Mrs. Rebecca Menhart | Psychology – Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
Rebecca Menhart is a highly motivated early-career researcher in clinical psychology and child & adolescent psychiatry. Based at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, one of Europe’s premier medical institutions, she has already begun to make notable contributions to the field of trauma-informed care for children and adolescents. With a strong academic foundation, diverse international education, and hands-on clinical experience, she is emerging as a promising scholar-practitioner committed to advancing mental health care for vulnerable youth populations. Her work reflects a deep engagement with both theory and practice, making her an ideal candidate for a Young Researcher Award.
Profile Verified:
Education:
Rebecca’s academic journey reflects excellence and international diversity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Management from the International School of Management (ISM), Cologne, followed by study abroad experiences in the UK, Spain, and the USA. She then completed her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Sigmund Freud University Berlin with distinction, graduating with a GPA equivalent of 1.1. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree (Dr. rer. medic.) in Medical Sciences at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where she also engages in academic research. In parallel, she is undergoing advanced training in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Institut für Psychotherapie (IfP) in Berlin. This academic and professional training forms a robust foundation for her evolving clinical and research career.
Experience:
Rebecca has gained rich and practical experience in both clinical and academic roles. Since 2023, she has been working as a research associate at Charité Berlin in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, where she contributes to the PROMISE Elpis research project focused on trauma-informed mental health care. Previously, she served as a student research assistant and completed a trauma-focused clinical internship supporting victims of violence. Her responsibilities have included one-on-one psychiatric care in acute units, coordination of clinical assessments, and engagement with interdisciplinary treatment teams. Her clinical acumen is supported by practical experiences across multiple healthcare settings, reinforcing her academic research with hands-on expertise.
Research Interest:
Rebecca’s core research interests revolve around trauma psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, and psychosocial interventions for abuse and neglect survivors. She focuses on the integration of medical and psychological care, particularly in cases of digital or online sexual abuse. Her doctoral work seeks to build evidence-based practices for psychosocial care in such contexts, contributing to a critical and underdeveloped area in mental health services. She is particularly drawn to the intersection of psychological resilience, trauma recovery, and service accessibility in culturally diverse and marginalized youth communities. Her passion lies in creating scalable, trauma-informed care models that are interdisciplinary, evidence-driven, and youth-centered.
Award:
Rebecca has been recognized for her academic excellence through merit-based awards from Sigmund Freud University, receiving Leistungsstipendium (Performance Scholarships) for two consecutive academic years: 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. In 2022, she was also invited as a guest speaker at the Annual Conference of the Japanese Association for TEA and Qualitative Inquiry in Osaka, Japan—an opportunity that highlights her growing international academic visibility. These awards reflect her commitment to academic excellence, global research engagement, and leadership potential in mental health research.
Publication:
📘 “A systematic review and meta-analysis of medical and psychosocial care procedures for children and adolescents after (online) sexual abuse” – Child Abuse and Neglect, 2025, Cited by: 1 article – showcases a comprehensive analysis of care models for abuse survivors and is already being cited for its contribution to child trauma literature.
Conclusion:
In summary, Rebecca Menhart is an exceptionally dedicated early-career researcher who brings a balanced blend of academic rigor, clinical experience, and cross-cultural understanding to the field of child and adolescent mental health. Her educational achievements, practical engagement in trauma-focused care, and impactful early publications align well with the ideals of a Young Researcher Award. As she continues to build on her research and clinical portfolio, she demonstrates the potential to become a leading contributor in mental health sciences. This nomination recognizes her current excellence and future promise in shaping trauma-informed, youth-centered mental health solutions.