The 1st International Meeting of the WPA Psychotherapy Section (WPA Co-sponsored Conference Zone 16) recently took place in conjunction with the 23rd Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine in Kuala Lumpur, 11-13 July 2019. Generously welcomed by Malaysian Psychiatric Association president, Hazli Zakaria, the Section was given generous space in the wider Congress program with the Association also managing all venue and registration requirements. WPA President, Helen Herrman, President-Elect, Afzal Javed and Secretary for Scientific Sections, Thomas G Schulze encouraged the collaborative endeavour.
A rich program developed by Psychotherapy Section Chair, César A. Alfonso together with co-chair, Allan Tasman was enjoyed by almost 500 attendees from around the world. Close to 100 delegates from 20 countries presented plenaries, symposia and workshops on "Evidence-based Psychotherapies”. Presentations focused on research, cultural adaptations of psychotherapies, and integration of treatment modalities, with attention to special populations and public health needs.
WPA Executive Committee members Roy Kallivayalil, Michel Botbol and Roger Ng gave prominent presentations, with Reham Aly (Egypt), Saman Tavakoli (Iran), Constantine Della (Philippines), and Rizky Aniza Winanda (Indonesia) also included among the plenary speakers.
Section leaders and conference registrants are already looking forward to the next meeting which the Philippine Psychiatric Association has generously offered to host in 2021. Plans are also in the works for the 2022 meeting which will be hosted by the Egyptian Association for CBT. In the meantime, WPA Psychotherapy Section leaders look forward to participating in intersectional academic activities during the forthcoming WPA World Congresses of Psychiatry in Lisbon and Bangkok.
César A. Alfonso, M.D.
Chair, World Psychiatric Association Psychotherapy Section