20 years of psychotherapy in Krems: looking back and moving forward

At an anniversary conference titled “20 Years of Psychotherapy at the University for Continuing Education Krems – an (extra)ordinary program” held on March 6, 2026, the University for Continuing Education Krems looked back on two decades of development in psychotherapy education. At the same time, the event offered an outlook on the new regular master’s program in psychotherapy under the Psychotherapy Act of 2024, which will begin in the winter semester 2026/27. Applications for the tuition-free program are open until April 7, 2026.

Through lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, representatives from academia, politics, ministries, professional associations, as well as current and prospective students gathered to discuss the future of psychotherapy training in Austria.

A pioneering role

Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr. Viktoria Weber opened the conference by reflecting on the development of the study programs over the past two decades. What once began as a certificate program in cooperation with the Lower Austrian Medical Chamber has developed into a major center for psychotherapy education and research. Today, around 1,200 individuals in Krems are studying at different stages of their psychotherapy training.

This continuous development reflects a consistent commitment to quality and an early decision to establish psychotherapy as a scientifically grounded university-based education. The academization of psychotherapy training, which was legally anchored in the Psychotherapy Act of 2024, thus builds on a development that has already been practiced in Krems for many years.

The next milestone

The presentation of the new regular master’s program in psychotherapy formed the centerpiece of the conference. Beginning in the winter semester 2026/27, the University for Continuing Education Krems will offer 80 of the 500 places available nationwide.
A distinctive feature in Krems is the possibility of completing the entire training pathway at a single location: after completing the master’s program, students can also undertake the third phase of psychotherapy training directly in Krems. This allows all stages of training to be optimally coordinated, particularly since the University for Continuing Education Krems is the only public university that itself hosts the professional societies responsible for the respective training approaches and therefore holds authority over the so-called third phase of training.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Katharina Luttenberger, Deputy Head of the Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, emphasized the importance of this step in her presentation. The program represents an important milestone not only for psychotherapy in Austria but also for the university itself. The aim is to offer training that closely combines scientific foundations with practical competencies while strengthening collaboration between different psychotherapeutic schools.

Representatives from the responsible federal ministries also outlined the background of the legislative reform during the conference. The Psychotherapy Act of 2024 introduces a three-stage training model consisting of a bachelor’s program, a master’s program, and a subsequent specialist training phase. This reform further professionalizes psychotherapy as an academic health profession and strengthens its links with research and university teaching.

For universities, this creates new opportunities for interdisciplinary research, international cooperation, and a closer integration of training, clinical practice, and healthcare provision. At the same time, the reform is intended to help address the growing demand for psychotherapeutic care in the long term.

Talking about the program

In addition to the expert presentations, the conference offered numerous opportunities for exchange between academia, practice, and education. Discussions addressed topics such as the implementation of the new training model, future research fields, and questions of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. Workshops, study information sessions, and campus tours complemented the program and provided participants with insights into the study programs and their advantages in Krems.

At the information booth for the regular master’s program in psychotherapy, numerous prospective students gathered to learn more about the program. Many expressed enthusiasm for the campus, the study program, and especially the personal and cooperative atmosphere among the teaching staff from different clusters and schools.

A particularly practical example was the presentation of therapeutic bouldering. This innovative approach combines psychotherapeutic work with physical activity. At the university’s own bouldering wall, participants were shown how climbing can be integrated into psychotherapeutic settings, for example to promote self-efficacy, body awareness, and trust.

The format illustrated how new teaching and learning approaches are developed at the University for Continuing Education Krems and integrated into training. The spirit of collaboration across different schools of psychotherapy, which is characteristic of Krems, is also reflected in this approach: students from all clusters will have the opportunity to try therapeutic climbing.

Applications open until April 7

The new master's program in psychotherapy will begin in the winter semester 2026/27 at the University for Continuing Education Krems. Krems will be among the largest training sites within the new nationwide model of academic psychotherapy training—giving applicants particularly strong chances of securing a place in the program.

Prospective students can apply for the program until April 7, 2026. Admission takes place within a joint nationwide selection procedure organized by the participating universities. As part of the application, applicants must indicate which university location they wish to attend. Further information on admission requirements, procedures, and deadlines is available online.

An online information session about the new program will take place on March 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Further details and registration are available online.