Institut für Psychologie der Universität Jena

Department of Clinical Psychology

Welcome to the Department of Clinical Psychology.
Institut für Psychologie der Universität Jena
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

At the Department of Clinical Psychology, we investigate the causes and treatment options of psychiatric disorders. We try to answer the questions of how anxiety and pain develop and accrue in the body, why psychological discomfort manifest itself in the gastrointestinal tract, and why we feel abandoned after traumatizing events. Furthermore, we investigate the positive aspects of social interactions. This involves, for instance, the sweet odor of our babies, or hugging our friends and partners. Those stimuli are being processed in the reward system of the brain and ultimately ensures that we like to spend time with our loved ones and that we like to experience closeness.

Besides our research topics, diagnostics and treatment of psychiatric disorders are important areas at our department.

Moreover, we are heavily involved in student teaching. Whether it is bachelor or master level teaching, online, or offline, we seek to share our knowledge and like to keep challenging debates.

You are welcome to explore our websites. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us in case you have any questions.

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For more information see here.

  1. Event tip: Depression Day on November 11, 2025

    What does depression feel like—and what helps to combat it? Under the motto “New Perspectives,” Friedrich Schiller University Jena is hosting an open information day on depression on November 11, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m.

    Depressionstag 2025
    Image: Vanessa Nöring
  2. Congratulations on your doctorate

    Antonie Bierling defended her doctoral thesis on the topic “From Molecule to Social Interaction - Development of a Chemical Perceptual Space of Olfactory Perception” with summa cum laude. We are all happy for her.

    Antonie Bierling
    Image: Privat
  3. Everything about touch

    This book takes us deep into the world of the sense of touch and explains how closely touch is linked to our brain, our behavior, and our health.

    Book cover "Touch Me" Ilona Croy
    Image: Komplett Media
  4. Featured by American Scientist

    Our recently published databases on odor perception have been received internationally, for example in an article in American Scientist.

    Geruchswissenschaft
    Image: Jena Meyer
  5. Touching research in Jena

    We had a lot of fun and put our hearts and souls into organizing the international conference of the Association for the Study of Affective Touch in Jena, which was attended by over a hundred participants from four continents. Many thanks to all the helpers, speakers, and guests. It was a pleasure to welcome you all.

    IASAT 2025
    Image: Prof. Ilona Croy
  6. Everything about smelling

    We are conducting research in various projects on the human sense of smell and how smell shapes our relationships.

    Girl smells flower
    Image: Pixabay
All short news

Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie

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You can reach us by telephone or e-mail using the contact details of the respective employees given above.