About

Who I am

My name is Florian Fahrenbach. I’m a psychologist (FSP) and hold a doctorate in social and economic sciences. In my practice, I support individuals and companies in navigating change processes – with clarity, scientific rigour and a human touch.

I grew up near Munich, studied, completed my doctorate and conducted research in Vienna before moving to Switzerland in 2021.

My path to psychology wasn’t linear – and that’s exactly what shapes my perspective. I studied psychology and cognitive science, researched needs assessment and vision development at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and spent several years working as a Product Owner in the IT and data world. I know my clients’ professional reality first-hand – the pressure of projects, the complexity of transformation processes and the feeling of losing the overview.

But I also know the other side. Psychological support has helped me through difficult phases. This experience has profoundly shaped my understanding of the people who come to me.

Qualifications

  • Master of Science in Psychology – University of Vienna, focus: neuroscience & cognitive psychology. Master’s thesis in clinical psychology on stress and recovery, supervised by Prof. Urs Nater.

  • Master of Science in Cognitive Science – University of Vienna / University of Ljubljana (MEi:CogSci). Interdisciplinary programme at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience and computer science. Master’s thesis on needs assessment and vision development.

  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology – University of Vienna, incl. exchange semester at KU Leuven (Belgium).

  • Dr. rer. soc. oec. (with distinction) – Vienna University of Economics and Business. Doctorate in social and economic sciences. Research on organisational learning, needs assessment and competence evaluation in social systems. 16 peer-reviewed publications.

  • Systemic coaching training – WaVe vocation coaching (with Prof. Alexander Kaiser, WU Vienna). Structured coaching method for clarifying needs, vocation and vision.

  • CAS Data Engineering – ZHAW Zurich. Advanced training in data architecture and data management, giving me a concrete understanding of technology-driven work environments.

  • Psychologist FSP – Member of the Federation of Swiss Psychologists. As an FSP member, I commit to regular professional development and adherence to the federation’s ethical guidelines.

Professional experience

Research and teaching

At the Vienna University of Economics and Business, I spent over five years researching, publishing and teaching on organisational learning, needs assessment and vision development in social systems. My work focused on how people and organisations recognise, prioritise and translate their needs into viable visions. This research forms the scientific foundation of my vocation coaching.

I taught courses at bachelor’s and master’s level, supervised over ten theses and worked as a reviewer for scientific journals. At the Medical University of Vienna, I contributed to an fMRI study on the neural correlates of creativity.

At the University of Vienna, I wrote my master’s thesis in clinical psychology on stress and recovery – an experimental study on the mechanisms of stress and recuperation, supervised by Prof. Urs Nater.

Work and organisational psychology in practice

My research at WU Vienna was interdisciplinary, combining psychology with business and information sciences. The focus was on needs in organisations, vision development and the question of how change processes can be designed so that people come along. Beyond that, I worked for several years as a Product Owner Data & Analytics at an international industrial company and know the challenges of technology-driven workplaces first-hand.

This understanding – of organisations, of the people within them and of the dynamics of change – informs my coaching and my Employee Assistance offering for companies.

Mountains

Mountains are a central part of my life. As an SAC mountain guide, ski instructor and climbing instructor, I regularly move in alpine terrain. Since 2023, I’ve been volunteering as a climbing instructor for SAC Section UTO in Zurich. In Vienna, I founded and led a climbing group for socioeconomically disadvantaged young people over three years.

In the mountains, I’ve learned what it means to make decisions under uncertainty, to deal with fear and to build mental strength. I bring this experience into my work – for mountain athletes, but also as a perspective on handling pressure and complexity.

How I work

Scientifically grounded – I draw on insights from psychology, cognitive science and stress research. What I use has an empirical basis. My practice builds on my own research – more under Science & Publications.

Practical – I know my clients’ reality. Whether it’s work-related stress in IT, a difficult decision or a mental block at the crag – I understand the situations you describe.

Clear and structured – I work with transparent processes, plain language and traceable methods. Counselling shouldn’t be a black box.

Confidential – Everything discussed in counselling is subject to professional confidentiality.

Important notice

My services include psychological counselling, coaching and employee assistance. This is expressly not psychotherapy within the meaning of the Swiss Psychology Professions Act (PsyG). I do not treat mental disorders with clinical significance. Should it become apparent during a session that psychotherapeutic treatment would be advisable, I’m happy to support you in finding a suitable professional.

More: Notice: Psychological counselling is not psychotherapy