Prof. Dr. Berrin Özlem Otyakmaz

Dr. Berrin Özlem Otyakmaz was appointed to the Chair of Psychological Foundations of Social Work on October 1. The developmental psychologist and psychological psychotherapist, who holds a doctorate, has worked as a research assistant, deputy professor and professor at universities in the Ruhr region (Essen, Bochum, Dortmund), the University of Kassel and the HdBA Schwerin. Her research and teaching activities to date have focused on diversity- and discrimination-sensitive professionalism in social work, social pedagogy, counseling and psychotherapy. Her research in Kassel will build on her previous areas of focus and examine the connections between experiences of racist/intersectional microaggressions and mental health, as well as focusing on the necessities, conditions and implementation possibilities of racism-critical professional action in social work, counseling and psychotherapy.