Emma Zapel

Emma Zapel is a PhD student at the Centre for Psychiatry Research (CPF), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet. Her research focuses on the psychotherapeutic component of psilocybin treatment, with the aim of better understanding how therapeutic processes, therapist behaviours, and the therapeutic relationship contribute to patient experiences and clinical outcomes. Ultimately, her work seeks to inform evidence-based models of psychotherapeutic support within psychedelic treatments.

Currently, Emma is primarily involved in two Swedish randomized controlled trials, PSIPET and CAPSI, investigating psychotherapeutic support within psilocybin treatment for depression and cancer-related depression. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Her work included evaluations of treatment manuals and therapist training, analyses of audio-recorded therapy sessions, and interviews with patients and clinicians. Her research aims to advance the understanding of therapeutic mechanisms and contribute to the development of future therapist training, treatment manuals, and the implementation of psychedelic treatments in clinical practice.

Prior to beginning her PhD, Emma worked on research projects spanning artificial intelligence in clinical care, digital mental health, and cognitive psychology. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a Research Master's degree in Psychology from Uppsala University, and completed academic exchange studies in the United States.

Projects she is involved in:
PSIPET is a Swedish randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial investigating psilocybin treatment for depression. Within PSIPET, Emma Zapel's research focuses on the psychotherapeutic component of treatment, including therapist behaviours, therapeutic relationships, and patient experiences. 
CAPSI is an ongoing Swedish clinical trial investigating psilocybin treatment for depression and cancer-related depression. Within CAPSI, Emma's research examines psychotherapeutic support from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives and with a particular focus on facilitators' and patients' experiences. 

Clinical psychology, mood disorders, psychotherapy process research, therapeutic relationships, common therapeutic factors, therapist behaviours, treatment mechanisms, psychedelic treatment, mixed-methods research, and implementation of evidence-based psychological support.