"Burn-out and Leadership: A Journey of Discovery at the University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE/UHZ)"
During my tenure at the University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE/UHZ) and its associated heart center, where I served as a psychotherapist, I encountered burnout and leadership dynamics firsthand. My role encompassed providing care for both adults and children facing critical illnesses, including those awaiting heart transplants or reliant on artificial heart systems. The inpatients I worked with often grappled with significant mental strain.
As I delved into pediatric cardiology, my focus shifted towards supporting parents of seriously ill children, particularly infants or toddlers with congenital heart defects. This involved aiding those in mourning, conducting crisis interventions, and providing psychotherapeutic support for sleep disturbances and heightened stress levels. Given the demanding nature of the work and prolonged inpatient stays, addressing burnout symptoms became a core aspect of my responsibilities. Additionally, my experiences provided valuable insights into high-performing teams and individuals.
Photo: Charity Soccer Team: Placebo Kickers - Kicken mit Herz (footie with heart) charity game doctors vs celebrities / Stephan Goalie
Qualifications and Training:
Magister Artium
Ludwig Maximilians Universität München
Licensed and registered as a clinical Psychologist in Germany, New Zealand and Australia
Studied educational science, psychology and child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (2008).
Training in cognitive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) IVAH (Institute for Behavioral Therapy Education Hamburg): Approved 2014.
Training as SAFE Mentor with Karl Heinz Brisch in Munich.
Certified in medical / Clinical Hypnosis (Milton Erickson Institute, Hamburg / Germany)
Certified in EMDR (The Society of Neuro- Linguistic Programming)
My journey began in my home country of Germany, where I embarked on a long and successful career in the medical field. For almost a decade, as a respected healthcare professional, I served diligently at the prestigious University Hospital of Hamburg Eppendorf, where my expertise and compassion touched the lives of many.
Driven by a thirst for adventure and new experiences, I ventured to New Zealand, where I continued my remarkable career at Tauranga Hospital and my own private practice. My commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to patient care earned me the admiration and respect of colleagues and patients alike.
The allure of sun-kissed shores and dancing waves beckoned me irresistibly, drawing me into the embrace of Newcastle, NSW. In the coastal charm of this city, I felt a connection to the warmth of the sun and the calming rhythm of the sea. Here, amidst the ocean breeze, I found a peaceful retreat—a place where I could unwind and feel at ease. Newcastle's shores became my sanctuary, offering solace to my soul and a sense of belonging to my heart.
University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf:
Stephan spent part of his professional life at the University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE / UHZ) or at the university’s associated heart center as a psychotherapist. There, he looked after adults as well as children and adolescents. The focus was on critically ill patients who were waiting for a heart transplant and / or who connected to an artificial heart system. These treated inpatients were under massive mental stress.
“In the area of pediatric cardiology, I mainly worked with parents who treat seriously ill children, mostly infants or toddlers with congenital heart defects in this area. Emphasis here was working with those mourning, crisis interventions and psychotherapeutic support for sleep disorders or increased stress. Since there was a fairly large catchment area here and sometimes very long inpatient treatment periods, this type of work often led to marital or couple conflicts as well as to familial stress situations with sibling children.”
Stephan also provided clinical psychology In the field of pediatric rheumatology, with primary responsibilities being pain management and stress management strategies.
You might say my role at UKE was of a specialist in mental health issues or problems related to chronic diseases and their processing. My areas of focus were derived from these fields of activity.