Management
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Julia Schwarzenberg
(Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist)
Mag. Dr. Petra Sackl-Pammer
(Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Teaching Therapist (Behavioral Therapy))
Our outpatient clinic supports children and adolescents (from age 6) with a range of stress-related and trauma-associated disorders, offering specialist medical care as well as various psychotherapeutic treatment interventions. Our aim is to support affected children and adolescents, ease trauma-related symptoms, and strengthen their resilience in a lasting way. Our interventions are scientifically monitored in order to better understand the biological basis of these conditions and to continuously optimize the treatment setting for the patients entrusted to our care. In this context, we work as a multi-professional team and follow a biopsychosocial approach: we consider the interplay of biological factors (e.g. stress processing), psychological resources (e.g. emotion regulation), and social conditions (e.g. family support).
A psychological trauma describes the reaction to an extremely distressing or threatening experience which severely impairs the sense of control, safety, and self-efficacy. Such events can occur as a single incident (e.g. an accident, an experience of violence) or repeatedly (e.g. neglect, domestic violence). Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, since their brains and psychological stability are still developing. Trauma symptoms can take many forms:
- emotional hyperarousal (e.g. being easily startled, irritability)
- intrusive memories or flashbacks
- avoidance of trauma-associated triggers
- social withdrawal and sleep disturbances
- concentration problems or physical complaints with no medical cause
- in younger children: play involving trauma-related content, or regressive behavior (e.g. bedwetting)
Possible trauma-related disorders include, among others, (complex) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorders, acute stress reaction, and comorbid conditions such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, or other behavioral problems. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents is one of the more common mental health conditions and is often associated with considerable impairment in quality of life. Biological and psychosocial risk factors are increasingly being identified as important predictors of the onset, severity, and chronification of symptoms. The goal of our scientific work is to further develop clinical care for patients with PTSD by integrating modern biomarker research, in order to enable personalized treatment decisions and improved long-term treatment outcomes.
Information on the Treatment Setting
Information on the Treatment Setting
- Initial contact by phone (tel: +43 (0) 1 40 400 30391) or by e-mail (e-mail: trustambulanz@meduniwien.ac.at)
- Initial consultation and information about accompanying scientific studies
- Clinical-psychological assessment
- Assignment to the appropriate psychotherapeutic program
- Medical care (if needed), combined with psychotherapeutic treatment
Monitoring the course and effectiveness of psychotherapeutic and medical interventions
BEAR–The Building Empowerment and Resilience Therapeutic Program for Women With a History of Trauma
A program for girls and young women aged 14 to 18
The BEAR project is an empowerment program for female adolescents aged 14 to 18 who have experienced interpersonal violence. The program was developed by Prof. Jennifer Keller, PhD, at Stanford University. It strengthens self-determination, self-confidence, and resilience through a combination of psychological exercises and physical self-defense training.
Participants learn to set boundaries, deal with difficult emotions, and protect themselves in dangerous situations. Topics such as trauma, relationships, communication, and mindfulness are addressed alongside practical self-defense techniques.
Funding: Rotaract Wien-Hofburg-St. Stephan
TRUSTY
A program for children and adolescents aged 6 to 12
This project is aimed at younger children and adolescents aged 6–12. They receive regular psychotherapeutic care, and corresponding parent and family interventions are also offered.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), developed by Judith A. Cohen, is an evidence-based treatment method for children and adolescents with traumatic experiences. It initially focuses on stabilizing and strengthening patients, followed by therapeutic processing of distressing experiences using a trauma narrative, in order to support emotional coping. Treatment usually comprises 15–25 therapy sessions and has been shown to improve self-esteem, self-efficacy, and quality of life for the children, adolescents, and families concerned.
In addition to TF-CBT, the project also offers Cue-Centered Therapy, a trauma-focused intervention developed by Prof. Victor Carrión at Stanford University. This intervention is aimed at traumatized children and adolescents and focuses on dealing with triggers and maladaptive trauma reactions. Unlike TF-CBT, this form of therapy works with the affected individual alone and does not require the presence of a primary caregiver.
Funding, scientific studies, and research questions: FWF Cluster of Excellence – Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease
CISS - Cue-Centered Therapy Informed Single Session Intervention
A program for female adolescents following an experience of sexual assault
This intervention is aimed at female adolescents after experiencing sexualized violence and focuses on early psychotherapeutic intervention. The focus is on participation and empowerment, as well as providing psychoeducation and helpful coping strategies, in order to strengthen motivation for further therapy.
The scientific research question examines how the early application of a Cue-Centered-Therapy-informed single-session intervention affects the development of post-traumatic symptoms, compared with a delayed intervention. It also analyzes to what extent the effects of the intervention persist over time. Furthermore, perceived support systems at the hospital are evaluated in order to identify possible ways to improve clinical care.
Funding, scientific studies, and research questions: CCP Starter Grant, winning project 2024, Dr. Tamara Reiner, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, AKH Wien (Vienna General Hospital)
Cooperations
- MMag.a Dr.in Kathrin Kollndorfer – Developmental and Interventional Neuroimaging Lab (DINLAB), Medical University of Vienna
- FWF Cluster of Excellence – Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease; Tibor Harkany, Director of Research, Medical University of Vienna
- Prof. Victor G. Carrión, MD – Stanford University School of Medicine
- Dr. Jennifer Keller, PhD (Faculty) – Stanford University School of Medicine
- Laura Schaller BSc MSc, Marie Matyas BSc MSc, Mag. Sophie Klomfar – Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna
TRUST outpatient clinic team, based at the General Outpatient Clinic; Univ.-Prof. Dr. Paul Plener, MHBA, Ass. Prof. Dr. Christine Vesely
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Julia Schwarzenberg
Senior Consultant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
E-mail: julia.schwarzenberg@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Medical treatment, research-related supervision, psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT, CCT – under supervision)
Mag. Dr. Petra Sackl-Pammer
Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist (Behavioral Therapy), Child, Adolescent and Family Psychologist, Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Teaching Therapist (Behavioral Therapy)
E-mail: petra-maria.sackl-pammer@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Clinical-psychological assessment, counseling and treatment, psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT, CCT), supervision, research supervision (TF-CBT, CCT)
Lisa Kastberger, MSc, MSc
Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist (Behavioral Therapy)
E-mail: lisa.kastberger@akhwien.at
Areas of responsibility: Clinical-psychological assessment, counseling and treatment, psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT, CCT, BEAR)
Darlene Alicia Hörle, MSc
Clinical Psychologist in training, PhD student (FWF Cluster of Excellence: Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease)
E-mail: darlene.hoerle@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Clinical-psychological assessment, counseling and treatment (under supervision), psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT, CCT – under supervision), research collaboration: TRUST outpatient clinic, Developmental and Interventional Neuroimaging Lab (DINLAB)
Research focus: Neurobiological markers of post-traumatic stress disorder
Dr. med. Tamara Reiner, MA
Senior Physician, Specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
E-mail: tamara.reiner@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT, EMDR, CCT – under supervision), research collaboration (TF-CBT, CCT), project leadership for CISS
Dr. med. Helene Krauss
Resident Physician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
E-mail: helene.krauss@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT – under supervision)
Dr. med. Agnes Abrahamowicz
Resident Physician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
E-mail: agnes.abrahamowicz@meduniwien.ac.at
Areas of responsibility: Psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT – under supervision), research collaboration
Nadine Pointner, MSc
Clinical Psychologist in training, Doctoral candidate
Areas of responsibility: Clinical-psychological assessment, counseling and treatment, psychotherapy for children and adolescents (TF-CBT – under supervision), research collaboration
Katrin Neubacher, MSc
Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist (USA)
Areas of responsibility: Psychotherapy for children and adolescents (CCT, BEAR)
Cand. Med. Theresa Zax
Medical student, thesis candidate
Areas of responsibility: Assistance with psychological assessment (children and adolescents aged 6 and up), research collaboration (BEAR)
Lukas Steinkämper, BSc
Lukas Steinkämper, BSc - Psychology student, Research Assistant
Associated or Former Staff Members
- Eva Gasteiger, BSc
Psychology student, Research Assistant (CISS)
Master’s Theses, Diploma Theses & PhD Theses
- Darlene Alicia Hörle, MSc
GABAergic Remodeling in Children with PTSD: Cognitive and Therapeutic Implications for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PhD Thesis) - Cand. med. Theresa Zax
Metabolomics in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Diploma Thesis) - Eva Gasteiger, BSc
Intervention through Psychoeducation and Empowerment: an Interdisciplinary Approach to Addressing the Needs of Adolescent Victims of Sexual Violence on a Single Session (Master's Thesis) - Lisa Kastberger, MSc, MSc
BEAR - Building Empowerment and Resilience - Therapeutic Group for Female Adolescent Victims of Interpersonal Violence: A Pilot Study (Master's Thesis)
Appointments & Contact
Phone (general outpatient clinic): +43 (0) 1 40 400 30151
If you are interested in participating in the group program (BEAR) or in individual therapy as part of TRUSTY, please feel free to contact us via:
Tel: +43 (0) 1 40 400 30391
E-mail: trustambulanz@meduniwien.ac.at