Stig Bernt Poulsen

Stig Bernt Poulsen is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Copenhagen, where he has been employed since 1995. He currently serves as the coordinator of the Center for Psychotherapy Research and is the President Elect of the European section of the Society for Psychotherapy Research. His academic career at the University of Copenhagen has progressed from Research Assistant (1995-1999) to Assistant Professor (2000-2002), Associate Professor (2002-2020), and finally Professor (2020-present). He has extensive experience in clinical psychology research and practice, with a particular focus on psychotherapy effectiveness and process.

Dr. Poulsen earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Copenhagen in 2000 and his MSc in Psychology from the same institution in 1989. His early career included clinical work as a psychologist at the Copenhagen Student Counselling Centre (1990-1995) and a trainee position at the Adult Psychiatric Ward of Copenhagen University Hospital (1989-1990).

Professor Poulsen's primary research focuses on psychotherapy from multiple perspectives, with special emphasis on eating disorders (particularly bulimia nervosa), client experience of psychotherapy, practice-oriented research in psychotherapy, and psychological assessment. He has conducted numerous randomized controlled trials comparing different therapeutic approaches, most notably the Copenhagen Bulimia Trial which compared psychoanalytic psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa. His current research includes studies on feedback-informed therapy, rumination-focused CBT for depression, mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with borderline personality disorders, and psychotherapy in the Danish practice sector. He collaborates extensively with the Danish Regions and the Danish Psychological Association on studies of outcome and therapist responsiveness.

Analysis of Professor Poulsen's recent publication record reveals a strong focus on borderline personality disorder, particularly in adolescent populations, with numerous longitudinal studies examining treatment outcomes over 5-year periods. There is also significant attention to treatment personalization, with research exploring how client preferences, therapy activities, and their match influence outcomes. His work increasingly incorporates mentalization-based approaches and examines the role of therapeutic alliance and therapist factors in treatment success. The research spans multiple methodologies including randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, and psychometric validation studies.

Professor Poulsen has received major research grants including:

• 2008: Research grant from the Ivan Nielsen Foundation for Individuals with Particular Mental Disorders (DKK 105,000)
• 2002: Research grant with Susanne Lunn from the Egmont Foundation (DKK 1,000,000)
• 2002: Research grant with Susanne Lunn from the Danish Council for Independent Research | Humanities (DKK 2,138,000)

As an educator, Professor Poulsen coordinates teaching in clinical psychology at BA and KA levels, delivers lectures and seminars in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, and supervises Master's and PhD theses. He has been actively involved in administration and evaluation, serving as Coordinator of the Centre for Psychotherapy Research since 2013, evaluator of academic positions since 2004, and member of the Study Board at the Department of Psychology (2002-2006). His leadership extends to the international community as President Elect of the European Chapter of the Society for Psychotherapy Research.

Professor Poulsen is a key member of several research groups including the Center for Psychotherapy Research and The Copenhagen Bulimia Trial Group at the Department of Psychology, and he plays a leadership role in the European section of the Society for Psychotherapy Research. His work bridges academic research and clinical practice, with strong connections to the Danish mental health system through collaborations with the Danish Regions and the Danish Psychological Association.