Dr. Severin Hennemann

Education

Apr 2017 Licensure for psychological psychotherapy (CBT)
Dec 2016 Ph.D. in Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz (Germany)
Dissertation: "Acceptance and implementation of eHealth interventions in medical inpatient rehabilitation"
Oct 2012 - Apr 2017 Professional training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
July 2012 Diploma in Psychology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main
Sept 2010-Feb 2011 Semester abroad, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

 

Academic and Clinical Positions

since
June 2016		 Research assistant, Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy & experimental Psychopathology (Prof. Dr. Witthöft), Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
July 2013-May 2016 Doctoral candidate, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Mainz
Oct 2012-
Mar 2013		 Clinical training, Inpatient Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Mainz
Oct 2013-Sept 2014 Clinical training, Inpatient Clinic of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Agaplesion Elisabethenstift, Darmstadt

 

Awards & Scholarships

Aug 2023 Early Career Award
International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) [LINK]
March 2022 Young Investigator Award
European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM) [LINK]
Sept 2018 Poster Prize
6th meeting of the European Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ESRII), Copenhagen, Denmark
Poster-Title: Effectiveness, acceptability, and safety of Internet-delivered psychological therapies for somatoform disorders and functional somatic syndromes: a narrative overview and recommendations for future research
Mar 2017 Poster Prize
26th Congress on Rehabilitation Sciences, Frankfurt (Germany)
Poster title: Internet-based interventions for work-related stress: Acceptance and barriers to utilization in employees with a high risk of health-related early retirement
July 2013- May 2016 Ph.D. scholarship
Illa and Werner Zarnekow Foundation
Mar 2106 Travel grant
67th German Congress of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (03/16-19/2016) by the DKPM, DGPM, MediClin, DGPPR
Sept 2010-Feb 2011 Student scholarship
ERASMUS program for academic mobility

Teaching Projects & Certificates

Jan 2024 Co-funding for teaching project
Gutenberg Lehrkolleg (GLK), University of Mainz
Lehrprojekt: "Aufbau eines rollenspielbasierten, berufspraktisch-orientierten Seminars im neuen Master of Science Klinische Psychologie & Psychotherapie zur Vorbereitung auf die neue Approbationsprüfung"  (Master Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie)
Lead: Hanna Konradi  
Nov 2021 Certificate "Digital Psychotherapy"
German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DGPPN) and German Association for Psychology (DPGs)
Feb 2021 Certificate "Digital Health & Education"
Robert Bosch Stiftung and Careum Foundation
June 2017 Teaching award (2nd place), "Neue Wege in der Lehre", University of Mainz (Germany)
Seminar title: Development of modular web-based self-help for somatic symptom disorders and medically unexplained physical symptoms

 

Research funding

2025-2028

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)  - Clinical Studies

Integrating online modules into cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with somatic stress disorder (iSOMA+): Effects of blended psychotherapy
Project number: 543351897
Website: https://isoma.uni-mainz.de/

Funding: 1.5 Mio. EUR
2018 Project funding 
Internet-based CBT for somatic symptom distress (iSOMA) in emerging adults
Stufe I Förderung (seed funding), University of MainzFunding: 13.000€

 

Publications

Featured publication

Hennemann, S., Wenzel, M., Van den Bergh, O., Wessels, M., & Witthöft, M. (2023). Emotion dynamics and somatic symptoms in everyday life: Ecological momentary assessment in somatic symptom disorder and healthy controls. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 172, 111429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111429

2025

Hennemann, S., Weirich, A., Meule, A., Braescher, A.-K., & Witthoeft, M. (2025). German version of the specific phobia of vomiting inventory (SPOVI): psychometric properties and correlates in a clinical and non-clinical sample. BMC PSYCHIATRY, 25(1). DOI
Pohl, A., Wolters, C., Petzke, T. M., Bogaerts, K., Walentynowicz, M., Witthoeft, M., Gerlach, A. L., & Hennemann, S. (2025). Are You Engaged With Bodily Signals? Validation of the German Version of the Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire (ISAQ) in Convenience Samples and Pathological Illness Anxiety. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT. Published. DOI
Toussaint, A., Weigel, A., Löwe, B., Blanch, J., Bogaerts, K., Boye, B., Burton, C., Cosci, F., Engelmann, P., Fink, P., Fischer, S., Frisch, S., Frostholm, L., Gormsen, L. K., Greco, M., Kallesoe, K. H., Hartman, T. olde, Hechler, T., Hennemann, S., Henningsen, P., Hüfner, K., Hüsing, P., Ronel, J., von Känel, R., Kenedi, C. A., Köteles, F., Kohlmann, S., Kop, W. J., Lehnen, N., Levenson, J., Löwe, B., Maehder, K., Martin, A., Pieh, C., Pitron, V., Rask, C. U., Rief, W., Rosendal, M., Rosmalen, J., Rymaszewska, J., Sainio, M., Salzmann, S., Schaefert, R., Selinheimo, S., Shedden-Mora, M., Stone, J., Tak, L., Toussaint, A., Uhlenbusch, N., Van den Bergh, O., de Vroege, L., Weigel, A., Werneke, U., & Witthöft, M. (2025). The overlooked burden of persistent physical symptoms: a call for action in European healthcare. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 48, 101140-101140. DOI

2023

Hennemann, S., Böhme, K., & Witthöft, M. (2023). Somatische Belastungsstörung und verwandte Störungen. In D. D. Ebert & H. Baumeister (Hrsg.), Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen Anwendungen in Therapie und Prävention (S. 131-148). Springer. DOI
Hennemann, S., Killikelly, C., Hyland, P., Maercker, A., & Witthoeft, M. (2023). Somatic symptom distress and ICD-11 prolonged grief in a large intercultural sample. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY, 14(2). DOI
Hennemann, S., Wenzel, M., Van den Bergh, O., Wessels, M., & Witthoeft, M. (2023). Emotion dynamics and somatic symptoms in everyday life: Ecological momentary assessment in somatic symptom disorder and healthy controls. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH, 172. DOI
Killikelly, C., Kagialis, A., Henneman, S., Coronado, H., Demanarig, D., Farahani, H., Özdoğru, A. A., Yalçın, B., Yockey, A., Gosnell, C. L., Jia, F., Maisel, M., Stelzer, E., Wilson, D., Anderson, J., Charles, K., Cummings, J. P., Faas, C., Knapp, B., Koneczny, B., Koch, C., Bauer, L. M., Cuccolo, C., Edlund, J. E., Heermans, G. F., McGillivray, S., Shane-Simpson, C., Staples, A., Zheng, Z., Zlokovich, M. S., & Irgens, M. S. (2023). Measurement and assessment of grief in a large international sample. Journal of Affective Disorders, 327, 306-314. DOI
Klan, T., Gaul, C., Liesering-Latta, E., Witthoeft, M., & Hennemann, S. (2023). Behavioral treatment for migraine prophylaxis in adults: Moderator analysis of a randomized controlled trial. CEPHALALGIA, 43(6). DOI

2022

Braun, P., Druge, M., Hennemann, S., Nitsch, F. J., Staeck, R., & Apolinario-Hagen, J. (2022). Acceptance of E-Mental Health Services for Different Application Purposes Among Psychotherapists in Clinical Training in Germany and Switzerland: Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey. FRONTIERS IN DIGITAL HEALTH, 4. DOI
Hennemann, S., Boehme, K., Kleinstauber, M., Ruckes, C., Baumeister, H., Ebert, D. D., Kuechler, A.-M., & Witthoeft, M. (2022). Is Therapist Support Needed? Comparing Therapist- and Self- Guided Internet-Based CBT for Somatic Symptom Distress (iSOMA) in Emerging Adults. BEHAVIOR THERAPY, 53(6), 1205-1218. DOI
Hennemann, S., Böhme, K., Kleinstäuber, M., Baumeister, H., Küchler, A.-M., Ebert, D. D., & Witthöft, M. (2022). Internet-based CBT for somatic symptom distress (iSOMA) in emerging adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(4), 353-365. DOI
Hennemann, S., Kuhn, S., Witthöft, M., & Jungmann, S. M. (2022). Diagnostic Performance of an App-Based Symptom Checker in Mental Disorders: Comparative Study in Psychotherapy Outpatients. JMIR Mental Health, 9(1), e32832-e32832. DOI
Hennemann, S., Witthöft, M., Kleinstäuber, M., Böhme, K., Baumeister, H., Ebert, D. D., & Probst, T. (2022). Somatosensory amplification moderates the efficacy of internet-delivered CBT for somatic symptom distress in emerging adults: Exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 155, 110761-110761. DOI
Klan, T., Gaul, C., Liesering-Latta, E., Both, B., Held, I., Hennemann, S., & Witthöft, M. (2022). Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Prophylaxis of Migraine in Adults: A Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Neurology, 13. DOI

2021

Apolinário-Hagen, J., Drüge, M., Hennemann, S., & Breil, B. (2021). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: Insights into a New Generation of Face-to-Face Treatment and Digital Self-Help Approaches. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (S. 311-332). Springer Singapore. DOI
Philippi, P., Baumeister, H., Apolinário-Hagen, J., Ebert, D. D., Hennemann, S., Kott, L., Lin, J., Messner, E.-M., & Terhorst, Y. (2021). Acceptance towards digital health interventions – Model validation and further development of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Internet Interventions, 26, 100459-100459. DOI

2020

Apolinário-Hagen, J., Hennemann, S., Kück, C., Wodner, A., Geibel, D., Riebschläger, M., Zeißler, M., & Breil, B. (2020). Exploring User-Related Drivers of the Early Acceptance of Certified Digital Stress Prevention Programs in Germany. Health Services Insights, 13. DOI

2019

Apolinário-Hagen, J., Hennemann, S., Fritsche, L., Drüge, M., & Breil, B. (2019). Determinant Factors of Public Acceptance of Stress Management Apps: Survey Study. JMIR Mental Health, 6(11), e15373-e15373. DOI
Breil, B., Kremer, L., Hennemann, S., & Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2019). Acceptance of mHealth Apps for Self-Management Among People with Hypertension. [Print]. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 267, 282-288. DOI
Breil, B., Kremer, L., Hennemann, S., & Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2019). Acceptance of mHealth Apps for Self-Management Among People with Hypertension. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 267, 282-288. DOI
Hennemann, S., Klan, T., & Witthöft, M. (2019). Aufmerksamkeitslenkung in der Verhaltenstherapie. Verhaltenstherapie, 29(1), 28-38. DOI

2018

Apolinário-Hagen, J., Menzel, M., Hennemann, S., & Salewski, C. (2018). Acceptance of Mobile Health Apps for Disease Management Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: Web-Based Survey Study. JMIR Formative Research, 2(2), e11977-e11977. DOI
Hennemann, S., Beutel, M., & Zwerenz, R. (2018). „Morbus Google“ vs. e-Health: Qualitative Untersuchung zur Akzeptanz und Implementierung von Online-Nachsorge in der stationären Rehabilitation. Die Rehabilitation, 57(01), 14-23. DOI
Hennemann, S., Böhme, K., Baumeister, H., Bendig, E., Kleinstäuber, M., Ebert, D. D., & Witthöft, M. (2018). Efficacy of a guided internet-based intervention (iSOMA) for somatic symptoms and related distress in university students: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 8(12), e024929-e024929. DOI
Hennemann, S., Farnsteiner, S., & Sander, L. (2018). Internet- and mobile-based aftercare and relapse prevention in mental disorders: A systematic review and recommendations for future research. Internet Interventions, 14, 1-17. DOI
Hennemann, S., Witthöft, M., Bethge, M., Spanier, K., Beutel, M. E., & Zwerenz, R. (2018). Acceptance and barriers to access of occupational e-mental health: cross-sectional findings from a health-risk population of employees. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 91(3), 305-316. DOI

2017

Hennemann, S., Beutel, M. E., & Zwerenz, R. (2017). Ready for eHealth? Health Professionals’ Acceptance and Adoption of eHealth Interventions in Inpatient Routine Care. Journal of Health Communication, 22(3), 274-284. DOI
Hennemann, S., Farnsteiner, S., & Sander, L. (2017). Internet- and mobile-based aftercare and follow-up for mental disorders : protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 7(6), e016696. Author/Publisher URL

2016

Hennemann, S. (2016). Akzeptanz, Bedarf und Implementierung von eHealth : Interventionen im Kontext der stationären medizinischen Rehabilitation [PhD Thesis].
Hennemann, S., Beutel, M. E., & Zwerenz, R. (2016). Drivers and barriers to acceptance of Web-based aftercare of patients in inpatient routine care : a cross-sectional survey. Journal of medical internet research, 18(12), e337. Author/Publisher URL

2014

Zwerenz, R., Hennemann, S., Gerzymisch, K., Becker, J., & Beutel, M. (2014). E-Health: Neue Trends in Rehabilitation und Psychotherapie – Fachtagung der Universitätsmedizin Mainz am 23. November 2013 in Mainz. Die Rehabilitation, 53(02), 133-134. DOI

Hennemann, S., Schröder, Y. J., Witthöft, M., Zeier, P. (under review). How to deal with negative climate emotions? An experimental study on emotion regulation in the context of the climate crisis among activists and non-activists. Global Environmental Psychology

Huth, D., Hennemann, S., Witthöft, M., Bräscher, A.-K. (under review). Effectiveness of a video-based educational intervention in promoting COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among individuals with mental disorders: A randomized online experiment.

Hennemann, S., Fähnrich, J., Tietze, C., Jungmann, S.M. (under review). Efficacy of a chatbot (ChatGPT-4) compared to a human conversational agent for reducing procrastination: a randomized controlled pilot-trial. Internet Interventions

Bielinski, L.L., Steubl., L.S….Hennemann, S.,… Schaeuffele, C. (under review). Blended Care: Clarifying the present to sharpen a vision for the future. npj Digital Medicine

Witthöft, M, Hennemann, S. (submitted). Somatische Belastungsstörung. In: Linden, M., Hautzinger, M. (Hrsg.). Verhaltenstherapiemanual (9. Aufl.)

Witthöft, M., Jasper, F., Hennemann, S., (2023). Somatic Symptom Disorder. In Friedman, H.S. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 3rd edition. Academic Press Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91497-0.00118-1

Hennemann, S., Böhme, K., Witthöft, M. (2023). Somatische Belastungsstörung und verwandte Störungen. In: Ebert, D.D., Baumeister, H. (eds) Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65816-1_9 

Apolinário-Hagen, J., Drüge, M., Hennemann, S., Breil, B. (2021). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: Insights into a New Generation of Face-to-Face Treatment and Digital Self-Help Approaches. In: Kim, YK. (eds) Major Depressive Disorder. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1305. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6044-0_17

Research projects

isoma+ - Blended Psychotherapie für Somatische Belastungsstörung (Studienstart Oktober 2025)
KIPSY - Künstliche Intelligenz in der Psychotherapie (in Planung)
Einstellungen von Behandler*innen zur Entstehung und Behandlung des Post-Covid-Syndroms (abgeschlossen)
DIADEM - Diagnostik und Intervention bei Emetophobie (Angst vor dem Erbrechen) (laufend)
PROKI - Vergleich von Chatbot (ChatGPT) und menschlichem Coaching bei Prokrastination (abgeschlossen)
KLER - Klimagefühle und Emotionsregulation mit Bilderparadigma (abgeschlossen)
iSOMA – Wirksamkeit einer Online-Intervention für anhaltende körperliche Beschwerden (abgeschlossen)
KOWA– Körperbeschwerden und Wahrnehmungsprozesse im Alltag (abgeschlossen)

Research Interests

  • digital health
  • iCBT
  • LLMs and chatbots
  • Acceptance and adoption of e-mental-health
  • Somatoform disorders / Somatic Symptom Disorders / Functional Somatic Syndromes
  • Health anxiety
  • Emetophobia
  • Grief
  • Ambulatory assessment
  • Digital diagnostics
  • Psychotherapy process research

University courses (German)

Bachelor and Master of Psychology

  • Seminare zu Störungs- und Verfahrenslehre (u.a. "Therapeutische Techniken", "Depression und Suizidalität", "Somatoforme Störungen", "Mythen der Klinischen Psychologie und Psychotherapie", "Angststörungen")
  • Experimentalpsychologisches Praktikum
  • Fallkonzeptualisierung/ Begleitung und Dokumentation von Psychotherapie (BQT1)
  • Projektarbeitsseminare (u.a. "Entwicklung internetbasierter Interventionen für funktionelle Körperbeschwerden", "Validierung eines Fragebogens zur interozeptiven Sensibilität")
  • Klinische Modelle und Psychotherapieforschung
  • Erstgespräch und Probatorik in der Psychotherapie
  • Übung Klinische & Psychosoziale Versorgung
  • Psychotherapie bei Erwachsenen (BQT 2)

Externe Dozententätigkeit

Seminare für Ausbildungsinstitute und Fortbildungsveranstaltungen zu den Themen „Somatoforme Störungen" und „E-Mental-Health“

Peer review activities (ad-hoc reviewer)

  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research
  • Journal of Affective Disorders
  • Psychiatry Research
  • General Hospital Psychiatry
  • BMJ open
  • Internet Interventions
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Research
  • Systematic Reviews
  • Nature Digital Medicine
  • Frontiers
  • Journal of Clinical Psychology
  • Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie
  • Verhaltenstherapie
  • Journal of Sleep Research
  • International Journal of Information Management
  • Journal of Psychiatry Research
  • Psychology, Health & Medicine
  • Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
  • Clinical Psychology in Europe
  • PLOS One
  • Scientific Reports

Media

Studie an der Uni Mainz: Wie geht man mit „Klima-Gefühlen“ um? - Beitrag der Landespsychotherapeutenkammer RLP über das Forschungsprojekt KLER (18.03.2024)

"Wie wir Krankheitsängste überwinden" - Interview im SWR2 (Do, 29.10.2020 19:05 Uhr, SWR2 Tandem)

"Onlinetraining bei anhaltenden körperlichen Beschwerden" - Beitrag im JGU Magazin der Universität Mainz über Forschungsprojekt iSOMA

"Psychotherapie per App?" - Beitrag in ZDF heute via Instagram (Juli 2022)

Professional Affiliations

  • European Research Network to Improve Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Care for Patients with Persistent Somatic Symptoms (EURONET-SOMA)
  • Indikationsspezifische Arbeitsgruppe Psychotherapie im "Trusted Health Apps" Projekt der Bertelsmann Stiftung
  • German Psychological Society (DGPs; section eHealth)
  • Arbeitsgruppe „E-Health in der Rehabilitation“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rehabilitationswissenschaften e. V. (DGRW)
  • Deutsche PsychotherapeutenVereinigung (DPtV)