MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
I am a Marie-Curie Fellow working in the Emotional Disorders and Mental Imagery group (Programme Leader: Prof Emily Holmes). I am an experimental psychologist and my research is on the impact of mental imagery on behaviour with a focus on developing experimental interventions that target behavioural aspects of depression. I am gratefully supported by a Post-Doc Fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship from the European Union.
Before joining the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit I was based at Maastricht University, the Netherlands, Department of Clinical Psychological Science where I completed my PhD (2014) ‘Chronic Depression: An integrative approach to the study of underlying vulnerability factors and psychological treatment’ under supervision of Prof Marcus Huibers and Prof Arnoud Arntz.
My current research investigates the relationship between mental imagery and behaviour. Understanding how mental imagery can impact behaviour can help inform the development of new interventions, for example for depression by targeting behavioural aspects of depression.
Publications since joining the CBU
Renner, F., Ji, J. L., Pictet, A., Holmes, E. A., & Blackwell, S. E. (2016). Effects of engaging in repeated mental imagery of future positive events on behavioural activation in individuals with major depressive disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research (view article)
Holmes, E. A., Blackwell, S. E., Burnett Heyes, S., Renner, F., & Raes, F. (2016) Mental imagery in depression: Phenomenology, potential mechanisms, and treatment implications. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 249-280. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-092925 (view article)
Holmes, E. A., Bonsall, M. B., Hales, S. A., Mitchell, H., Renner, F., Blackwell, S. E., Watson, P., Goodwin, G. M., Di Simplicio, M. (2016). Applications of time-series analysis to mood fluctuations in bipolar disorder to promote treatment innovation: A case series. Translational Psychiatry, 6, e720. doi. 10.1038/tp.2015.207. (view article, and view supplementary information).
Key data and code book relating to this publication can be retrieved from the Open Science Framework here
Publications relating to work prior to joining the CBU
Renner, F., DeRubeis, R., Arntz, A., Peeters, F., Lobbestael, J., & Huibers, M. (2018). Exploring mechanisms of change in schema therapy for chronic depression. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Kersbergen, I., Field, M., & Werthmann, J. (2017). Dutch courage? Effects of acute alcohol consumption on subjective and objective ratings of foreign language skills. Journal of Psychopharmacology. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Siep, N., Arntz, A., van de Ven, V., Peeters, F.P.M.L., Quaedflieg, C.W.E.M., Huibers, M.J.H (2016), Negative mood-induction modulates default mode network resting-state functional connectivity in chronic depression. Journal of Affective Disorders. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Peeters, F. P. M. L., Lobbestael, J., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2016) Schema therapy for chronic depression: Results of a multiple single case series. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 51, 66-73. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Siep, N., Lobbestael, J., Arntz, A., Peeters, F. P., & Huibers, M. J. (2015). Neural correlates of self-referential processing and implicit self-associations in chronic depression. J Affect Disord, 186, 40-47. (view abstract/article)
Dinger, U., Barrett, M. S., Zimmermann, J., Zilcha-Mano, S., Schauenburg, H., Wright, A. G. C., Renner, F., Barber, J. P. (2015). Depressive Experiences: Dependency, Self-Criticism and Interpersonal Problems in Major Depression. J Clin Psychol, 71(1), 93-104. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Cuijpers, P., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2014). The effect of psychotherapy for depression on improvements in social functioning: a meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 44 (14), 2913-2926. (view abstract/article)
Werthmann, J., Renner, F., Roefs, A., Huibers, M. J. H., Plumanns, L., Krott, N., & Jansen, A. (2014). Looking at food in sad mood: Do attention biases lead emotional eaters into overeating after a negative mood induction? Eating Behaviors, 15(2), 230-236. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Schwarz, P., Peters, M. L., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2014). Effects of a best-possible-self mental imagery exercise on mood and dysfunctional attitudes. Psychiatry Research, 215(1), 105-110. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Bamelis, L. L. M., Huibers, M., Speckens, A., & Arntz, A. (2014). The impact of comorbid depression on treatment outcomes in personality disorders: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Behavioral Research and Therapy, Epub ahead of print. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Van Goor, M., Huibers, M., Arntz, A., Butz, B., & Bernstein, D. P. (2014). Effecten van schemagroepstherapie bij jongvolwassenen [Effects of group schematherapy for adolescents]. Gedragstherapie, 47(1), 20-36.
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M., Renner, F. & Arntz, A. (2014). The influence of patients' preference/attitude towards psychotherapy and antidepressant medication on the treatment of major depressive disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 45, 170-177. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2014). Behandeling van chronische depressie met schema therapie [Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy]. Tijdschrift voor Psychotherapie. 40 (4), 256-272. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2014). Schematherapie für chronische Depressionen [Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy]. Verhaltenstherapie, 24, 169-181. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Van Goor, M., Huibers, M., Arntz, A., Butz, B., & Bernstein, D. P. (2013). Short-term group schema cognitive-behavioral therapy for young adults with personality disorders and personality disorder features: Associations with changes in symptomatic distress, schemas, schema modes and coping styles. Behavioral Research and Therapy. 51, 487-492. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M. J. H., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). Behavioural activation v. antidepressant medication for treating depression in Iran: randomised trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 202, 204-211. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M. J. H., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). 'Results for behavioural activation are overstated': Reply. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(6), 466-467.
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2013). Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 20, 166-180. (view abstract/article)
Schultze-Lutter, F., Renner, F., Paruch, J., Julkowski, D., Klosterkotter, J., & Ruhrmann, S. (2013). Self-Reported Psychotic-Like Experiences Are a Poor Estimate of Clinician-Rated Attenuated and Frank Delusions and Hallucinations. Psychopathology. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). The influence of comorbid personality disorder on the effects of behavioural activation vs. antidepressant medication for major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized trial in Iran. Behaviour Research and Therapy 51, 499-506. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Peeters, F., Cuijpers, P., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2013). Two-year stability and change of neuroticism and extraversion in treated and untreated persons with depression: Findings from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(2), 201-208. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Lobbestael, J., Peeters, F., Arntz, A., & Huibers, M. (2012). Early maladaptive schemas in depressed patients: Stability and relation with depressive symptoms over the course of treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136(3), 581-590. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Jarrett, R. B., Vittengl, J. R., Barrett, M. S., Clark, L. A., & Thase, M. E. (2012). Interpersonal problems as predictors of therapeutic alliance and symptom improvement in cognitive therapy for depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 138(3), 458-467. (view abstract/article)
Bamelis, L. L. M., Renner, F., Heidkamp, D., & Arntz, A. (2011). Extended schema mode conceptualizations for specific personality disorders: an empirical study. J Pers Disord, 25(1), 41-58. (view abstract/article)
Book Chapter
Lemmens, L. H. J. M., Renner, F., & Peeters, F. (2015). Persisterende Depressieve Stoornis [Persistent Depressive Disorder]. In I. Franken, P. Muris & D. Denys (Eds.), Psychopathologie: Oorzaken, diagnostiek en behandeling [Psychopathology: Causes, diagnostic and treatment]. Utrecht: de Tijdstroom.
To go to the ‘Emotional Disorders and Mental Imagery’ group page click here
For a complete list of Holmes group publications click here
Before joining the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit I was based at Maastricht University, the Netherlands, Department of Clinical Psychological Science where I completed my PhD (2014) ‘Chronic Depression: An integrative approach to the study of underlying vulnerability factors and psychological treatment’ under supervision of Prof Marcus Huibers and Prof Arnoud Arntz.
My current research investigates the relationship between mental imagery and behaviour. Understanding how mental imagery can impact behaviour can help inform the development of new interventions, for example for depression by targeting behavioural aspects of depression.
Publications since joining the CBU
Renner, F., Ji, J. L., Pictet, A., Holmes, E. A., & Blackwell, S. E. (2016). Effects of engaging in repeated mental imagery of future positive events on behavioural activation in individuals with major depressive disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research (view article)
Holmes, E. A., Blackwell, S. E., Burnett Heyes, S., Renner, F., & Raes, F. (2016) Mental imagery in depression: Phenomenology, potential mechanisms, and treatment implications. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12, 249-280. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-092925 (view article)
Holmes, E. A., Bonsall, M. B., Hales, S. A., Mitchell, H., Renner, F., Blackwell, S. E., Watson, P., Goodwin, G. M., Di Simplicio, M. (2016). Applications of time-series analysis to mood fluctuations in bipolar disorder to promote treatment innovation: A case series. Translational Psychiatry, 6, e720. doi. 10.1038/tp.2015.207. (view article, and view supplementary information).
Key data and code book relating to this publication can be retrieved from the Open Science Framework here
Publications relating to work prior to joining the CBU
Renner, F., DeRubeis, R., Arntz, A., Peeters, F., Lobbestael, J., & Huibers, M. (2018). Exploring mechanisms of change in schema therapy for chronic depression. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Kersbergen, I., Field, M., & Werthmann, J. (2017). Dutch courage? Effects of acute alcohol consumption on subjective and objective ratings of foreign language skills. Journal of Psychopharmacology. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Siep, N., Arntz, A., van de Ven, V., Peeters, F.P.M.L., Quaedflieg, C.W.E.M., Huibers, M.J.H (2016), Negative mood-induction modulates default mode network resting-state functional connectivity in chronic depression. Journal of Affective Disorders. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Peeters, F. P. M. L., Lobbestael, J., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2016) Schema therapy for chronic depression: Results of a multiple single case series. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 51, 66-73. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Siep, N., Lobbestael, J., Arntz, A., Peeters, F. P., & Huibers, M. J. (2015). Neural correlates of self-referential processing and implicit self-associations in chronic depression. J Affect Disord, 186, 40-47. (view abstract/article)
Dinger, U., Barrett, M. S., Zimmermann, J., Zilcha-Mano, S., Schauenburg, H., Wright, A. G. C., Renner, F., Barber, J. P. (2015). Depressive Experiences: Dependency, Self-Criticism and Interpersonal Problems in Major Depression. J Clin Psychol, 71(1), 93-104. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Cuijpers, P., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2014). The effect of psychotherapy for depression on improvements in social functioning: a meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 44 (14), 2913-2926. (view abstract/article)
Werthmann, J., Renner, F., Roefs, A., Huibers, M. J. H., Plumanns, L., Krott, N., & Jansen, A. (2014). Looking at food in sad mood: Do attention biases lead emotional eaters into overeating after a negative mood induction? Eating Behaviors, 15(2), 230-236. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Schwarz, P., Peters, M. L., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2014). Effects of a best-possible-self mental imagery exercise on mood and dysfunctional attitudes. Psychiatry Research, 215(1), 105-110. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Bamelis, L. L. M., Huibers, M., Speckens, A., & Arntz, A. (2014). The impact of comorbid depression on treatment outcomes in personality disorders: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Behavioral Research and Therapy, Epub ahead of print. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Van Goor, M., Huibers, M., Arntz, A., Butz, B., & Bernstein, D. P. (2014). Effecten van schemagroepstherapie bij jongvolwassenen [Effects of group schematherapy for adolescents]. Gedragstherapie, 47(1), 20-36.
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M., Renner, F. & Arntz, A. (2014). The influence of patients' preference/attitude towards psychotherapy and antidepressant medication on the treatment of major depressive disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 45, 170-177. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2014). Behandeling van chronische depressie met schema therapie [Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy]. Tijdschrift voor Psychotherapie. 40 (4), 256-272. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2014). Schematherapie für chronische Depressionen [Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy]. Verhaltenstherapie, 24, 169-181. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Van Goor, M., Huibers, M., Arntz, A., Butz, B., & Bernstein, D. P. (2013). Short-term group schema cognitive-behavioral therapy for young adults with personality disorders and personality disorder features: Associations with changes in symptomatic distress, schemas, schema modes and coping styles. Behavioral Research and Therapy. 51, 487-492. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M. J. H., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). Behavioural activation v. antidepressant medication for treating depression in Iran: randomised trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 202, 204-211. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M. J. H., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). 'Results for behavioural activation are overstated': Reply. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(6), 466-467.
Renner, F., Arntz, A., Leeuw, I. & Huibers, M. (2013). Treatment for chronic depression using schema therapy. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 20, 166-180. (view abstract/article)
Schultze-Lutter, F., Renner, F., Paruch, J., Julkowski, D., Klosterkotter, J., & Ruhrmann, S. (2013). Self-Reported Psychotic-Like Experiences Are a Poor Estimate of Clinician-Rated Attenuated and Frank Delusions and Hallucinations. Psychopathology. (view abstract/article)
Moradveisi, L., Huibers, M., Renner, F., Arasteh, M., & Arntz, A. (2013). The influence of comorbid personality disorder on the effects of behavioural activation vs. antidepressant medication for major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized trial in Iran. Behaviour Research and Therapy 51, 499-506. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Peeters, F., Cuijpers, P., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2013). Two-year stability and change of neuroticism and extraversion in treated and untreated persons with depression: Findings from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(2), 201-208. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Lobbestael, J., Peeters, F., Arntz, A., & Huibers, M. (2012). Early maladaptive schemas in depressed patients: Stability and relation with depressive symptoms over the course of treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136(3), 581-590. (view abstract/article)
Renner, F., Jarrett, R. B., Vittengl, J. R., Barrett, M. S., Clark, L. A., & Thase, M. E. (2012). Interpersonal problems as predictors of therapeutic alliance and symptom improvement in cognitive therapy for depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 138(3), 458-467. (view abstract/article)
Bamelis, L. L. M., Renner, F., Heidkamp, D., & Arntz, A. (2011). Extended schema mode conceptualizations for specific personality disorders: an empirical study. J Pers Disord, 25(1), 41-58. (view abstract/article)
Book Chapter
Lemmens, L. H. J. M., Renner, F., & Peeters, F. (2015). Persisterende Depressieve Stoornis [Persistent Depressive Disorder]. In I. Franken, P. Muris & D. Denys (Eds.), Psychopathologie: Oorzaken, diagnostiek en behandeling [Psychopathology: Causes, diagnostic and treatment]. Utrecht: de Tijdstroom.
To go to the ‘Emotional Disorders and Mental Imagery’ group page click here
For a complete list of Holmes group publications click here
