Frank Jacobi

Professor Frank Jacobi holds the Professorship for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (Focus on Behavioral Therapy) at the Berlin School of Psychology (PHB). He serves as Vice-Rector of the institution and leads the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. His academic career has been dedicated to bridging clinical practice with research, particularly in understanding mental disorders and improving psychotherapeutic care.

Prof. Jacobi's research centers on health services research, specifically the epidemiology and disease burden of mental disorders, healthcare structures, and treatment needs. He also conducts significant work in psychotherapy research, examining concepts, differential indications, evaluation methods, and quality assurance, including cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses of psychotherapy. His work often addresses the intersection between mental and physical health, particularly regarding somatic comorbidity in severe mental illness.

His most recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward integrating technology with traditional psychotherapy, addressing the healthcare needs of severely mentally ill populations, and analyzing trends in mental disorder prevalence. The articles reflect his dual focus on clinical practice and population-level health services research, with increasing attention to digital solutions and integrated care models.

• Best Paper Award der DGPPN 2015 for highly cited work on mental disorders in the German adult population

Prof. Jacobi actively supervises Master's theses for PHB students in both Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy programs. He also supports academic projects, publications, and doctoral theses by psychotherapists in training. His research group regularly meets to discuss ongoing projects, including the DEGS1-MH study, PSY-KOMO project, and pandemic-related psychological challenges. The PHB, under his leadership, has developed innovative degree programs that combine psychotherapy training with academic focus to strengthen scientifically based psychotherapy.

His laboratory and research teams focus on several key areas: the epidemiology of mental disorders in the general population, healthcare research for severe mental illness (particularly regarding somatic comorbidity), and the psychological impact of societal challenges like the pandemic. The PSY-KOMO project represents a significant interdisciplinary effort to improve physical healthcare for people with severe mental illness through health companionship services.