Dr. Sophie Schweizer-Schubert

Professional background

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been very curious about the biological and psychosocial processes that occur in people. Simply said, I want to understand how hormones affect us, how our behavior affects our hormones, what dealing with various types of people does to us, how our behavior affects other people and their hormone level and how all of these things are connected.
My curiosity for all of this is perhaps reflected in my career. After completing my studies in economics with the specialty economic psychology (MA), philosophy with the specialty neurophilosophy (MA), psychology (BA) and clinical neuropsychology (MSc) at the Universities of London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rotterdam and Milan, I took with me the most interesting insights from all these fields of study on my search to find answers to the many questions I had regarding the links between neuronal, hormonal and psychosocial processes in people.
After obtaining my Ph.D. in the Netherlands, I primarily focused my field of research on psychoendocrinology, especially stress hormones in combination with sex hormones. Important highlights of my career include a 10-year position as a Assistant Professor in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Amsterdam, four years as a visiting professor at Heidelberg University’s Institute of Psychology, and another five years at Heidelberg University’s Medical Faculty at both the Institute for Medical Psychology and at the Women’s Hospital. I have headed international and interdisciplinary research teams. I combined my scientific career with continuing education for practical work with patients, primarily through advanced training to become a licensed psychological psychotherapist in clinical behavioral therapy (including expertise in relaxation methods and group therapy) as well as a systemic couples and sex therapist. But my years spent working in psychiatric hospitals and practices also shaped the practical implementation of my knowledge.
Over the years it became increasingly important to me to put my expertise as a scientist into practice for my patients. I continue to enjoy sharing my knowledge both internationally and in my home country of Germany, be it with students, colleagues at congresses or educational events, or even in radio and television. For example, I teach courses in psychoneuroendocrinology and medical psychology to medical students at Heidelberg University as well as to physicians in medical specialist training, and also for health care professionals in sexual medicine at the Institute for Sexual Research. But first and foremost, you – or you and your partner as a couple – should benefit from choosing me as your therapist. It is my goal to help you achieve well-being within yourself and with your fellow human beings (like your partner) and once again experience joy in your life.

Memberships in associations and specialist societies:

  • International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology (ISPNE)
  • German Psychological Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie, DGP), Specialist Group for Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology; Specialist Group for Clinical Psychology
  • Society of Medical Psychology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Psychologie, DGMP)
  • German Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychosomatische Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, DGPFG)
  • Member of the State Chamber of Psychotherapists, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Perinatal Psychiatry Genetics Consortium: Postpartum Depression: Action Towards Causes and Treatment (PACT)

Personal

I am married. My husband is a violinist in an orchestra. We not only share a love of music but also a love for people, especially love for our four children, our extended families, our friends and each other. Then there is our passion for nature, art, culture, good food, relaxation, peace, harmony, a good sense of humor and caring relationships.

Curriculum Vitae

Positions
  • Since 2020 Founder, owner and operator of the Psychoendocrinology and Psychotherapy Practice (Praxis für Psychoendokrinologie und Psychotherapie), Heilbronn, Germany
    Lifelong doctor number: 0589131, doctor register of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Baden-Württemberg, Registry Stuttgart, Germany
  • Since 2020 Lecturer at the Institute for Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital
  • 2015-2019 Researcher and lecturer at Heidelberg University Hospital, mainly at the Institute for Medical Psychology, carrying out research in gynecological psychoneuroendocinology and teaching activities in gynecological psychoneuroendocinology for physicians and medical psychology
  • 2011-2015 Visiting professor at Heidelberg University’s Institute of Psychology, general and theoretical psychology
  • 2005-2015 Assistant professor at the Free University of Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, carrying out research in clinical neuroscience and teaching activities in medical neuroscience for psychologists and physicians and cognitive neuropsychology for psychologists
  • 2014-2021 Psychotherapy work at the Klinikum am Weissenhof Hospital, Weinsberg, and at the practice of Prof. Dr. Fritz Reimer and Dr. Marlis Reimer, Weinsberg
Qualifications
  • Advanced training: Licensed psychological psychotherapist in clinical behavioral therapy (Institute for Clinical Behavioral Therapy (IVT)-Kurpfalz, Mannheim, Germany)
  • Advanced training: Systemic sex therapist at the International Society for Systemic Therapy (Internationale Gesellschaft für systemische Therapie, IGST, Heidelberg, Germany) (2018-2020)
  • Studies in psychology with a specialization in clinical neuropsychology (M.Sc. 2008) at the University of Amsterdam and the Free University of Amsterdam
  • Ph.D. in Psychology of Creativity at the University of Rotterdam (2004) Members of the dissertation committee: Prof. R. Cloninger, Prof. D. van Knippenberg, Dr. J.B. Deijen.
  • Studies in philosophy with the specialty neurophilosophy (M.A.), Economics (with the specialty economic psychology and languages) (M.A.) at the Universities of London, Milan, Madrid, Amsterdam and Rotterdam