2018 Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin
Master thesis: Menstrual cycle-related differences in oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2015 Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin
Bachelor thesis: Aus dem Nest – Auszug aus dem Elternhaus und Einsamkeit im jungen Erwachsenenalter

Career
Since November 2018: Doctoral student
Freie Universität Berlin - Department of Clinical Psychological Intervention
Doctoral thesis:The influence of the menstrual cycle on depressive symptoms and stress

2016 - 2018 Student Assistant
Freie Universität Berlin - Department of Clinical Psychological Intervention


2015 - 2018 Student Assistant
Freie Universität Berlin - Department of Psychological Diagnostics, Differential and Personality Psychology

Study abroad
September 2014 - December 2015
Semester abroad at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Scholarships
Since 2018 - Doctoral grant from the Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (German Business Foundation)

The research group “Biopsychological mechanisms of psychotherapeutic interventions” investigates the interactions between psychological and biological mechanisms during effective psychotherapeutic treatment.

We are especially interested in inspecting alterations in various biological systems, such as the HPA axis, the autonomic nervous system or the oxytocin system, as correlates of the development and maintenance of mental disorders, and in further investigating whether these alterations normalise in response to successful psychotherapeutic treatment. Additionally, we are interested if these alterations predict treatment response.

Therefore, we include markers of biological systems (e.g., cortisol, α-amylase, oxytocin) into psychotherapeutic treatment studies by using multi-methodological approaches (saliva-, blood- or hair-based markers). By the parallel investigation of various biological systems, we aim to pursue a multi-dimensional approach in our studies, allowing us to understand the interplay between these systems.

Another focus of our investigations are female sex-related specificities of mental health. For instance, we are addressing the influence of hormones, mood, and stress regulation in different menstrual cycle phases.

Next to empirical studies, we conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the above-mentioned topics.

Head: Dr. Sarah Schumacher

Doctoral students: M.Sc. Sinha Engel, M.Sc. Hannah Klusmann, M.Sc. Sebastian Laufer

Peer-reviewed Articles

Schumacher, S.*, Niemeyer, H.*, Engel, S., Cwik, J.C., Laufer, S., Klusmann, H. & Knaevelsrud, C. (2019). HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis focusing on potential moderators. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 100, 35-57.
*shared first autorship

Engel, S.*, Klusmann, H.*, Ditzen, B., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2019). Menstrual cycle-related fluctuations in oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology.
* shared first authorship