KEYNOTES
TITLE PENDING
Cynthia de las Fuentes
President
American Psychological Association (APA)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
During her graduate school training, Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD, was awarded a United States Congressional Fellowship through the Women’s Research and Education Institute and another fellowship with APA's Women’s Program Office. She earned a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 and subsequently became licensed in Texas in 1996. From 1993–2007, she was a tenured associate professor of psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University, an APA-accredited doctoral program, and held numerous leadership positions within the university and department including serving as training director.
Since 2007, de las Fuentes has worked in private practice offering sliding-scale consultation, psychotherapy, and forensic evaluations focusing her expert testimony on the victims of hate crimes, racial, gender, and sexual orientation discrimination and immigration evaluations. Her pro bono work includes training bilingual psychologists in her community on the cultural and linguistic competent delivery of forensic evaluation services to the Latiné immigrant community and delivering self-care and stress management workshops to immigration lawyers and their staff.
She has dozens of presentations and publications in her areas of scholarship: ethics in psychology, feminist psychology, and multicultural and Latiné psychologies. She is active in APA governance where, among other positions, she has served as president of the Society for the Psychology of Women, was a member of the Board of Education Affairs, was chair of the Committee for Women in Psychology, served on the APA Council of Representatives representing Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race), was chair of the Council Leadership Team, and served as a member of the Policy and Planning Board. She is a founding member of National Latinx Psychological Association and was elected a member and secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Psychological Association. She is currently the 2024 president of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association Services Inc.
A PROCESS-ORIENTED COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL APPROACH TO ANXIETY: THEORY AND TREATMENT
David A. Clark
Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology
University of New Brunswick
CANADA
David A. Clark, PhD, is Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Canada and was a practicing clinical psychologist with 30+ years in providing cognitive behavioural treatment for OCD. He received his PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, Founding Fellow/Trainer Consultant of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and ad hoc consultant with the Beck Institute. Dr. Clark has conducted training workshops on CBT globally including Hong Kong, China, Australia, Europe, Britain, Turkey, and the United States to name but a few. He has co-authored several publications with Dr. Beck including Cognitive Therapy for Anxiety Disorders (Guilford, 2010), and The Anxiety and Worry Workbook (Guilford, 2012; 2nd edition, 2023). He is sole author of The Mood Repair Toolkit (Guilford, 2014), The Anxious Thoughts Workbook (2018, New Harbinger), and The Negative Thoughts Workbook (2020, New Harbinger). His latest book based on the process-orientation to anxiety will be released in the autumn of 2024 and is titled This is What Anxiety Looks Like (New Harbinger).
Abstract
Anxiety is a complex mental health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Although disorder-specific cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) protocols have been developed, more recently interest has shifted to more transdiagnostic processes that target common processes across anxiety subtypes. This address presents one such transdiagnostic perspective that targets 12 core processes that are common, to varying degrees, across the various symptom presentations of anxiety. Processes such as anticipatory anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, avoidance, catastrophizing, helplessness, uncertainty tolerance, reassurance seeking, postevent processing, and the like are explained. Assessment, case conceptualization, and process-focused cognitive-behavioral interventions are presented that offer a more systematic, targeted, and individualized approach to treatment of anxiety.
YOU SHOULDN’T FEEL THAT WAY— BUT YOU DO: COPING WITH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS SUCH AS REGRET
Robert L. Leahy
Professor of Clinical Psychology
Weill Cornell Medical College
Director
American Institute for Cognitive Therapy
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Robert L. Leahy (B.A., M.S., Ph.D., Yale University), Completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical School under the direction of Dr. Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy. Dr. Leahy is the Past-President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Past-President of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Past-President of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy (NYC), and Clinical Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Weill-Cornell University Medical School.
Dr. Leahy is the Honorary Life-time President, New York City Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association and a Distinguished Founding Fellow, Diplomate, of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He has received the Aaron T. Beck award for outstanding contributions in cognitive therapy. In 2023, he was named the Global Ambassador by the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and he also received the Outstanding Clinician Award from ABCT.
Abstract
We frequently hear invalidating comments about our difficult emotions, such as “You shouldn’t feel jealous, resentful, envious, bored, or regretful”. But these are universal emotions that we all might feel and disowning this part of our self is unrealistic and self-defeating. The emotional schema model views all emotions as the result of the evolutionary process and that our cultural and socialization experiences make it difficult to integrate these experiences into our lives. Our beliefs about emotions affect our tolerance of the inevitable difficulties of a completely human existence. The relentless pursuit of happiness, existential and emotional perfectionism and beliefs in a “higher self” lead to attempts to suppress these feelings which leads to more anxiety and beliefs that we are not “normal”. Complex emotions such as jealousy, envy, and regret function as systemic “modes” which are integrated strategies for coping. For example, the regret mode imagines a “better world” (alternative), compares outcomes to an ideal that does not exist, ignores the limits of our knowledge in making decisions, rejects tradeoffs, and activates rumination and self-criticism to motivate us to try to pursue maximum benefits. In its extreme form, regret becomes guilt, but the absence of guilt leads to distrust and sociopathy. How do we help clients find the right balance? What is the right amount of regret, for the right reasons, expressed in the right way, to produce the best outcome within our human limits? How do existential and emotional perfectionism and biases in predicting emotions lead to our difficulty in using painful emotions to benefit us?
ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SOCIAL PHOBIA
Ron Rapee
Director of the Center for Emotional Health (CEH)
Macquarie University
SYNDEY, AUSTRALIA
Ronald M. Rapee is currently Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and Director of the Centre for Emotional Health. Prof Rapee has established an international reputation for his research into the understanding and management of anxiety and related problems in both children and adults and has published widely in some of the leading scientific journals. He has developed a number of empirically supported treatment programs that are used by researchers and therapists in countries across the world and has been honoured by awards from both scientific and consumer groups. Prof Rapee received the Distinguished Career Award from the Australian Association for CBT and the Distinguished Contribution to Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society. In June 2012, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to Australian society in clinical psychology. He serves on the editorial board and acts as associate editor for international journals, is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and provides consultation to a number of government, non-government and scientific bodies.
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder is a highly chronic disorder, usually beginning very early in life with little remission and impacts on relationships, career, and physical health. Psychological treatments have had moderate success, although the effects of treatment are the lowest among any of the anxiety disorders. Recent developments in research have pointed to several directions that hold promise for improved treatments. These include focusing intervention to underlying mechanisms, use of cognitive enhancers to increase effects, and reductions in automatic attention toward threat. Interest has also begun to focus on broader dissemination of treatments via the internet. The talk will summarise, what we know, what is promising, and where we might head.
UNDERSTANDING AND TREATING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A COGNITIVE APPROACH
Anke Ehlers
Professor of Experimental Psychopathology
University of Oxford
UNITED KINGDOM
Anke Ehlers is a Professor of Experimental Psychopathology at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK, and Co-director of the Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma. She is interested in psychological processes involved in the onset and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, and implications for treatment. With her colleagues she developed Cognitive Therapy for PTSD, one of the evidenced-based first-line interventions for PTSD recommended in international treatment guidelines. She has received several awards for her work, including the American Psychological Association award for Distinguished Contributions to Clinical Psychology (2014) and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Lifetime Achievement Award (2022).
Abstract
Ehlers and Clark (2000) suggested that PTSD develops if trauma survivors process traumatic events in a way that lead to a sense of serious "current" threat. The perceived threat can be internal (e.g., ‘I am a bad person’) or external (e.g., ‘I will be attacked again’) and has two sources: First, people with chronic PTSD show excessively negative appraisals of their traumas and/or trauma sequelae. Second, the nature of trauma memories leads to easy cue-driven triggering of trauma memories that lack the awareness of the self in the past. Furthermore, the patients’ appraisals motivate a series of unhelpful coping behaviours and cognitive strategies that are intended to reduce the sense of current threat but maintain the disorder. Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) uses this model to develop an individualized case formulation. The presentation will give an update on research testing the model and processes of treatment efficacy.
EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTING AND FAMILY INTERVENTION FOR ALL FAMILIES AND THE PROMOTION CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Matthew Sanders
Professor of Parenting and Family Support Center
The University of Queensland
AUSTRALIA
Professor Matthew Sanders, AO, PhD is the Foundation Professor of Parenting Studies and Family Psychology (PFSC) and Professor of Clinical Psychology. He is widely acknowledged to be Australia's leading, internationally best-known parenting intervention researcher. As founder of the PFSCs flagship program the Triple P Positive Parenting Program Professor Sanders was Foundation Director of the PFSC and served in that role for 27 years. In addition to his professorial responsibilities, he is a strategic advisor to the Director and remains actively involved in program development, evaluation and dissemination of Triple P. He is a prolific researcher with over 500 publications.
Abstract
To reduce global prevalence rates of social, emotional, and behavioural problems in children and adolescents, an integrated multi-level, system of evidence-based parenting support is required. Several criteria need to be met for such a system to work at scale in "shifting the needle" at a population level. These include having a theory of change, clear goals and targets, multiple levels of intensity of intervention available (not a "one size fits all"), involving and where possible harmonising different disciplines, sectors, and service delivery systems. The intervention needs to accommodate both flexibility and fidelity of delivery, have a well-trained and supported workforce to deliver programs. Programs need to be inclusive, gender sensitive, culturally informed, and attuned to local context including (policies, funding, type of workforce and their availability). Taking a global perspective and using the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program as an example, I will reflect on progress across four decades in attempting to meet these criteria, challenges encountered, learnings, solutions and future directions will be highlighted. Much greater collaboration and knowledge sharing between different evidence-based programs are needed to ensure collective efforts in that influence research, policy and practice. I will identify new opportunities for parenting researchers and program developers in addressing family and parenting factors related to the UN's sustainable development goals, neglected areas of research from a parenting across the lifespan perspective, and the addressing problems arising from mental health, education and child welfare policies that fail to recognise the critical importance of parenting and the need to fund both research and practice to ensure programs evolve over time and address the contemporary needs of children and their families.
INTERVENTION FOR STRESS REDUCTION, BY THE MANAGEMENT OF BELIEFS AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Saul Neves de Jesus
Profesor Catedrático
Universidad de Algarve
PORTUGAL
Full Professor of the University of Algarve, since 2003. Currently, he is the Director of the PhD in Psychology at UAlg, the Coordinator of the University Research Center in Psychology (CUIP), the Coordinator of the Portuguese Psychology Forum, and the National Representative of Portugal at the "Stress, Trauma, Anxiety and Resilience Society" (STAR) .
Previously, he had experience in organizational management positions, namely as Vice-Rector of the University of Algarve, Director, President of the Scientific Council and President of the Pedagogical Council of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, as well as President of CIEO, a Research Center rated “Very Good” by the FCT, having coordinated the research group “Well -Being in Society.”
He has supervised postdocs of colleagues from several countries, and has already supervised 49 successfully completed doctoral theses, as well as some founded research projects.
He has published some scientific books and more than three hundred scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, most of them about Positive Psychology variables, as well as motivation, and health topics.
He has obtained several national and international awards and distinctions, namely the “APP Prize for Psychological Research Career (2019)” and the “STAR Lifetime Career Award 2023”.
Abstract
Levels of professional stress have been increasing, particularly among teachers and healthcare professionals.
This conference presents a program to reduce distress and increase motivation and professional well-being, with a particular focus on the management of beliefs and the development of healthy lifestyles.
The results obtained reveal the benefits of this program for participants.
In addition, investigations carried out at an organizational level to promote healthy work environments will also be presented.
EL PODER DE LOS GRUPOS
Carmem Beatriz Neufeld
President
Latin-American Federation of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies
ALAPCCO
-
Libre Docente por la Universidade de São Paulo;
-
Postdoctorada en la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro;
-
Doctora y Máster por la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Rio Grande do Sul;
-
Profesora Asociada de la Universidad de São Paulo – Ribeirão Preto
-
Fundadora y Coordinadora del Laboratorio de Investigación e Intervención Cognitivo-Conductual – LaPICC-USP
-
Becaria de productividad del Consejo Nacional de Investigación de Brasil;
-
Past president de la Federación Brasileña de Terapias Cognitivas (2011-2013/ 2013-2015);
-
Presidente de la Federación Latinoamericana de Psicoterapias Cognitivas y Conductuales (ALAPCCO) (gestión 2019-2022/2022-2025)
-
Presidente de la Asociación de Enseñanza y Supervisión Basada en la Evidencia (AESBE) (gestión 2020-2023)
Abstract
Están probados los beneficios que los abordajes grupales proporcionan para una gran diversidad de situaciones. Por lo tanto, las intervenciones en grupo vienen recibiendo una atención creciente, tanto en la literatura clínica como en el ámbito de la investigación. Trabajar con grupos presupone una mirada integrativa y multidisciplinaria. En este sentido, se abordará los supuestos teóricos y prácticos de la aplicación de intervenciones grupales en diferentes contextos. Se presentará supuestos teórico-prácticos para intervenciones grupales desde una visión de las terapias cognitivo-conductuales, pasando por las competencias clínicas necesarias para intervenciones grupales y por posibilidades de intervenciones terapéuticas y de prevención y promoción de la salud, en contextos culturales diversos. Se discutirán los desafíos en las intervenciones de terapia cognitivo-conductual grupal en línea y la responsabilidad social de los profesionales de la psicología y cómo los grupos pueden ser una alternativa para superar los desafíos sociales de la realidad latinoamericana.
TITLE PENDING
Farooq Naeem
Institute for Mental Health Policy Research
CANADA
SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF IN THE UK
Roman Raczka
President
The British Psychological Society
UNITED KINGDOM
Dr. Roman Raczka is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the BPS. He is currently President-elect of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and also the Chair of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology. Roman has previously held a number of leadership roles in the BPS including the DCP England Lead, DCP London Chair and Chair of London DCP Faculty for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Roman was the DCP representative on the BPS Covid Co-ordinating Group and Chaired the COVID Adaptations to Practice sub-group leading on the development of a number of COVID publications.
Roman has over 30 years experience of working as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS and his clinical areas of special interest include, adults with intellectual disabilities and complex needs including challenging behaviours, offenders with intellectual disabilities, working with people with autistic spectrum disorders as well as the use of third wave cognitive behaviour therapies with people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Roman is employed in the NHS as the Consultant Lead Clinical Psychologist for Central London Community Health (CLCH) NHS Trust and is the CLCH Trust Head of Psychology. Roman has also held academic appointments at the University of London, and visiting lecturer at the College of Policing.
Roman’s research interests are varied and has had a number of journal articles published.
Abstract
Covid-19 shone a light on the need for health and care staff in the UK to have access to psychological support, both during and after the pandemic. With staff presenting with high levels of mental distress, trauma and burnout, NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs were commissioned to provide direct, confidential support to staff struggling with their mental health. Since the pandemic, high levels of staff sickness absence for mental health reasons, and significant staff retention issues have continued to persist, highlighting the importance of ongoing access to psychological support for staff. However, with the UK government withdrawing funding for the hub, the British Psychological Society has been campaigning for continued investment in mental health and wellbeing services for this vital workforce.
The British Psychological Society has captured key learnings from the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, to help shape and inform future provision for staff. In this presentation, I will outline the eight key principles we have identified for staff mental health and wellbeing services, I will also present evidence from qualitative research studies conducted in the north of England and finally explore the role of clinical psychology delivering evidence based therapy to support health and social care workers.
STS: A TRANSTHEORETICAL, PAN DIAGNOSTIC, INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY THAT WORKS
Larry Beutler
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Palo Alto University
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dr. Larry E. Beutler received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska (1970) and served on faculties of Duke University, SFA State University, Baylor College of Medicine, the U of A (Arizona) before becoming Emeritus Professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Palo Alto University. He carries diplomate or Fellow status at ABPP, APA, APS and is a Past President of Divisions 29 and 12 of APA and the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR). He earned a Distinguished Career award from SPR and a Presidential citation from APA for his research. He has spent his career as a clinician- scientist, practicing in the areas of assessment and psychotherapy. He has authored or co-authored 23 books and over 500 scholarly papers. Over the past 10 years, including his 7 years of full retirement, he has been committed to developing a truly “Integrative Psychotherapy”. His latest (in press) book provides the background for this presentation.
Dr. Satoko Kimpara graduated from Yokohama National University, Japan, and received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University, USA. Dr. Kimpara is a licensed psychologist (CA) and has been a researcher and clinician at several behavioral health clinics that specialize in treating minority populations in Northern California and was employed as a supervisor and research scientist at Palo Alto University. She has published widely on patient-treatment fit and matching and is skilled in the Systematic Treatment Selection (STS) approach to enhancing and optimizing psychotherapy in supervision training.
Abstract
This lecture will be presented by Larry Beutler and Satoko Kimpara.
There frequently is a disconnect between what is taught in classes by research faculty and what is modeled and taught to students and carried out in clinical practice by professional clinicians. This, combined with the 300 plus extant psychotherapy theories can easily suggest that we don’t know what we are doing. Systematic Treatment Selection (STS) is an evidence-grounded intervention that is designed to operate across diagnostic groups and can either enhance or replace one’s theoretical model with empirically identified principles of change.
From a set of four empirically grounded books that identified a large and overlapping number of principles of change, Beutler and Kimpara extract eleven general, cross-cutting principles and three culture-specific ones that, together, form a strong scientific foundation for an integrated psychotherapy. These principles are woven into a practical demonstration of how the science (the principles) and the art (the application) can effect change and improve outcomes.
TRAINING AND RETRAINING MODELS FOR DIAGNOSTIC PRACTICE BY PSYCHOLOGISTS BASED ON THE ICD-11
Geoffrey M. Reed
Professor
Columbia University Medical Center
Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building and Training in Global Mental Health
World Health Organization
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Geoffrey M. Reed, PhD is Professor of Medical Psychology and Director, Columbia - World Health Organization (WHO) Center for Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City. He is also a consultant to the World Health Organization. Dr. Reed led the development of the classification of mental, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the Eleventh Revision of WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which included psychologists at every level and stage. A foundation of the revision process was a rigorous program of international field studies involving thousands of clinicians around the world and producing numerous research articles in top scientific journals. Dr. Reed is currently focused on workforce development initiatives and working with several countries on national mental health surveys based on the ICD-11. He co-chaired the 2021 American Psychological Association Task Force on Psychology and Health Equity. He has received numerous awards, including the 2021 American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology and the Robert L. Spitzer, MD Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nosology and Diagnosis.
Abstract
The Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) was approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2019. Countries are in the process of implementing the ICD-11 in their health information and clinical systems. This creates substantial needs for workforce development and training resources. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now published Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Requirements for ICD-11 Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CDDR), which provides detailed guidance for implementation in clinical settings by mental health professionals. Moreover, the International Union of Psychological Science and the American Psychological Science have recently published A Psychological Approach to Diagnosis Using the ICD-11 as a Framework. This symposium will provide a deeper exploration of training models and resources for psychology students, interns, residents and practicing clinicians in diagnostic practice based on the ICD-11, allowing them to benefit from the ICD-11’s substantial scientific and clinical advances.
AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPASSION FOCUSED THERAPY
Paul Gilbert
University of Derby
President and Founder of the Compassionate Mind Foundation
UNITED KINGDOM
Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. He was made a Fellow of the British Psychological Society in 1993, president of the BABCP 2002-2004, and was a member of the first British Governments’ NICE guidelines for depression. He has written/edited 23 books and over 400 papers and book chapters. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion.
Abstract
Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is an integrative, evolution informed biopsychosocial and brain state approach to mental health difficulties. This talk will outline the background key themes and science of CFT in terms of the four functions of mind: motives emotions, cognitions, and behaviours. It will highlight the way the evolution of caring behaviour was the basis for compassion. Stimulating compassionate brain states seek to stimulate those psychophysiological systems associated with caring such as the vagus nerve, oxytocin and neurocircuits. These brain states have important impacts on helping people work with threat processing and facilitate prosocial relating to self and others.
FIVE DECADES OF RESEARCH ON PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR DEPRESSION: OVERVIEW OF A META-ANALYTIC RESEARCH DOMAIN
Pim Cuijpers
Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology
University of Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS
Pim Cuijpers is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions in Amsterdam. He was involved in more than 75 randomised controlled trials and more than 300 meta-analyses on prevention and psychological treatments of common mental disorders across the life span. Much of his work is aimed at prevention of mental disorders, psychological treatments of depression and anxiety disorders, and digital interventions. He has also published on several other research topics, including global mental health and student mental health. Pim Cuijpers has published more than 1,200 peer-reviewed papers, chapters, reports and professional publications, including more than 900 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science lists of the ‘highly cited researchers’ since the first edition of this list in 2014 (http://highlycited.com/).
Abstract
More than 1,000 randomised controlled trials have examined the effects of psychotherapies for depression and compared psychotherapies with control conditions, with each other, with pharmacotherapy and with combined treatments. These trials have also examined the effects of therapies in specific target groups, such as women with perinatal depression, children and adolescents, older adults, people with general medical disorders and many others. Furthermore, the effects have not just been examined on depressive symptoms, but also on other outcomes, such as quality of life, functional limitations and social support. In this presentation I will present the results of a large meta-analytic project in which new trials are continuously added. I will show that the most important therapies are effective, that most therapies have comparable effects, that these effects remain significant up to one year follow up and that the therapies are effective in most specific groups. But meta-analyses should also be considered with caution, because they overestimate the effects of therapies. The effects of therapies are comparable to those of pharmacotherapy, but at the longer term psychotherapies are more effective. Combined therapy is more effective than either one alone, at the short and longer term.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN MALAYSIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS OF RESEARCH, TRAINING AND PRACTICE
Alvin Lai Oon Ng
Professor of Psychology
Sunway University
MALAYSIA
Dr Alvin Lai Oon Ng is a clinical psychologist by training and is currently Professor of Psychology at the Department of Psychology, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University. He holds honorary academic positions at University of Exeter, UK and University of East Anglia, UK. He is instrumental in the growth of clinical psychology as a profession in Malaysia, authoring papers and chapters on the subject. He was the Founding President of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology which he helped establish in 2010, and served as the Secretary of the Asian Cognitive Behavioral Therapies Association for two terms. Dr Ng was the convener of the 7th Asian Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Conference (virtual) in 2021 that gathered more than 7,000 participants from 80 countries. His research area is diverse but tends to focus on mental health literacy, cross-cultural psychometric development and mindfulness-based interventions.
Abstract
Malaysia is a developing Southeast Asian country with clinical psychology appearing only in the mid1990s when formal local training began. Much of training and practice of clinical psychology is based on Western English-speaking modalities, with a severe lack of indigenous contents, partly due to the dearth of research into indigenous psychology and cultural adaptations in Malaysia. This lecture addresses the issues of the clinical psychology profession and training in an Asian developing country. Recommendations align with national interest, and based on academic and professional integrity, facilitated by multisectorial collaborations and the empowerment of local scholars and practitioners towards global impact. It will also discuss sustainable development of clinical psychology with best practices that can be shared at the regional and world stage, towards a strategic trajectory for advancements in the field.
FOCUS ON TRAUMA AND MENTAL DISORDERS: THE CONTRIBUTION OF EMDR
Isabel Fernández
President
EMDR European Association
EUROPE
Isabel Fernandez is a clinical psychologist working in Milan. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and has been on the faculty of the Italian School of Cognitive Behavior for 18 years, providing specialization training in psychotherapy. She has worked as a consultant psychologist at the psychiatric ward of Niguarda Hospital, conducting clinical research projects. Currently, she is Director of the Psychotraumatology Research Center of Milan and has published many papers, articles and books on trauma, EMDR and other topics. She is chairman of the Italian EMDR Association and Past President of EMDR Europe Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Italian Federation of Scientific Psychological Societies. She has been a member of the Standing Committee Trauma and Disasters and the Board Prevention and Intervention (of the European Federation Psychological Associations) from 2005 to 2014.
She has organized interventions with EMDR in mass disasters and has worked in cooperation with Civil Defense, Military and Law enforcement and Fireworkers to provide psychological support and trauma treatment for emergency workers. She trains graduates students and clinicians in trauma, EMDR and crisis intervention in Italy and Spain. She has made research and published on Post-traumatic stress reactions in children and adults in emergency settings and mass disasters.
In 2019 awarded with the title of Knight Commander by the President of Italy, for her contribution to society, public health and for the Early interventions in the aftermath of mass disasters of EMDR Italy Association.
Abstract
The aim is the presentation of the role of traumatic experiencies in mental and physical health and how to intervene with EMDR, a first-line trauma treatment in the international practice guidelines of several organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association (2004), the World Health Organization (2013, 2023) and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (2018). The clinical effectiveness of EMDR for treatment of trauma in adults has been documented in several randomized controlled studies (EMDR International Association, 2014); furthermore, and an incremental effect of EMDR has been also observed in children (Rodenburg et al., 2009). The theoretical model that guides EMDR procedures, that is the Adaptive Information Processing (Shapiro, 2001), posits that the intense disturbing affects that accompany trauma leads the information processing system to fail in properly processing and storing the information (e.g., images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations associated to traumatic event) into functional memory networks. The eight-phase-structure of EMDR protocol are aimed at accessing these dysfunctionally stored information and facilitating the integration of traumatic memories, leading to their adaptive resolution (Shapiro, 2012).
In the last years, research has explored the neurobiological correlates of early and chronic traumatization, documenting the decreased functionality of cerebral regions related to the processing of emotional stimuli that resemble traumatic events. Recent research has evidenced that trauma has an important effect as a transdiagnostic risk factor for many psychological disorders.
In light of these results, we will discuss the role of early trauma in mental and physical health and the implications in clinical practice, highlighting the importance of specialized psychological interventions in primary and secondary prevention.
DEVELOPING AND DISSEMINATING NOVEL TRANSDIAGNOSTIC TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH
Allison Harvey
Professor of Clinical Psychology
Director
The Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic
University of California, Berkeley
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dr. Allison G. Harvey completed her PhD and clinical training in Sydney, Australia. She completed a postdoc and her first faculty position at the University of Oxford in the UK. Currently, she is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Harvey has practiced as a licensed clinical psychologist for more than 20 years, specializing in improving sleep health. She has published over 300 research articles and authored 3 books for therapists on sleep as well as mental illness. Her research team has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Health for two decades. Dr. Harvey is a recipient of numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sleep Research Society, the Peter Hauri Lifetime Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine as well as an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Orebro, Sweden.
Abstract
Mental health problems remain common, chronic, and difficult to treat. A promising path to improving outcomes includes the translation of basic science into interventions that are safe, powerful, and scalable.
In this talk, I will describe two programs of research.
First, we have harnessed findings from cognitive science and education to try to improve patient memory for the content of treatment. This is important as poor memory for treatment is common and is associated with worse treatment outcome. Data will be presented on the development and outcomes of a method for improving patient memory for treatment.
Second, prior research has tended to treat specific sleep problems (e.g., insomnia) in specific diagnostic groups (e.g., depression). Yet real life sleep and circadian problems are often not so neatly categorized, particularly in mental illness where features of insomnia often overlap with delayed sleep phase, irregular sleep-wake schedules, and even hypersomnia. In the hope of addressing this complexity, and grounded in basic sleep and circadian science, the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) was developed. TranS-C is transdiagnostic in two ways: It addresses a range of sleep and circadian problems across a range of mental and physical health problems. The results from two RCTs that have tested TranS-C will be described.
EJERCICIO FÍSICO Y SÍNTOMAS NEGATIVOS EN LA ESQUIZOFRENIA: ¿QUÉ ES EXACTAMENTE LO QUE SABEMOS Y HACEMOS?
Juan Fco. Rodríguez Testal
Profesor Titular de Psicopatología
Universidad de Sevilla
SPAIN
Soy doctor en Psicología, especialista en Psicoterapia, y profesor de Psicopatología clínica (Universidad de Sevilla, España). En 100 artículos científicos, 13 libros, y más de 30 capítulos de libro se resume parte de mi actividad relacionada con las psicosis, trastornos de la personalidad, envejecimiento, y alteraciones de la imagen corporal. Gran parte de mi actividad investigadora se ha dirigido al estudio de procesos mentales relacionados con el origen y consolidación del delirio (ideas de referencia, saliencia aberrante), las alucinaciones, la disociación, y variables que predicen los síntomas negativos (como la percepción de pertenencia), aparte de otras líneas de investigación, en general, sobre procesos psicopatológicos graves. Soy editor asociado de dos revistas internacionales JCR: y Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, y Frontiers in Psychology, aparte de revisor en numerosos artículos internacionales en 23 revistas JCR. También he participado y dirigido Proyectos de investigación I + D + i, y he desarrollado actividad clínica. Soy director del grupo de investigación CTS-301 Alteración Mental y Disfunción Social. En este grupo, hemos desarrollado, validado, y registrado, un software para el estudio del procesamiento autorreferencial relacionado con las psicosis (TECS, y publicado como monografía en 2021), y en la actualidad, tenemos registro de la propiedad intelectual de dos instrumentos más sobre la anticipación de los síntomas negativos (ASN) y la pérdida de vitalidad (EFEV) en las psicosis.
Abstract
Los síntomas negativos se relacionan con el pronóstico de la esquizofrenia desfavorable, y se evidencia en el funcionamiento laboral/académico, social-relacional, y del autocuidado pobres. Actualmente, el abordaje tanto farmacológico como psicológico sobre los síntomas negativos no resulta satisfactorio. Las intervenciones basadas en la actividad física parecen ser, en términos generales, beneficiosas, pero desconocemos qué formato o qué aspectos son los verdaderamente necesarios. Es posible que la persona con esquizofrenia sobreestime costes e infraestime la recompensa y el placer asociados a cualquier actividad, de manera que un buen programa de ejercicio físico puede modificar favorablemente estas asociaciones. Sin embargo, no conocemos específicamente las condiciones contextuales para que estas intervenciones sean eficaces: si los beneficios lo son en general o sobre qué indicadores específicos del funcionamiento; si el ejercicio resulta favorable porque representa también una actividad comúnmente compartida; o qué tipo específico de actividad física contribuye a incrementar el placer anticipatorio y consumatorio (componentes motivacionales clave). De hecho, más allá de los síntomas y la calidad de vida, apenas hay evidencia de si mejora la respuesta hedónica, de si el sentido de grupo o comunidad representan una ventaja inherente a sus beneficios, de si se ha evaluado el tono lúdico de las intervenciones, el papel de la alianza terapéutica o el análisis de los abandonos terapéuticos, o de si se tienen en cuenta las preferencias de la actividad física o deportiva de los participantes (p.ej., relacionado con su propia historia). En este trabajo se revisan todas las características y se propone un esquema de trabajo que ponga a prueba los beneficios de la actividad física sobre los síntomas negativos, tanto en para un programa supervisado como autoaplicado.
MODERN COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Dmitrii Kovpak
President
Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy
RUSSIA
Dmitrii Kovpak completed his PhD at the age of 34 years from North-West Medical State University named after I. I. Mechnikov, Russia. He is the president of the Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy (Russia), vice president of the Russian Psychotherapeutic Association, member of the International Advisory Committee Beck Institute cognitive behavioral therapy, board member of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He has over 200 publications. He has been serving as an editorial board member of several reputed journals.
Abstract
The challenges of the present, such as the pandemic and the escalation of armed conflicts, increase uncertainty and alarming expectations around the world. Against this background, the manifestations of various variants of anxiety disorders are increasing. Modern cognitive behavioral therapy of anxiety disorders, in addition to traditional methods, such as various types of exposure, has also begun to include work with the entire spectrum of biopsychosocial problems of patients. This is achieved by focusing on the needs and aspirations. This extension of the therapeutic approach allows not only to stop acute symptoms in the form of panic attacks, sympatho-adrenal and vago-insular crises and other vegetative and somatic hyperreactions of the human body with excessive anxiety, but also such compensatory strategies as avoidant and safety behavior. Even more importantly, this approach affects all significant factors of etiopathogenesis of anxiety disorders, allowing to focus in therapy on the mechanisms of sanogenesis, personality development and quality of life in all leading spheres of human life.
TITLE PENDING
Julio Santana Mariño
Rector
Universidad Albizu
PUERTO RICO
El Dr. Julio Santana Mariño es psicólogo licenciado. Tiene una maestría en Psicología Médica de la Universidad Central de las Villas, Cuba y un doctorado con especialidad en Psicología Clínica de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Desde el 1994 ha ejercido como Psicólogo de la Salud, especializándose en el área de cáncer de mama y condiciones crónicas de salud. Además trabaja la incidencia en política púiblica, promoviendo la integración de los psicólogos/as en equipos profesionales del sistema de salud. El doctor Santana posee una trayectoria académica de más de 20 años en universidades de Cuba, República Dominicana y Puerto Rico. En 2015 desarrolló un internado acreditado por la American Psychological Association (APA) en el consorcio de la Escuela de Medicina de Ponce, Puerto Rico, y posteriormente fue director del programa doctoral de Psicología Clínica de la Universidad Albizu. Del 2015 al 2016 fue presidente de la Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico. Se ha destacado además en el desarrollo de intervenciones clínicas-comunitarias en situaciones de desastres y formó parte del Comité designado por el Gobernador de Puerto Rico para desarrollar acciones dirigidas a atender el estado de emergencia decretado ante la situación de violencia de género en el país. Desde el año 2017 ocupa el cargo de Rector de la Universidad Albizu, desde donde ha promovido los procesos de acreditación de la APA, las prácticas basadas en evidencia y la integración de las nuevas tecnologías en la formación psicológica. Recientemente se ha unido a los esfuerzos de la Global South Network de la División 52 de APA para facilitar el intercambio académico, científico y profesional entre la universidad Albizu, la Sociedad Interamericana de Psicología y la Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico.
TERAPIA RACIONAL EMOTIVA CONDUCTUAL (TREC) PARA CONSULTANTES CULTURALMENTE DIVERSOS: CONSIDERACIONES CLÍNICAS
María Celeste Airaldi
President
International Association for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
IAREBT
Psicóloga Clínica, psicoterapeuta. Especialista en TREC y TCC. Presidente de la Internacional Association for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (IAREBT). Vicepresidente de la Federación Latinoamericana de Psicoterapias Cognitivas y Conductuales (ALAPCCO). Directora del Centro Especializado en Psicología Sensorium, en Paraguay. Docente de grado en la Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Paraguay).
Abstract
Con la difusión de los servicios de psicoterapia online y el aumento de la migración, se ha hecho cada vez más frecuente que los psicoterapeutas se encuentren con consultantes que poseen antecedentes socioculturales diferentes a los del profesional. Esto, cuando no es bien abordado, puede tener un impacto negativo sobre el vínculo terapéutico y los resultados clínicos. En este punto, la TREC es una psicoterapia global que, cuando se tienen en cuenta ciertas consideraciones de la práctica clínica, puede ser especialmente útil para abordar relaciones terapéuticas donde existe diversidad cultural. En esta presentación se pondrá énfasis en las consideraciones clínicas a tener en cuenta, incluyendo ejemplos prácticos y análisis de casos.
PSICOTERAPIA Y TECNOLOGÍA, QUÉ CAMBIA Y QUE PERDURA DEL PROCESO TERAPÉUTICO CUANDO INCORPORAMOS NUEVAS TECNOLOGÍAS
Andrés Roussos
President
Society for Psychotherapy Research
SPR
Andres Roussos es Doctor en Psicología Clínica de la Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina, y se desempeña en el IPEHCS, Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales del Conicet y la Universidad del Comahue, en la ciudad de Bariloche, Argentina.
Actualmente, es el presidente de la Sociedad para la Investigación en Psicoterapia (SPR), Director del Laboratorio de Psicología y Tecnología de la Información y Comunicación (LIPSTIC), fundador y exdirector del Equipo de Investigación en Psicología Clínica (EIPSI) de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina).
Su investigación se centra principalmente en los factores relacionados con el proceso y el impacto de la psicoterapia, incluidas las variables de relación paciente terapeuta (alianza terapéutica, las variables interpersonales de paciente y terapeuta, las intervenciones terapéuticas (por ejemplo, tipologías de intervención) y la percepción del cambio por parte del paciente (por ejemplo, cambio significativos). En los últimos años, se ha orientado al estudio y la incorporación de la tecnología en la psicoterapia, apoyando el desarrollo y evaluación de distintos tipos de dispositivos, como pueden ser chatbots, machine learning e IA y dispositivos EMA en entornos naturales.
Ha participado en programas de formación e investigación en el Departamento de Psicoterapia de la Universidad de Ulm (Alemania), así como en programas de posdoctorado, llevando a cabo estudios de investigación en el Instituto Glass de la Universidad Adelphi (Estados Unidos) y en la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Como profesor ha ejercido como profesor en universidades de Argentina, Chile, Uruguay y Estados Unidos.
Desarrolla su carrera científica como investigador principal en CONICET (Argentina) y es miembro del Capítulo de Investigación de la Sociedad Argentina de Psicoanálisis, la Sociedad Internacional de Salud Mental en Línea (ISMHO) y la Sociedad para la Investigación en Psicoterapia (SPR), de la cual fue Presidente de su Capítulo Latinoamericano (2010-2013).
Ha publicado más de 100 artículos en revistas científicas, 2 libros y once capítulos de libros en español, portugués e inglés. Ha contribuido en la organización de varios Congresos y Conferencias internacionales y ha formado parte de comités de evaluación de becas de posgrado, premios internacionales, proyectos de investigación y carreras científicas profesionales.
Ha recibido numerosos premios y distinciones internacionales, así como becas de posgrado del Servicio Alemán de Intercambio Académico (DAAD), becas doctorales de la Universidad de Belgrano y becas de posdoctorado (de la Comisión Fulbright y CONICET).
Abstract
La incorporación de la tecnología en la psicoterapia ha tenido un rápido crecimiento y reconocimiento en los últimos años. Sin embargo, este fenómeno no es reciente, ni surge simplemente como una imposición del contexto social; ya que tiene una historia y características propias, a la vez que es promovido y desarrollado por redes internacionales de desarrollo de tecnología. En este artículo, se exploran diversos usos de la tecnología en el ámbito psicoterapéutico, abarcando desde su aplicación en la investigación en psicoterapia hasta su papel en la gestión de tratamientos mediante plataformas, la incorporación de Apps a los tratamientos psicoterapéuticos o tecnologías diseñadas para operar sin la presencia de un psicoterapeuta.
Se evalúan distintas tecnologías utilizadas, que incluyen aplicaciones web, realidad mixta, tecnologías EMA, entre otras.
Uno de los desafíos fundamentales radica en el poco acceso al financiamiento para proyectos que permitan nuevos desarrollos tecnológicos en psicoterapia, lo que resulta en la participación limitada de equipos de trabajo en esta área o en desarrollos que quedan abandonados por falta de recursos para su mantenimiento.
Entre los retos fundamentales se encuentran la difusión de los desarrollos, su crecimiento restringido y la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de los dispositivos creados.
Nuestra propuesta es la creación de redes de trabajos regionales e internacionales configuradas como nodos que permitan una optimización de los recursos y las tareas. Estos nodos permitirían mejorar nuestra capacidad de desarrollo difusión y mantenimiento de las tecnologías, evitando redundancias y minimizando costos en términos de esfuerzo y recursos económicos destinados a las nuevas tecnologías en psicoterapia.
TITLE PENDING
Amanda Clinton
Senior Director of Office of International Affairs
American Psychological Association (APA)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Amanda Clinton, MEd, PhD, is the senior director for the APA’s Office of International Affairs. Prior to joining the APA, she specialized in culturally relevant program adaptation, social emotional learning and neuropsychology, notably of bilingualism. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and a credentialed school psychologist with experience in community clinics, pediatric hospitals, schools, academic settings, and public policy. Her scholarly work includes publication of “Integrated Assessment of the Bilingual Child” and numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, as well as associate editorship of several journals. She has won many professional awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Educator of the Year Award and a AAAS Congressional Fellowship which she completed in the office of Senator Chris Murphy, D-C.T., where she helped write the Mental Health Reform Act. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Washington and her doctoral degree at the University of Georgia.
AVANCES EN EL DIAGNÓSTICO Y EVALUACIÓN DE LA DEPRESIÓN
Gualberto Buela-Casal
Catedrático de Psicología Clínica
Presidente de la AEPC
SPAIN
Gualberto Buela-Casal, Licenciado en Psicología por la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Doctor en Psicología por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, fue Investigador del CIDE, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia y profesor de la Universidad de Málaga, Universidad de Jaén, University of California y Universidad de Granada. Ha publicado más de 20 libros y más de 200 artículos en revistas científicas, en su mayoría en revistas indexadas en el Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Ha dirigido 30 tesis doctorales. Fue fundador y director de un Programa de Posgrado con Mención de Calidad: Diseños de Investigación y Aplicaciones en Psicología y Salud, el cual fue distinguido con el Premio Internacional AUIP a la Calidad del Doctorado. Fundador de la Cátedra de Investigación del Sueño de la Universidad de Granada. Actualmente es Presidente de la Asociación Española de Psicología Cognitivo Conductual. Recientemente ha sido incluido en el Ranking de la Universidad de Stanford como uno de los científicos más influyentes del mundo.
Abstract
La depresión es el trastorno psicológico con mayor prevalencia, según la OMS afecta a un 10% de la población. Sin embargo, su diagnóstico y evaluación están en función del criterio dimensional o categorial, de criterios diagnósticos en el sistema CIE o DSM. Por ello, uno de los problemas en el diagnóstico es la ausencia de criterios consensuados en relación con cuáles son los síntomas característicos de este trastorno, en especial por lo que se refiere a la alta comorbilidad y a la presencia de síntomas que se comparten con otras entidades clínicas.
Existen multitud de instrumentos diagnósticos, pero ninguno integral que mida todos los grupos de síntomas. Por ello, estamos desarrollando un proyecto para crear un instrumento integral de diagnóstico que evalúa los cinco grupos de síntomas (Afectivos, Conductuales, Cognitivos, Somáticos e Interpersonales). Se trata del Test de Evaluación Clínica de la Depresión TECD.
Este Test permite un diagnóstico preciso pues “rastrea” todos los síntomas y posibilita tener una puntuación global en el diagnóstico de la depresión y además una puntuación para cada factor (grupo de síntomas). Esto es muy importante pues permite un diagnóstico diferencial de cada paciente y por tanto, saber sobre que síntomas trabajar en el tratamiento, es decir, no es solo una información cuantitativa (puntuación global en depresión) sino también cualitativa (que grupos de síntomas son los afectados y por tanto, deben ser tratados).
DIAGNOSIS VS FORMULATION IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY – IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Nimisha Kumar
President
Indian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (IACBT)
President
Asian Association For Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ACBTA)
ASIA
Dr Nimisha Kumar is a Senior Consultant Psychologist, CBT therapist, academician, entrepreneur and trainer based in New Delhi. She has a PhD in Psychology from University of Delhi and an MSc in CBT as well as a PG Cert in Clinical Supervision from University of Derbyshire, UK. She is a Commonwealth Scholarship holder.
Dr. Kumar is the Founder & President of the Indian Association for CBT (IACBT), Founder-Director of Ascend-PsyCare and President of the Asian CBTs Association (ACBTA). She is also a Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural & Social Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram.
Dr. Kumar has over 20 years of experience in CBT practice, teaching, training and research. She organized the first ever CBT Conference in India in 2015. She specializes in the CBT treatment for common mental disorders as well as couples’ issues. One of her special focus areas of research has been the Cultural Adaptation of CBT in the Indian context. She has a special interest in early childhood development and qualitative research.
Dr. Kumar provides CBT sessions as well as training and supervision to students and professionals from diverse backgrounds in both online and offline modes.
Abstract
Being able to carry out a robust assessment and coherent conceptualisation of psychological problems are important foundations for delivering effective interventions. The practice of psycho-diagnostic assessment in Clinical Psychology often leads to an excessive focus on diagnostic labels, pathologizing of emotional problems as well as a ‘copy-paste’ approach to intervention. There are several conceptual and contextual reasons that lead up to this focus on psychopathology in Clinical Psychology.
Although diagnostic skills are perceived to be highly desirable in the armamentarium of Clinical Psychologists, yet, practically seen, there are fewer benefits and more costs of following a diagnostic approach to understanding and treating psychological difficulties.
To some extent due to recognition of the limitations of diagnosis in mental health, the concept of formulation or case conceptualization has attracted increasing interest in recent years. In addition, evidence-based psychotherapies are largely conceptualisation-driven. Therefore, in contemporary times, Clinical Psychologists may become more effective in dealing with psychological distress by from moving out of the shadows of a psychopathology driven focus to a more human-centric approach, so as to cater to a largely heterogenous population.
THE CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF TIME CONSTRUCTS: PREVENTING MALADJUSTMENT AND INTERVENING IN SOCIOEMOTIONAL DISTRESS
Frank C. Worrell
Distinguished Professor
University of California, Berkeley
Past President
American Psychological Association (APA)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dr. Phil. (Honoris Causa), Faculty of Behavioral and Cultural Studies, Heidelberg University, Germany, 2023
Ph.D., Education (Educational & School Psychology), University of California, Berkeley, 1994
Distinguished Professor, School Psychology Program, UC Berkeley, 2020 – present
Professor, Heidelberg University, Germany, 2023 –
President, American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, and the Association for Psychological Science
Member, Society for the Study of School Psychology
Member, National Academy of Education
Abstract
Several influential psychologists referenced time perspective in their theoretical formulations, including Erik Erikson, Kurt Lewin, and Jean Piaget. According to Division 12 of the American Psychological Association—that is, the Society of Clinical Psychology—clinical psychology has implications “for understanding, predicting, and alleviating intellectual, emotional, and biological, psychological, social, and behavioral maladjustment, disability and discomfort” (https://div12.org/mission-statement/). In this presentation, Dr. Worrell will provide an overview of current research showcasing several time constructs, such as hope and time attitudes, and their associations with adaptive (conscientiousness, coping, self-efficacy) and maladaptive functioning (e.g., anxiety, depression, perceived stress), and clinical diagnoses.
PRACTICAL LECTURES
INTEGRITY OF SELF VIA PRACTICING ARTS OF CHINESE IN THE ERA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Han Buxin
Professor
The Institute of Psychology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
CHINA
Buxin Han, Professor, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IPCAS); PhD (1993, IPCAS); Professor, Department of Psychology, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Former President, Chinese Psychological Society (CPS); Vice President, China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (CAGG); President, Asian Psychological Society (APsyA); President, Division of Cognitive Gerontology, and former Secretary-General, International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP).
He has conducted research on the psychology of ageing, cultural psychology of religion, and color perception. He has received research grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST), Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Natural Social Science Foundation of China (NSSFC), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He has published over 200 scientific articles in peer review journals in Chinese and English.
He is active in Chinese and international academic organizations. He joined the international work group for the development of “The International Declaration of Core Competences in Professional Psychology,” which was adopted by IAAP in 2016. He has attended over seventy international conferences in the past 30years. He has organized the annual Sino-American Bilateral Conference on Cultural Psychology of Religion since 2007.
Abstract
Arts of Chinese (e.g., calligraphy, painting, seal cutting, poetry etc.) has been practiced over thousand years in China，from childhood right to lifelong at a daily basis. It helped innumerous Chinese scholars as effective personal cultivating practice, for cognitive reappraisal, and daily life settings (e.g., art works in the studio, dining room, office, meeting rooms, etc.) in aiming for mind flow and even a flourishing. It provided effective way for wholistic development and integrated personal health maintaining and promoting practice in thousands years, through skills (技) enhancing, collective consciousness cultivating (术), and understanding the meaning of existence (道).
This presentation will focus on the cultivation and combination of four types of self (ego-centered, socio-center, eco-center, cosmos-center; Kirmayer, 2007) in comparison with Confucius vision of life (志于道、据于德、依于仁、游于艺, set personal heart on the Tao，map on universal virtue，lean upon human-heartedness，and seek relaxation and enjoyment in the six arts) which was proposed over 500 BC; in addition to discuss daily enjoyment in the arts of Chinese. Model of integrated development and Model of cultural practice for mind flow and flourishing were proposed and verified to some extent, in this regard.
The beneficial for maintaining mental health and related neurobiological evidences through practicing Chinese calligraphy (using an imitation task of Chinese calligraphic handwriting with self-rated subjective flow experience) has been provided by preliminary studies (Wang et al, 2023).
THE DIRT ROAD TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: DISGUST-BASED MECHANISMS AND THEIR RELEVANCE FOR THERAPY
Peter de Jong
Professor of Experimental Psychopathology
University of Groningen
NETHERLANDS
Peter J. de Jong graduated at Maastricht University (1994), and is currently full professor of Experimental Psychopathology (since 2003) at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). By combining experimental lab-based designs with (pre)clinical intervention studies his research program focusses on delineating transdiagnostic factors and mechanisms that contribute to the development and persistence of various disorders including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunctions. One of his research lines concerns the role of disgust and disgust-based mechanisms in psychopathology and their implications for treatment.
Abstract
Disgust is a defensive emotion that is characterized by pervasive avoidance and escape tendencies. Although disgust is typically conceptualized as an adaptive emotion, it can become highly dysfunctional when it is elicited by “the wrong” stimuli, when the threshold for experiencing disgust is (too) low, or when people experience feelings of disgust as being highly aversive. Until recently, disgust received only scant attention in clinical psychological science and has even been framed as “the forgotten emotion in psychopathology”. This situation is changing with a rapidly growing scientific interest in disgust as a relevant factor in mental disorders. This presentation will provide a concise review of this emerging research, illustrate how disgust-based mechanisms might contribute to the development and persistence of various disorders (e.g., eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, sexual dysfunctions), and will put emphasis on the potential implications for clinical interventions.
TRATANDO UN CASO CON DIFERENTES PSICOPATOLOGÍAS USANDO LA TERAPIA BASADA EN PROCESOS
Olivia Gamarra
Presidenta
Academia Paraguaya de Psicología Cognitivo Conductual
PARAGUAY
Es Doctora en Psicología por la Universidad De Palermo, Buenos Aires. Pos graduada en Psicopatología por la Universidad de Barcelona, España.
Terapeuta de adultos en Sensorium Paraguay y docente de grado y pos grados. Las líneas de investigación y publicación científica versan sobre protocolos bien establecidos en contextos locales.
Autora de capítulos de libros sobre trastornos de ansiedad y depresión. Traductora y revisora técnica de libros de psicología de idiomas extranjeros al español.
Presidente de la Academia Paraguaya de Psicología Cognitiva y Conductual y editora adjunta de la Revista Brasileña de Terapias Comportamentales y Cognitivas.
Abstract
La Terapia Basada en Procesos (TBP) desarrollada por Steven Hayes y Stefan Hofmann proponen una manera nueva de pensar el proceso psicoterapéutico, desde la conceptualización psicopatológica hasta el tratamiento, usando como guía un enfoque de pensamiento basado en redes complejas y reuniendo lo que mejor se sabe actualmente tanto sobre mecanismos de cambio así como de intervenciones o módulos de tratamiento, integrados en un Metamodelo Evolutivo Extendido (MMEE). En este workshop se pretende mostrar cómo se trabaja un caso con diferentes psicopatologías o “comorbilidades” usando la TBP.
EMPRENDIMIENTOS SOLIDARIOS Y ATENCIÓN EN SALUD MENTAL EN POBLACIÓN RURAL EN COLOMBIA
Carlos Enrique Garavito Ariza
Coordinador de la Comisión Nacional de Políticas Públicas
Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos
COLOMBIA
Psicólogo. Magister. Docente Universitario. Investigador. Consultor en desarrollo de pruebas psicológicas y políticas públicas en bienestar psicosocial. Representante del campo de psicología clínica y Coordinador de la comisión Nacional de Política Pública del Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos.
Abstract
Este proyecto se enfoca en la población rural debido a las dificultades que enfrentan en materia de acceso a servicios de salud mental y bienestar emocional. Se busca generar espacios seguros y acogedores para que los habitantes de la zona puedan abordar sus preocupaciones y mejorar su calidad de vida. Es así que este proyecto busca mejorar la salud mental y el bienestar emocional de la población rural a través de diversas acciones y la implementación de un modelo de emprendimiento solidario. Se espera lograr un impacto positivo y sostenible en la zona y generar un cambio significativo en la calidad de vida de sus habitantes. En cuanto al modelo de emprendimiento solidario que se empleará, se buscará la generación de ingresos mediante la venta de productos y servicios, pero con un enfoque en la reinversión de las ganancias en el crecimiento y consolidación del proyecto. En cuanto al modelo de emprendimiento solidario que se empleará, se buscará la generación de ingresos mediante la venta de productos y servicios, pero con un enfoque en la reinversión de las ganancias en el crecimiento y consolidación del proyecto. Además, se buscarán alianzas con organizaciones e instituciones que compartan los mismos valores y objetivos. La implementación de este modelo de emprendimiento solidario se basará en la capacitación y empoderamiento de los miembros de la comunidad rural, brindándoles habilidades empresariales y apoyo técnico para la producción y comercialización de sus productos y servicios. Se establecerán programas de formación en áreas como agricultura sostenible, artesanía local, servicios de apoyo emocional y otros sectores relevantes para la comunidad.
HOW2SLEEP? IMPLEMENTATION ON CBT-I IN PRIMARY CARE
Ellen Excelmans
Past President
Flemish Association for Behavioural Therapy (VVGT)
BELGIUM
Ellen Excelmans is a clinical psychologist and behavior therapist. She has her own practice and serves as the coordinator of Psychologennet, a network of psychologists. Additionally, she works as a project coordinator at the Flemish Association of Clinical Psychologists (VVKP).
Abstract
Insomnia is a significant health problem with a negative impact on people's quality of life. Research estimates that about 30% of adults suffer from insomnia. In Belgium, this has led to a high consumption of sleep medication: 13% of adults used sleep aids in 2018. During the COVID-19 crisis, this figure increased to 21%. However, the treatment guideline for insomnia recommends a non-pharmacological approach.
In this lecture, I present a project from the EBpractice plan in which we aim to align daily practice with the recommendations of the treatment guideline. We focus on enhancing the expertise of general practitioners and other healthcare providers (such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses, psychologists, etc.) in behavioral interventions through process facilitation, education, training, and supervision.
40 INCREDIBLE YEARS: MULTICULTURAL COLLABORATION TO DELIVER THE INCREDIBLE YEARS (IY) PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S WELLBEING
Carolyn Webster-Stratton
Professor and Director of the Parenting Clinic
University of Washington
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Carolyn Webster-Stratton, MS, MPH, PhD, Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington, is a licensed clinical psychologist and pediatric nurse practitioner, and the founder of the Incredible Years Series for Parents, Children, and Teachers. She has conducted numerous RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of programs for promoting social and emotional competence, school readiness skills and preventing conduct problems in high-risk populations. She has also evaluated teacher, parent and child treatment programs for children diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and ADHD. The Incredible Years programs have been delivered in more than 24 countries, in 10 languages. Dr. Webster-Stratton has published numerous scientific articles and chapters as well as books for parents, teachers, therapists and children. She has received the National Mental Health Lela Rowland Prevention Award; National Mental Health Research Scientist Award; Dale Richmond/Justin Coleman Lectureship Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics; Trailblazer Award from Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies; Distinguished Career Award from APA Society of Clinical and Adolescent Psychology, and a Doctor Honoris Causa from the Université de Sherbrooke.
Abstract
This presentation will provide an overview of IY program delivery, with an emphasis on the concept of affirming diversity. I will discuss what is encompassed in transporting IY programs to different cultural groups and countries, including assuring quality translations of parent handouts. With the aim of enhancing understanding of what constitutes an evidence-based program, I will review different IY parent programs as exemplars, and summarize research outcomes in terms of how they promote children’s wellbeing. This presentation will also provide an overview of the important components of IY program implementation and how it is tailored with fidelity to different cultural groups. To do this, video vignette examples will be shared, demonstrating tailoring of program delivery to promote children’s wellbeing.
DEATH ANXIETY: WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR ITS ROLE IN MENTAL ILLNESS?
Rachel Menzies
School of Psychology
The University of Sydney
AUSTRALIA
Dr Rachel Menzies is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, where she completed her Honours, Masters and PhD degrees in psychology. In addition to her academic work, Rachel is a clinical psychologist and director of the Menzies Anxiety Centre, which she established to improve access to psychological treatment for death anxiety. In 2021, Rachel won the national PhD Prize from the Australian Psychological Society for her work on death anxiety and mental health. The following year, she was also awarded a national Early Career Research Award by the Australian Psychological Society. Rachel has published five books on the topic of existential issues. Her book “Mortals” was awarded national and international book prizes, including the Nib People’s Choice Literary Award, and the 2023 American Psychological Association’s William James Book Award.
Abstract
Death anxiety has achieved growing interest for its possible role in underpinning various mental health concerns. Understanding the role of death anxiety in mental health, and principles for addressing it in treatment, has been argued to be essential to helping people achieve stable, long-term recovery. But what is the evidence for its role in mental illness? This keynote will provide an up-to-date summary of the latest findings regarding death anxiety and mental health. It will evaluate the role of death anxiety in different disorders, and will also review the current evidence regarding treatment techniques and efficacy.
SOCRATIC QUESTIONING 2.0: USING THE HEAD AND THE HEART FOR LASTING CHANGE
Scott Waltman
Center for Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy
President of the Academy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
IACBT
Scott Waltman, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinician, international trainer, and practice-based researcher. His interests include evidence-based psychotherapy practice, training, and implementation in systems that provide care to underserved populations. He is president-elect of the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies. He is also a board member of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. He is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Waltman, worked as a CBT trainer for one of Dr. Aaron Beck’s CBT implementation teams in the Philadelphia public mental health system. Currently, he works as a clinical psychologist in private practice and a managed care system, where he is a frontline clinician and practice-based researcher.
Abstract
This session focuses on presenting a modern and integrative model for Socratic Questioning that extends beyond purely rational discourse. Socratic Questioning is a critical skill across several evidence-based practices, serving as an element of an effective and empathically attuned rapport. Effective Socratic discourse is much more than reading a list of questions or challenging cognitive distortions. Presenters discuss Socratic processes in a flexible manner that can be applied to a variety of treatment approaches. Themes and strategies from modern cognitive therapies such as dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, and emotion focused therapy are integrated into a robust model. The talk will focus on applied case examples.
EL FORTALECIMIENTO DEL YO COMO ESTRATEGIA TERAPÉUTICA EN LOS CELOS PATOLÓGICOS
Rodrigo Mazo Zea
Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Psicología (ASCOFAPSI)
COLOMBIA
Psicólogo, especialista en Terapia Cognitiva de la Universidad de San Buenaventura de Medellín, Colombia, doctor en Psicología de la Universidad Católica de Argentina. Profesor titular, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Medellín, director de la Facultad de Psicología de la UPB (2007-2022), Presidente de la Asociación Colombiana de Terapia Cognitiva (2002-2015), miembro de la junta directiva de la Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Psicología, ASCOFAPSI (2020-2024), miembro del consejo directivo del Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos (2017-2020), secretario ejecutivo para América del Sur de la Sociedad Interamericana de Psicología (2010-2013; 2019-2021), Psicoterapeuta cognitivo conductual con más de 30 años de experiencia clínica.
Abstract
Desde el modelo cognitivo conductual se plantea que, en el núcleo informacional de las personas con celos patológicos, se presenta un esquema de abandonabilidad, relacionado con una débil percepción de sí mismo, una subvaloración personal y una alta dependencia emocional, que llevan a una manifiesta desconfianza hacia la pareja. Se propone un proceso integral de intervención, en el que se revisan las estrategias de afrontamiento del sujeto, que son variables mantenedoras del problema; los pensamientos automáticos, buscando un control racional sobre los mismos; el fortalecimiento del Yo para trabajar la irresponsabilidad emocional y fomentar la autonomía del paciente; y el control emocional, para manejar las reacciones ligadas a la percepción de vulnerabilidad. Se plantean los componentes propios del modelo de intervención, desde la relación terapéutica y las técnicas tanto de debate como experienciales, a considerar en el proceso.
CÓMO HACER UNA REVISIÓN SISTEMÁTICA EN CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD
Alejandro Guillén Riquelme
Investigador Senior
Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU)
SPAIN
Licenciado en psicología en la Universidad Miguel Hernández (Elche). Máster Universitario en Diseños de Investigación y Aplicaciones en Psicología y Salud (2007-2008), Universidad de Granada. Doctor en Psicología, cum laude en la Universidad de Granada. Trabajó durante años en el Centro de Investigación Mente, Cerebro y Comportamiento (CIMCYC), de la Universidad de Granada. Actualmente es Investigador Senior en la Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU). Profesor de diversos másteres, siendo además miembro de la Comisión Académica y de Calidad del Máster Universitario en Psicología Jurídica y Forense. A nivel curricular, ha participado en múltiples Proyectos de Investigación y ha presentado comunicaciones en congresos tanto nacionales, como internacionales. Tiene 60 artículos publicados en su mayoría en revistas con factor de impacto en el JCR. En dichos artículos hay 13 que se sitúan en el primer cuartil . . Además, entre sus publicaciones destacan un artículo publicado en Psicothema que se ha situado como el 6º artículo con mayor número de citas en dicha revista en la década 2008-2018 (ver http://www.psicothema.com/pdf/23P.pdf), lo cual es muestra del impacto de dicho trabajo. Paralelamente a esta publicación, el autor ha actualizado la baremación y manual del STAI en TEA Ediciones. Sus investigaciones se centran en aspectos clínicos, psicométricos, de evaluación psicológica y meta-análisis, ya que ha publicado una decena de artículos de revisión sitemática. Forma parte del Laboratorio del Sueño y Promoción de la Salud de dicha universidad y del grupo de investigación CTS-261.
Abstract
La revisión sistemática es una metodología clave en la investigación en ciencias de la salud, y las directrices PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) proporcionan un marco detallado para su realización.
Una revisión sistemática es un enfoque riguroso y transparente para reunir y sintetizar la evidencia científica disponible sobre un tema específico en ciencias de la salud. Utiliza una metodología estructurada que busca minimizar el sesgo y maximizar la validez de los resultados. Las directrices PRISMA establecen pautas claras para la planificación, ejecución y presentación de una revisión sistemática de alta calidad.
El proceso de revisión sistemática implica varias etapas. En primer lugar, se realiza una exhaustiva búsqueda bibliográfica para lo que se requiere una adecuada ecuación de búsqueda, una selección de bases y una serie de pasos para garantizar la replicabilidad. Luego, se aplican criterios de inclusión y exclusión para seleccionar los estudios adecuados. Los datos extraídos de los estudios seleccionados se analizan y se realiza una síntesis de la evidencia.
Además de ello, se presentarán aspectos claves como la evaluación del riesgo de sesgo, la presentación adecuada de los resultados y la redacción de manuscritos.
TERAPIA DE ACEPTACIÓN Y COMPROMISO APLICADA A SOBREVIVIENTES DE CÁNCER CON TRASTORNO DE ANSIEDAD GENERALIZADA
M. de los Angeles Briganti
Presidenta
Asociación de Psicooncología de Chile
CHILE
Psicóloga Clínica, Magister en psicología clínica. Postitulo en terapia cognitivo conductual. Diplomado en psicooncología.
Psico-oncóloga Fundación Arturo lopez Perez.
Presidenta de la Asociación de Psicooncología de Chile
Docente de pregrado y postgrado de la carrera de psicología de la Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello.
Abstract
Es frecuente observar sintomatología ansiosa en personas sobrevivientes de un cáncer, esta sintomatología suele asociarse a un mayor deterioro en la calidad de vida, generando alteraciones en; la imagen corporal, cognitivas, funcionamiento sexual, entre otros. La misma experiencia y el temor a revivir la experiencia de enfermedad suele desencadenar en los pacientes un trastorno de ansiedad generalizada.
Se ha evidenciado que la terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT) favorece la flexibilidad conductual, lo que permite a los pacientes un mayor repertorio de recursos para afrontar malestar emocional que genera el trastorno de evitación experiencial.
Esta sesión aplicada tiene por objetivo mostrar la aplicación de la ACT en pacientes sobrevivientes de cáncer que han presentado un trastorno de ansiedad generalizada.
CONCEPTUALIZACIÓN Y AFRONTAMIENTO DEL PERFECCIONISMO DESDE LA TERAPIA RACIONAL EMOTIVA CONDUCTUAL COMO ABORDAJE TRANSDIAGNÓSTICO
Natalia Ferrero Delgado
Presidenta
Asociación Peruana de Terapias Cognitivo-Conductuales
PERU
Directora y fundadora de Psicotrec Perú, acreditado por la International Association for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (IAREBT). Psicóloga de la Universidad de Lima y psicoterapeuta especializada en Terapia Racional Emotiva Conductual (TREC) en el Albert Ellis Institute. Docente de postgrado, psicoterapeuta y supervisora en TREC y TCC con más de 20 años de experiencia. Máster en Terapias Psicológicas de Tercera Generación por la Universidad de Valencia, España. Entrenada en Terapia Cognitiva en el Beck Institute. Miembro Fundador, del Consejo Directivo y actual Chair del Comité de entrenamiento y certificación de la IAREBT. Presidente de la Asociación Peruana de Terapias Cognitivo-Conductuales, ASPETECC, representante en Perú de ALAPCCO, del cual es además miembro de su Consejo Directivo. Coautora del libro "SOS Materiales y Recursos Terapéuticos TREC y TCC” y autora de capítulos de libros en TREC y TCC en español, inglés y portugués. Ha ofrecido conferencias, cursos y certificaciones en Terapia TREC y TCC en Perú, Latinoamérica y Europa.
Abstract
El perfeccionismo es el esfuerzo exagerado por lograr la perfección en una o más áreas de nuestra vida. Si bien esforzarse por alcanzar altos estándares y trabajar para ello no resulta problemático, cuando este esfuerzo se basa en exigencias absolutas e irracionales sumadas a una aceptación condicional con base a nuestro desempeño, favorece y mantiene un numero de trastornos psicológicos, pudiendo incluso complicar el tratamiento y contribuir a las resistencias del consultante. Durante esta conferencia, los participantes podrán conocer cómo conceptualizar el perfeccionismo desde el modelo de la Terapia Racional Emotiva Conductual (TREC) y como un factor transdiagnóstico asociado a diferentes problemáticas clínicas. Asimismo se expondrán las principales estrategias y consideraciones para su abordaje y eficacia, promoviendo la autoaceptación incondicional y una mirada más compasiva de uno mismo como ser humano.
FANON'S EMANCIPATION WITHIN THE PSYCHOTHERAPY ROOM
Daniel den Hollander
President
The South African Society for Clinical Psychology (SASCP)
SOUTH AFRICA
Daniel den Hollander is a clinical psychologist who has worked in specialised mental health care, both in the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in voluntary, involuntary, and forensic treatment care, Complex PTSD and co-occuring addiction work. He has chaired the Psychology Professionals in Public Service Division of PsySSA from 2016-2021. During his term, PiPS became an established voice within parliamental NHI discussions and building key stakeholder relationships with other government departments (e.g. DBE, SARS). He is currently on the Executive Council of PsySSA, whereby he is serving his two year term and the current chair of the South African Society of Clinical Psychologists Division of PsySSA.
He is an activist for mental health care in South Africa. He is specifically interested in the effects of structural violence and developing South African Psychology. He is passionate about cultivating and promoting empowerment and change: may it be in the therapy room, on radio, at governmental stakeholder meetings, or at conferences. He is a regular feature on the radio airwaves, and contributor for the Mail & Guardian and Daily Maverick
Abstract
Psychology has a turbulent history within the South African context. Within the historical socio-political context, Psychology has been used as the bridesmaid of justifying colonialism. Verwoerd, a psychologist himself, designed a society primed on prejudice and greed to both colonise the mind and the communal identity of our citizens. Like a phoenix, Psychology has been present in the liberation struggle, through the works of Sobukwe, Biko and Black Consciousness, CODESA and TRC, and through the formation of PsySSA. One can say that Psychology embodies the struggle of humanity of South Africans. However, the effects of a traumatised post-colonial society are very much still visible within a South African context: gross economic inequality, nutritional deficiency, poor sanitation and housing, and a poor public health sector. In the words of Gordon Lewis: “there can be no hope for [mental health] efforts of normalisation in an abnormal society … prognosis was for the transformation of the abnormal society, which would enable a normal subject to be also a healthy one” (2015:80). These effects directly impact the success and relevance for the individual entering the therapy room. If mental health can be conceived as freedom from symptoms, then mental health must include freedom from the effects of these structural violences. According to Fanon, emancipation is achieved through agency, and cannot be given. He suggests that this is achieved through “emancipatory therapeutic methods of liberation”. This presentation examines the effects of structural violence within psychotherapy and critically explores what emancipatory therapeutic methods of liberation would look like within the context of the therapy room.
Collaborators
©2024 by XXII INTERNATIONAL and XVII NATIONAL CONGRESS of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY