About
Dr. Friederike Rüter serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Practical Theology and Religious Education at the University of Münster, where she has been teaching since 2009. Her academic work focuses on practical theology with special emphasis on pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual support in various institutional settings.
Her educational background includes:
- 1979-1987: Studies in Evangelical Theology at universities in Münster, Tübingen, and Basel
- 2004-2009: Part-time doctoral studies at the University of Münster
- 2008: Doctorate in theology with an empirical study on "Late Grief: A Study on Pastoral Care for the Bereaved"
- 2017: Contact studies in Basel (Evangelical Theology, Gender Studies, Art History)
Dr. Rüter's research interests center on pastoral care theory and psychology, with particular focus on spiritual care in healthcare, psychiatry, and forensics. She has developed expertise in supervision, counseling, and coaching methodologies within religious contexts. Her work bridges theological theory with practical application in challenging institutional environments where spiritual support is needed, demonstrating consistent scholarly attention to grief processes, pastoral interventions, and the integration of psychological insights into theological practice.
Her professional memberships include:
- Since 2016: German Society for Pastoral Psychology (DGfP)
- Since 2011: German Society for Supervision and Coaching (DGSv)
- Since 2020 and 2012-2014: Theological Examination Office of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia
Dr. Rüter has held significant roles beyond academia, including serving as Head of the Pastoral Care Department at the IAFW of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia (2014-2020), Theological Advisor for Pastoral Care (2011-2014), and various pastoral positions in hospital chaplaincy and psychiatric institutions since 1989. Her extensive practical experience informs her academic teaching and research, creating a valuable bridge between theoretical theological frameworks and real-world pastoral challenges across healthcare, psychiatric, and forensic settings.
