معرفی
Astrid Sonntag serves as Professor of Psychology with a focus on Social and Health Psychology at the Faculty of Architecture and Social Sciences, HTWK Leipzig since 2014. Her academic work bridges psychological research with practical healthcare applications, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations and health system integration in the Leipzig region. She maintains strong collaborative relationships with local healthcare institutions including the University of Leipzig's medical facilities.
Education:
- Graduate psychologist (University of Leipzig)
- Systemic therapist and consultant (SG)
- Systemic Supervisor and Coach (SG)
- Pediatric Palliative Care specialist
- Clinical Hypnosis according to Milton H. Erickson (MEG)
- Client-centered psychotherapy (GwG)
Professor Sonntag's research focuses on three interconnected domains: health services research and evaluation methodologies; gerontopsychology with specialized expertise in dementia care; and palliative care systems including hospice work for both adults and children. Her work examines how healthcare systems can be optimized to serve vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals requiring long-term care and those needing end-of-life support. She investigates cultural factors in caregiving and develops approaches for more responsive healthcare coordination.
Her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from clinical research to health systems analysis. Early work focused on psychotherapy training, medication practices in nursing homes, and medically unexplained symptoms. More recent publications emphasize municipal health coordination, urban health planning, and culturally sensitive approaches to dementia care. This evolution demonstrates her shift from individual clinical concerns to systemic healthcare integration, with particular attention to how urban environments shape health outcomes.
Professor Sonntag has secured significant research funding from organizations including the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), AOK health insurance, and the City of Leipzig. Her projects include 'Living with Dementia in Leipzig,' 'Establishment of a health coordination office in Leipzig,' and 'PAuSE - Training family caregivers of people with dementia.' These initiatives demonstrate her commitment to translating research into practical community health improvements, particularly through interdisciplinary collaboration between academic, healthcare, and municipal partners.
She coordinates the Outpatient Children's Hospice Service Bärenherz Leipzig and maintains research affiliations with the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and the Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology at the University of Leipzig. Her work exemplifies the Faculty of Architecture and Social Sciences' interdisciplinary approach, connecting psychological expertise with urban social challenges.
