Eric Pfeifer

Prof. Dr. Eric Pfeifer is a Professor of Aesthetics and Communication with an emphasis on music at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg (since 2014). He holds a habilitation in psychotherapy science from the Sigmund Freud University Vienna and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Augsburg. As a state-approved psychotherapist in Germany and Austria, he integrates existential analysis, logotherapy, and systemic approaches into his clinical practice. His research focuses on music therapy, nature-based interventions in psychotherapy, silence in therapeutic contexts, and the interplay between meaning in life and environmental connectedness. He leads collaborative studies on 'Walk and Talk Psychotherapy in Nature' (registered with WHO/DRKS) and explores time perception, hypnomusicotherapy, and eco-anxiety. He serves on the scientific advisory board of the German Society for Logotherapy and is a visiting scientist at the University Medical Center Freiburg.

Education:

• Habilitation (venia docendi), Sigmund Freud University Vienna (Psychotherapy Science)
• Doctorate (Dr. phil.), University of Augsburg
• Master of Arts in Music Therapy, University of Augsburg
• Teacher Training (BEd., Dipl.-Paed.), University College of Teacher Education Vorarlberg

Research Interests: Eric Pfeifer’s work bridges music therapy, existential philosophy, and environmental psychology. Key areas include:

• Nature-based psychotherapeutic methods (e.g., forest therapy)
• Meaning-oriented therapies (logotherapy, existential analysis)
• Role of silence and time perception in healing
• Psychosocial impacts of climate change
• Integration of systemic family therapy principles

Collaborations: Active partnerships with institutions like the University Medical Center Freiburg (psychosomatic medicine), Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology, and IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems. Coordinates studies on nature exposure, silence, and mindfulness.

Awards:

• 2000: Composition Prize ('Music active – Music live'), Austrian Ministry for Education

Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral candidates at the Sigmund Freud University and collaborates on EU-funded projects. Leads the 'Walk and Talk' clinical trial and studies on eco-anxiety mitigation. Has advised over 300 therapists in training through ABILE and other platforms.

Labs/Teams: Co-directs the Nature and Psychotherapy research cluster at Freiburg’s Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, and the Music Therapy and Silence initiative at KH Freiburg.