Interview with Prof Dr Tina In-Albon, Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy of Childhood and Adolescence

‘Why did you decide in favour of the University of Mannheim?’

On the one hand, the attractiveness of the University of Mannheim itself led me to accept the offer. I was particularly impressed by the various cooperation opportunities in Mannheim and its proximity to Heidelberg. On the other hand, personal reasons also played a role for me: Mannheim has a direct connection to Basel.

‘What is your research focus?’

My research focuses mainly on emotional disorders in childhood and adolescence. I am particularly interested in anxiety disorders. I concentrate on the areas of diagnostics, therapy and prevention. Another focus is self-harming behaviour in children and adolescents, especially non-suicidal, self-harming behaviour and the transition to suicidal behaviour and experiences. An overarching topic in my research is emotion regulation, which also plays a role in diagnostics, prevention and psychotherapy.

‘What is your research focus?’

My research focuses mainly on emotional disorders in childhood and adolescence. I am particularly interested in anxiety disorders. I concentrate on the areas of diagnostics, therapy and prevention. Another focus is self-harming behaviour in children and adolescents, especially non-suicidal, self-harming behaviour and the transition to suicidal behaviour and experiences. An overarching topic in my research is emotion regulation, which also plays a role in diagnostics, prevention and psychotherapy.

‘Did you study psychology at undergraduate level?’

I studied psychology, but the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes didn't exist back then. In Switzerland at the time, there was no diploma either, but what is known as a licentiate. This took a little longer than the diploma. I studied a little longer because of additional internships. You could choose certain specialisations. With clinical psychology as your main subject, you had general psychology and a combined medical subject as minor subjects.

‘What is the biggest difference so far between the University of Mannheim and your previous job?’

I previously spent 11 years at the Rhineland-Palatinate University of Technology (RPUT) in Landau (before 2023 it was the University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau campus). When it comes to differences, I've mainly noticed similarities – lots of administration, lots of forms. But that's also quite normal when you start at a new university. The differences will certainly become apparent. What is certain is that Landau is definitely smaller and I still have to find my way around Mannheim despite the squares.

The position itself has the same denomination as in Landau. The professorship has the same specialisation: clinical psychology and psychotherapy of childhood and adolescence. At the new Institute for Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents, which I head, I am in the process of setting up a psychotherapeutic university outpatient clinic for children and adolescents. At the moment we are still based in L5.4, but this is only a temporary solution. The chair and the outpatient clinic will hopefully soon move into the white building on Willy-Brandt-Platz, right next to the railway station. The establishment of a training centre for specialist psychotherapists for children and adolescents, behavioural therapy, is a major concern of mine for the future.

‘Who is your favourite singer or band?’

Oh, I really like Coldplay, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Adele.

‘Which famous person would you like to have lunch with in the canteen?’

That's a good question. At first I thought that if I named Adele now, I'd have named her twice. But it would actually be really cool to eat with her. I think she's incredibly funny, down-to-earth and emotional. So I would say maybe Adele. I also briefly thought about Roger Federer, who I could probably meet in Basel. But I'm sticking with Adele because she's simply very authentic and humorous. I was able to attend one of her concerts in Munich and it was just great. The stage and the huge screen – it was really impressive, I've never seen anything like it before. It was simply a wonderful experience, with everything from funny moments to goosebumps.