Warth, M., Jarczok, M.N., Negi, T., Harrison, T., Aguilar-Raab, C. (2018). Mechanisms of CBCT® for Depressed Couples: Do Session-Based Changes over Time really Matter? [conference presentation]. ISCR, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Winter, F., Aguilar-Raab, C., Vogel, E., Schaller, G., Blanck, P., Bents, H., Mander, J. (2018). Change Mechanisms in Group Therapy: Development and Validation of a Questionnaire for Therapists. [conference presentation]. SPR, Amsterdam, Netherlands.