Today, we would like to introduce the medical head of the “Track Psychosis” – Prof Dr Rebekka Lencer – from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We interviewed Prof Dr Rebekka Lencer and asked her about her impressions of the work in psychiatry:
What made you decide to work at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy?
“The interest in the patient as a human being and his or her overall personality. In addition, the reflection of medical action and the doctor-patient relationship is an important, if not the most important, component of the activity as in no other medical discipline”.
What professional and personal characteristics do you think are essential for working in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy?
“The ability and skill to maintain calm and an overview in tense situations, and a genuine interest in getting to know people with possibly unusual perspectives and supporting them in achieving their goals”.
What would be a meaningful development in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (in Germany – not only in Lübeck) if you could make all the decisions?
“”All” is a big word. I think it is important to involve patients even more in the development of innovative therapy processes (including research questions) in order to counteract the stigmatisation of the discipline in this way. We should invite patients even more to find strategies for dealing with mental problems/conflicts together with us”.
What is the most exciting aspect about working in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy?
“Getting to know new people/personalities every day. As a neuroscientist, I am also fascinated by the complexity of the very different ways in which the brain functions (and their possible impairments). In addition, I see our subject at the intersection with many other disciplines outside of medicine from philosophy through physics to psychology, to name just a few. I always find it inspiring to be part of an interdisciplinary, ideally international network”.
What gives you energy at work and what exhausts you?
Gives energy: “Compensation through activities such as gardening”.
Exhausts: “Administrative activities like writing process descriptions that are longer than the process itself ;)”.
Many thanks to Prof Dr Rebekka Lencer for sharing this information with us! Who we will introduce next will be a surprise. If you don’t want to miss it, visit our website regularly!