Professor Dr Michael Borg-Laufs has been awarded the prize of the German Society for Behavioural Therapy (DGVT) for his outstanding contributions to child and adolescent psychotherapy in Germany. The award ceremony took place during the 33rd DGVT Congress at the Free University in Berlin.

Prof Borg-Laufs teaches the theory and practice of psychosocial work with children at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (HSNR) and was Dean of the Department of Social Work at the HSNR for around eleven years until mid-2024.

"In addition to teaching methodological skills, it is particularly important to me to convey to students and prospective psychotherapists an appreciative attitude towards those seeking counselling as well as the joy of this demanding profession," said Borg-Laufs after receiving the award.

He played a decisive role in the development of the DGVT's first curriculum for child and adolescent psychotherapy (KJP), which now serves as the standard for all DGVT training courses in Germany.

His many years as a lecturer and his involvement in various specialist committees, including as founding chairman of the KJP committee of the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Psychotherapists and member of the first KJP committee of the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists, have had a lasting influence on the therapeutic landscape.

In addition, Borg-Laufs has made a significant contribution to the further development of therapeutic practice through his scientific work, including the publication of one of the first textbooks on behavioural therapy for children and adolescents.