Marleen Schröter

Biography and Expertise of Marleen Schröter

Marleen Schröter is a researcher and doctoral candidate contributing to the field of integrative pediatrics at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, one of Europe’s leading university hospitals. Her professional journey is characterized by a unique fusion of clinical psychology and rigorous academic research, with a specialized focus on the application of mind-body therapies like yoga and mindfulness. She investigates how these traditional practices can improve the well-being and health-related quality of life for young patients facing chronic illnesses.

Her work directly embodies the congress’s Thematic Axis, “TCIM Across the Lifespan,” by concentrating on the critical pediatric and adolescent stages. Furthermore, her commitment to conducting randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses aligns with the axis on “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” This dedication to scientific validation strongly supports the principles of the Gujarat Declaration, which call for robust evidence to guide the integration of traditional medicine into health systems. Therefore, the research of Marleen Schröter provides crucial data for building a credible foundation for integrative pediatric care.

Her background in psychology, with an academic focus on self-compassion and well-being, provides her with a unique lens through which to approach pediatric health. This perspective is not solely focused on symptom management but on fostering resilience and promoting holistic well-being in children and their families. This approach resonates with the congress motto pillar of creating “Well-being Societies” by starting with its youngest members.

Professional Career

Marleen Schröter‘s professional trajectory progressed from clinical psychological practice to a specialized research career in academic medicine. Her path reflects a commitment to generating high-quality evidence for integrative health interventions, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of patient challenges and rigorous methodologies to validate novel therapies.

Each role built upon the last, from child and adolescent psychiatry to designing and leading clinical studies. This blend of clinical insight and research acumen makes her a significant asset.

• Since 2022: Researcher (doctoral position) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, working group Prevention, Integrative Medicine, and Health Promotion in Pediatrics, responsible for planning, supervising, and executing clinical trials.
• Since 2022: Thesis Reviewer at European Distance Learning University, Hamburg, supervising and assessing academic theses in psychology, contributing to professional education.
• 2020 – 2022: Researcher at Clinic for Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, coordinating and managing clinical studies in integrative medicine.
• 2020 – 2022: Yoga Teacher at Kliniken Essen-Mitte, leading prevention courses for hospital employees, applying mind-body expertise.
• 2019 – 2020: Psychologist at Social Pediatric Center, University Hospital Essen, focusing on test diagnostics and psychological counseling for children.
• 2017 – 2019: Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Helios St. Josefs-Hospital, involved in diagnostics, therapy planning, crisis intervention, and family counseling.

Academic Qualifications

Marleen Schröter‘s academic foundation was built at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, where she distinguished herself by graduating with honors in both her master’s and bachelor’s programs. Her education reflects a profound and early interest in the psychological components of well-being, happiness, and self-compassion, themes that have become central to her subsequent research in integrative medicine. This strong grounding in psychological science provides the theoretical framework for her clinical investigations.

Beyond her formal degrees, she has proactively sought specialized training in mind-body practices, demonstrating a commitment to a truly integrative approach to health. This combination of qualifications allows her to bridge the gap between conventional psychological research and traditional healing modalities.

• 2022: Completed a specialized yoga teacher training course in “Yoga and Cancer” (YACEP Yoga Alliance), enhancing her ability to adapt mind-body practices for specific patient populations.
• 2019: Earned her certification as a Yoga Teacher (RYS 200 Yoga Alliance) in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, establishing a deep practical and theoretical understanding of the discipline.
• 2017: Awarded a Master of Science in Psychology with Cum Laude honors from the University of Twente. Her master’s thesis was a randomized controlled trial titled, “Who benefits from a guided self-help self-compassion training?”
• 2016: Received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Cum Laude honors from the University of Twente. Her bachelor’s thesis explored “Happiness and goal pursuit in adulthood: the role of hedonic and eudaimonic components.”

Research and Publications

The research contributions of Marleen Schröter are centered on building a robust evidence base for integrative therapies in pediatrics. Her work is particularly focused on evaluating the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, such as yoga and mindfulness, for children and adolescents managing chronic diseases. She employs rigorous scientific methods, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, to ensure that her findings are reliable and can inform clinical practice and health policy.

Her publications have appeared in respected peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable knowledge to the international scientific community. A key area of her research is the impact of these therapies not only on the pediatric patients but also on their families, recognizing the systemic nature of chronic illness. Therefore, her work pioneers more holistic and family-centered models of care.

Noteworthy publications led by Marleen Schröter include a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in the European Journal of Pediatrics on the effect of yoga on health-related quality of life in children with chronic diseases. In 2024, she published a pilot randomized controlled trial in Complementary Therapies in Medicine on a digital mindfulness program for parents of children with chronic conditions, highlighting her interest in accessible, technology-based health solutions.

Academic Honors and Professional Recognition

The academic excellence of Marleen Schröter was consistently recognized during her university education. Her outstanding performance and the high quality of her scholarly work earned her the distinction of Cum Laude for both her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Twente. This honor is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and signifies the depth of her commitment to her studies from the very beginning of her career.

These accolades underscore the solid intellectual foundation upon which her current research is built. Consequently, they serve as an early indicator of the dedication and rigor she brings to her scientific investigations at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

• Master of Science in Psychology, Cum Laude (2017): Awarded for outstanding academic performance and a high-quality master’s thesis involving a randomized controlled trial.
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Cum Laude (2016): Awarded for exceptional achievement throughout her undergraduate studies and in her final bachelor’s thesis.

Contributions to the Academic Community

Beyond her primary research activities, Marleen Schröter actively contributes to maintaining and advancing the quality of scientific work within her field. Her role as a thesis reviewer for the European Distance Learning University demonstrates a commitment to nurturing the next generation of psychology professionals. In this capacity, she provides critical feedback and guidance, helping to ensure that emerging academic work meets high standards of scholarly inquiry.

This engagement in academic supervision and peer review is a vital, albeit often unseen, part of a thriving scientific community. It reflects a dedication not only to her own research but also to the collective endeavor of advancing knowledge. Therefore, these activities highlight her standing as a trusted expert among her peers.

• Thesis Reviewer (Since 2022): Serves the European Distance Learning University in Hamburg by supervising and formally assessing psychology theses, playing a key role in academic quality assurance.
• Peer Review Activities (2020-2022): Gained valuable experience in the scientific peer-review process during her time as a researcher at the Kliniken Essen-Mitte, contributing to the evaluation of scholarly work for publication.

Connect with Marleen Schröter

To delve deeper into the research, publications, and professional background of Marleen Schröter, several online resources are available. These profiles provide a comprehensive overview of her work at the intersection of psychology and pediatric integrative medicine, offering direct access to her scientific contributions and professional activities.

Official Profile at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: View Professional Profile

ResearchGate Profile: Explore Publications on ResearchGate