Dr. rer. nat. Rico Pohling
I am a Diploma Psychologist and licensed Psychological Psychotherapist. My work combines psychotherapeutic experience, careful diagnostics and a strong scientific foundation. My focus extends beyond individual symptoms to the whole person — their inner experience, biography, relational patterns and current conflicts. In my view, psychological difficulties rarely arise in isolation; they are often connected to earlier experiences, inner tensions, unresolved conflicts and stressful life circumstances.
My work is guided by a view of people that combines clinical precision with respect, openness and an appreciation of each person's potential. Alongside the psychodynamic tradition, my thinking has been shaped by humanistic and existential psychotherapists such as Erich Fromm, Viktor Frankl and Irvin D. Yalom. At the same time, resource-oriented and developmental perspectives — as articulated, for example, in the Positive Psychology of Martin Seligman and Jonathan Haidt — inform my approach. I am convinced that every person carries within them the potential for growth, change and inner peace. My work therefore addresses not only what gives rise to symptoms, but also what can foster inner stability, meaning, self-efficacy and personal growth.
Core therapeutic stance
I work with the commitment never to reduce people to their symptoms or diagnoses. I am interested not only in deficits and difficulties, but equally in strengths, potential and resources. A diagnosis can help to understand and contextualise difficulties; however, it should never become an identity. It is important to me to take suffering seriously, to work with diagnostic precision, and at the same time to keep open the possibility of development and change.
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
Contemplative perspectives
For many years I have engaged with contemplative practices and Buddhist psychology. This engagement complements psychodynamic, humanistic and resource-oriented perspectives with a deeper understanding of mindfulness, compassion, self-regulation and inner development. Contemplative approaches from Buddhist psychology have long found their way into various evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including mindfulness-based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). The work of Christopher Germer, Ronald Siegel and other authors in the field of mindfulness- and compassion-based psychotherapy has also enriched my professional thinking in this area.
"When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within."
Professional background
| 2004–2010 | Diploma studies in Psychology at TU Dresden with a focus on Clinical Psychology / Psychotherapy and Work & Organisational Psychology; diploma passed "with distinction" |
| 2010–2012 | Research associate at TU Dresden, Chair of Process-oriented Diagnostics; project lead in several industry projects on aptitude diagnostics (requirements analysis, personnel selection) |
| 2012–2017 | Doctoral dissertation (Dr. rer. nat.) at TU Dresden, later at TU Chemnitz. Topic: "Moral Sensitivity — The Basis for Perceiving Social Responsibility in Organisations". This research examined personality traits that influence moral reasoning and action and that also play a major role in psychotherapy: empathy, moral attentiveness, sensitivity to injustice, moral identity. From 2012–2014 scholarship holder of the Free State of Saxony ("Landesinnovationspromotion") |
| 2013–2020 | Licensure as Psychological Psychotherapist under the German Psychotherapists Act; initially at the Academy for General Psychotherapy (aap private GmbH), from 2016 at the renowned Dresden Institute for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (DIPP e.V.). During and shortly after training, clinical work in various hospitals and outpatient statutory health insurance care: University Hospital of TU Dresden, Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, General Day Clinic; Klinikum Niederlausitz (Senftenberg), acute psychiatry; as a licensed psychotherapist, worked at MEDIAN Klinik Berggießhübel (psychosomatic rehabilitation) immediately after completing training |
| since 2018 | Associated research fellow at the Chair of Personality Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology |
| since 2021 | Contract psychotherapist of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Saxony (KVS); accredited for statutory health insurance in the Dresden planning area |
| since 2021 | Member of the board of the Dresden Institute for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (DIPP e.V.), member of the management team of the DIPP outpatient clinic, training commission for Psychological Psychotherapists, lecturing |
Memberships and professional affiliations
I am a member of psychotherapeutic professional associations and engaged in professional exchange with institutions committed to high-quality psychotherapeutic care and the advancement of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Saxony (KVS)
- East German Chamber of Psychotherapists (OPK)
- Federal Association of Contract Psychotherapists (bvvp)
- Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP)
- German Psychological Society (DGPs)
- Dresden Institute for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (DIPP e.V.)
Research
Further information about my academic profile, research and publications can be found on the Research page.