Georg W. Alpers

Prof. Dr. Georg W. Alpers is Professor and Chair of Clinical and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Mannheim's Faculty of Social Sciences. He leads a research team investigating emotions in mental illness, physiological correlates, and psychotherapeutic interventions using biopsychological, neuroscientific, and social science methodologies. The department maintains strong ties with the Otto Selz Institute's Psychological Outpatient Clinic, integrating research, teaching, and clinical practice.

Research focuses on:

• Emotional processing in anxiety disorders and PTSD
• fNIRS-based measurement of brain activity during multisensory stimulation
• Clinical applications for phobia-related stimuli and altered states of consciousness
• Effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies in naturalistic settings

Recent publication trends emphasize trauma treatment efficacy, cognitive-behavioral therapy outcomes across age groups, shared decision-making dynamics in healthcare, and neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD/DCD).

The department operates a specialized fNIRS laboratory funded by the German Research Foundation, enabling non-invasive brain activity measurement during emotional tasks. International collaborations expand research on fear processing and psychotherapy innovation.