• Dr. med. Sophie-Kathrin Kirchner (Leitung) 
• Alexander Lassner (M.Sc.)
• Martina Strasser (M.Sc.)
• Douglas Silva Leao

• Early detection and prevention of mental illnesses
• Promotion of treatment adherence and empowerment in young adulthood
• Genetics and phenomics of psychotic illness (especially: cannabis-induced psychoses)
• Use of digital health devices in the field of psychiatric early detection and intervention

CaP (Cannabis and Psychosis)
Within the framework of the specialized outpatient clinic for adolescents with cannabis use and psychotic experiences at the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at the University of Augsburg, funded by the Robert Vogel Foundation ( Robert-Vogel-Stiftung), we established a disorder-specific and interdisciplinary clinical service. The therapy offer consists of medical, psychotherapeutic and socio-pedagogical individual and group therapies, individually adaptable to the needs of the patients. A scientific company is necessary to evaluate this clinical offer such as its effectiveness and individual influence. The treatment concept is based on participatory decision-making and puts self-empowered and self-determined patients at the center.

CARE (Computer-assisted risk evaluation in the early detection of psychotic disorders)
The CARE project, led by the LVR Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and supported by the GBA Innovation Fund, aims to achieve an improved, efficient risk assessment of high-risk patients for the first time by means of an innovative prevention model, on the basis of which an individualized early treatment is provided. The risk of developing psychosis and/or functional impairment in the next twelve months is assessed with the help of algorithms that use artificial intelligence (AI) methods to process multimodal (clinical, test psychology, cMRI, etc.) data from the patients. Thereupon, risk-stratified, individualized, modular psychotherapy will be provided over six months. In a multicenter, randomized-controlled trial, patients with AI-graded diagnostics and risk-adapted treatment will be compared to a treatment as usual control group. Subsequently, the cost factors of the new form of care will be elaborated in a health economic evaluation. In case of success, the CARE project can develop risk-stratified and personalized diagnostics and therapies to prevent psychiatric illnesses or significantly mitigate the disease. Head of the clinical trial is Univ. Prof. Dr. EM Meisenzahl-Lechner, Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Heinrich Heine University.

EmpAThiE (Empowerment in youths with somoatoform disorders through mindfulness-based group therapy for parents)

The EmpAThiE study is a collaborative project of the Bavarian Child Pain Center of the University Hospital Augsburg and the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics of the University of Augsburg. At the Children's Pain Center, patients with primarily chronic pain disorders are treated. This study investigates whether a mindfulness-based group intervention for parents is superior to a support group by positively influencing the self-efficacy and disease course of affected children, as well as improving pain characteristics. The mindfulness-based intervention is a novel concept developed in collaboration with affected families and treatment providers in a focus group setting.