Peter Graff, MA, PhD
Psychotherapist in Training under Clinical Supervision (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Trained in EMDR for Trauma, Schema Therapy, and the Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders according to the ICD-11
"Extraordinary personalities allow people to lead extraordinary lives filled with rich experiences and creativity. The precondition for this is a high degree of self-awareness. I specialize in working with people with extraordinary personalities."
Languages
Deutsch
Muttersprache
English
Near-native
Français
Couramment
Nederlands
Vloeiend
Education and Professional Memberships
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Doctor of Philosophy in Psycholinguistics
Intelligence Initiative Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Vienna Postgraduate Center
Preparatory Training in Psychotherapy
Outpatient Clinic of the Sigmund Freud Private University
480 Hours Psychosocial Internship
Association of Behavioral Change
Specialized Training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Training in Schema Therapy
Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders according to the ICD-11
Student Representative and Member of the Board
EMDR Institute Austria
Training in EMDR for Trauma
Maimonides Center
550 Hours Clinical Internship
Austrian Federal Association for Psychotherapy
Chairman of the Committee Representing Psychotherapy Candidates
Member of the Board
If you suffer from a mental health issue, schedule your first appointment today.
Extraordinary personalities
Personality is everything that makes up a person's individuality. It is the sum of a person's perceptions, behaviors, cognitions, and emotions. Peter Graff, MA, PhD, specializes in working with people with extraordinary personalities. This means helping people with personality disorders and personality accentuations that cause significant stress, suffering, or impairment. He also supports people in their personality development through counseling and coaching.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since the age of 15, there is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before the age of 15
Avoidant Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction despite a strong desire for intimacy
Borderline Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect as well as impulsivity, and sensitivity to rejection
Dependent Personality Disorder
An enduring, pervasive, and excessive need to be taken care of which leads to submissive and clinging behavior and overwhelming fears of separation
Histrionic Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of excessive attention-seeking behaviors including inappropriate seduction and an excessive desire for approval
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and recurring difficulties in interpersonal relationships
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency
Paranoid Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of lasting distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent, and hypersensitivity to criticism
Schizoid Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of detachment from and general disinterest in social relationships, and a limited range of emotions in interpersonal relationships
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
An enduring and pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by reduced capacity for close relationships, by cognitive or perceptual distortions, and by eccentricities of behavior
If you suffer from these or other mental health issues, schedule your first appointment today.
Psychotherapeutic Methodology
Peter Graff, MA, PhD is a cognitive behavioral therapist (CBT) integrating expertise from schema therapy and psychotherapeutic stress management into his treatment approach. Depending on your issue, you may see significant improvements in your mental health after just a few sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy based on the science of learning. According to CBT, problematic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors have been learned from experience. CBT helps you unlearn and replace them with healthier alternatives.
EMDR for Trauma
Certain life events are so distressing that they leave a psychological wound or trauma. Through eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) incompletely processed memories of traumatic events may be reprocessed. Negative cognitions about the self are overwritten and present-day triggers are weakened or disappear.
Schema Therapy
As children and young adults we develop different strategies, or schemas, to make sure our basic human needs are met. Sometimes these strategies prove problematic later in life. Schema Therapy helps you find healthy alternative strategies to satisfy your basic human needs.
Stress Management
Most problems, challenges, and disorders are exacerbated by stress. That is why it is so important to learn effective ways to relax. As part of your therapy you will develop a custom relaxation program tailored to your individual situation and needs.
If you suffer from a mental health issue, schedule your first appointment today.
When can therapy help?
Peter Graff, MA, PhD, can help you with the following mental health issues:
Adjustment disorders
Problems in coping with change, living abroad, starting a new job, traumatic breakups
Aging and dementia
Forgetfulness, loss of autonomy, challenges for caregivers, coping with death and dying
Anxiety
Specific phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, excessive worrying and constant brooding
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Excessive inattention, and impulsivity with a negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning
Bipolar disorder
Strong mood swings, alternating depressive and manic or hypomanic episodes
Depression
Overwhelming sadness, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
Eating disorders
Struggles with weight and body image, being overweight or underweight, anorexia, bulimia
Emotional instability
Emotional outbursts, excessive crying, rapidly changing moods, being at the mercy of one's own feelings
Hypochondria
Worrying excessively about one's own health, hyper-vigilance concerning bodily sensations
Impulsivity
Outbursts of anger, aggression, violent behavior, daring behavior, anger management
LGBTQIA+ Issues
Sexual identity, gender identity, coming-out, transitioning to self-identified gender
Life crises
Loss of employment, loss of a loved one, coping with major life-changing events
Mania and hypomania
Extreme elation, drastically increased sex-drive, overexertion of mind and body, lack of sleep
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive thoughts, rituals to prevent disasters, compulsive behaviors such as excessive washing
Panic disorder
Panic attacks, sudden intense terror, fear of losing your mind or dying, hyperventilation, fear of fear itself
Personality disorders
Pervasive and enduring patterns of behavior that cause mental distress
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Significant long-term dysfunction or distress due to traumatic events, flashbacks, triggers, complex PTSD
Psychosis
Schizophrenia, hallucinations, disjointed thoughts, delusions, paranoia
Relationship problems
Marital problems, problems forming attachments, issues with partners, friends, and family members
Sexual dysfunction and disorders
Impotence, vaginismus, dyspareunia, premature ejaculation, sexual desire disorder
Sleep disorders
Insomnia, problems falling asleep and staying asleep, sleep-wake cycle disorders, nightmares
Somatization
Physical manifestations of mental suffering and stress, stress and self-care factors in autoimmune diseases
If you suffer from any of these or other mental health issues, schedule your first appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy based on the science of learning. According to CBT, problematic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors have been learned from experience. CBT helps you unlearn and replace them with healthier alternatives.
What are extraordinary personalities?
Extraordinary personalities allow people to lead extraordinary lives filled with rich experiences and creativity. The precondition for this is a high degree of self-awareness. Peter Graff, MA, PhD, specializes in helping people with extraordinary personalities, personality disorders, and personality accentuations achieve this state of mental clarity, and improve their mental health.
When can therapy help?
Peter Graff, MA, PhD, can treat you for any mental health issue that is not a medical or mental health emergency. He can also help you cope with crises, major life challenges, and relationship problems. Finally, he can aid you in your personal development through counseling and coaching.
How long does therapy take?
Peter Graff, MA, PhD, works in a focused and solution-oriented manner. Depending on your issue, you may see significant improvements in your mental health after just a few sessions. A regular session lasts 50 minutes, with 5 minutes reserved for scheduling and payment processing. In certain cases it may also be appropriate to schedule longer sessions.
Is therapy confidential?
Psychotherapy is subject to strict confidentiality under Austrian law. Whatever you tell your therapist stays between you and them, except in certain rare cases defined in the Violence Prevention Act (e.g., when there is an imminent danger to yourself or others).
How do I schedule an appointment?
The fastest way to make an appointment is to schedule online. You may also call or email to make an appointment. If no one answers the phone you will receive a call back as soon as possible.
Can I cancel my appointment?
Yes. You will not be charged for appointments canceled at least 48 hours before the start of the session. Please understand that appointments that are not canceled in time must be paid in full.
What is the cost of therapy?
Peter Graff, MA, PhD, charges 100 euros for each 50-minute individual therapy session. Couples therapy is 150 euros per 50-minute session. Sliding scale fees may be agreed upon for patients in need on a case by case basis. Non-clinical services (e.g., coaching, counseling, supervision) are subject to VAT. Treatment must be paid out of pocket. Reimbursement by the Austrian public health insurance system is not possible.
How does COVID-19 affect my treatment?
Psychotherapy is a health service and may be attended even during lockdown. Peter Graff, MA, PhD is following strict precautions to keep your treatment as safe as possible during the pandemic. These precautions include mandatory FFP2 masks, hand disinfection, two-meters physical distance at all times, air purification with HEPA filters, and frequent ventilation.
Is it possible to have therapy online?
In certain cases it may be possible to treat you online although the first session must always take place in person. Peter Graff, MA, PhD, is always able to provide counseling or coaching online for non-clinical issues.
How do I get to the practice?
The psychotherapy practice of Peter Graff, MA, PhD is located at Ybbsstraße 22, Top 9-10 in 1020 Vienna. This location is easily accessible by public transport (100m to the 82A station Harkortstraße, 300m to the U1 station Vorgartenstraße exit Radingerstraße, 350m to the 11A/11B station Lassallestraße, 500m to the U2 station Praterstern exit Venediger Au).
What do I do in case of a mental health emergency?
Peter Graff, MA, PhD, does not treat emergencies in his practice. In case of a mental health emergency (e.g., imminent danger to yourself or others), please call the Austrian medical emergency services immediately at the telephone number 144, or dial the common emergency telephone number 112.
Please get in touch in case you have any further questions or concerns.