Fabienne Wehrli, PhD
E-Mail: fwehrli@ifpt.ch
Profile
- Post gradual training in cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy: Klaus-Grawe-Institute
- Research: Romantic relationships in the context of gynaecopsychology
- LGBTQI+ friendly+ friendly
Education and Work Experience
Since 2025: Psychotherapist in postgradual training at Klaus-Grawe-Institute
Since 2025: Postdoctoral researcher (lab for clinical psychology children/adolescents and couples/families, University of Zurich)
2025: Doctoral dissertation: «From «Me» to «We»: A Dyadic Perspective on Sexual Self-Esteem and Associations with Sexual Health and Sexual Dysfunction in Romantic Relationships»
2024-2025: Psychologist: Men-specific psychotherapy study for depression (MSPP), University of Zurich
2023-2025: Doctoral student (lab for clinical psychology children/adolescents and couples/families, University of Zurich)
since 2023: Postgradual training (cognitive behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy, Klaus-Grawe-Institute, Zurich)
2022: Master of Science in Psychology, University of Zurich
Research projects and internships
- Research projects: sexual health in romantic relationships, romantic relationships in the transition to parenthood, sexualized substance use, use of artificial intelligence for emotion regulation, alcohol withdrawal treatment
- Psychological internship: Center for Addiction Disorders, Psychiatric Services Aargau
- Psychological internship: School Psychology Service, Aargau, Frick
- Psychological Assistant, AEH Center for work-related medicine
- Student research assistant at various labs at the University of Zurich, ETH, Translational Neuromodeling Unit and URPP «Dynamics of Healthy Ageing»
Clinical focus
- Individual therapy: Depression, anxiety disorders (e.g., social phobias, generalized anxiety disorders, panic attacks, etc.), stress related disorders (incl. burnout), substance use and addiction disorders, strengthening and improvement of self-esteem, dealing with relationship-related issues (e.g., longing for a romantic relationship, reoccurring problems, conflicts), coping with challenging life situations (e.g., separations, loss, professional changes, transition to parenthood, menopause, development of one’s own masculinity), dealing with pressure to perform
- Couples: Dealing with stress or depression in the romantic relationship, recognition of patterns and resources, communication training and problem-solving training, clarification of needs in intimate relationships, coping with challenging life situations and phases
- Gynaecopsychology: Therapy and counselling for psychological problems associated with gynaecological issues: sexual problems, perinatal problems (pregnancy problems, postnatal depressions), infertility/unwanted childlessness,premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), pornography consumption, dealing with endometriosis-related pain
- Methods: Clarification-, resource-, and solution-oriented work with elements of schema therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (e.g., understanding and changing of cognitive and behavioral patterns, strengthening of one’s own resources)
Languages
- German
- English
Publications
Becciolini, L.*, Wehrli, F. S. V.*, Kronschnabel, J., Wiesendanger, C., Scherbaum, N., Roser, N. (2025). Symptom-triggered alcohol detoxification compared to fix-diese regimen of benzodiazepines: A retrospective case-control study. Brain Sciences, 15(7). doi: 10.3390/brainsci15070758
Bernecker, K., Becker, D., Weitkamp, K., & Wehrli, F. S. V. (2024). Trait hedonic capacity correlates with sexual pleasure and motives for sexualized drug use in young adults. Current Psychology, 43, 23278-23294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06017-1
Weitkamp, K. & Wehrli, F. S. V. (2023). Women’s experiences of different types of orgasms—A call for pleasure literacy?, International Journal of Sexual Health, 35(2), 193-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2023.2182861
Winter, B. L., Janousch, C., Wehrli, F. S. V., Fehr, J., Hampel, B., Quednow, B. (2025). Real risks of the online world: Mental and sexual health adversities associated with problematic online dating app use in university students. BMJ Public Health.
Wehrli, F. S. V., Bodenmann, G., Clemen, J., Weitkamp, K. (2024). Exploring the role of masturbation as a coping strategy in women, International Journal of Sexual Health, 36(3),237-256. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812
Wehrli, F. S. V., Weitkamp, K., Bodenmann, G.(2025). Development and preliminary validation of the Dyadic Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory, Current Psychology, 44, 3386–3405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-07383-0
Wehrli, F. S., V., Landolt, S. A., Weitkamp, K., Bodenmann, G. (2025). The role of equity in partner contributions to sexual health in romantic couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075251351172
*shared first authorship