What We Do

The psychologic/psychotherapeutic teaching and research outpatient clinic ("PsyAmb") of the Institute of Psychology of the University of Graz is a specialized outpatient clinic without a public supply mandate. Psychodiagnostics and psychotherapy are only carried out in the context of specific research projects.

We research neurobiologic correlates of mental disorders of infants and adults, inter alia:

• specific phobias (of animal or blood/needle/injury type)
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• eating disorders (e.g. bing eating disorder)
• borderline personality disorder and
• neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Huntington's disease).

We are using neurobiological methods in our research activities including (functional) magnetic resonance imaging, near-infrared spectroscopy, electroencephalography, electromyography and electrocardiography.

Our research covers fundamentals as well as applied aspects, like reviewing and improving cognitive behavioural therapeutic interventions for instance.

Another research focus deals with the reflection of emotional experience in the human brain:
For instance, which brain regions are activated in case of experiencing disgust or recognizing an emotion of another person?

The PsyAmb is also a teaching outpatient clinic. We provide a series of special seminars for students. In addition the PsyAmb acts as a drop-in center for psychology students in crisis situations.

Last but not least the PsyAmb is used as a center for our public relations to inform community members about psychologic disorders.