The WPA Psychotherapy Section provides a forum for the collegial exchange of diverse ideas and theoretical constructs for the advancement of the practice, training and research on psychotherapy treatments within psychiatry. Our section members participate in WPA sponsored publications and presentations at regional and international conferences. We collaborate with other WPA sections to promote education and expertise of psychotherapy skill sets at all levels.

 

The WPA Psychotherapy Section goals include to:

1. Provide a forum for constructive exchange of ideas for psychiatrists who are practicing a variety of psychotherapy treatment modalities.

2. Study core factors, commonalities and differences among psychotherapies.

3. Coordinate, through intersectional collaborations, presentations, publications and similar activities in regional and international WPA meetings.

4. Determine standards for competency in psychotherapy that is adequate for the practice of psychiatry.

5. Explore innovative ways of teaching and assessing psychotherapy competency.

6. Disseminate important advances in psychotherapy theory and technique.

7. Innovatively use computer-assisted technologies to advance psychotherapy practice.

8. Explore ways of meeting psychotherapeutic needs of diverse populations in an economical and culturally sensitive way.

9. Understand the biological underpinnings and contribution of neuroscience that validate psychotherapy theory and technique.

10. Explore standards of cooperation for treatment jointly provided by clinicians from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, religious advisors, counsellors and others.

 

The WPA Psychotherapy Section has Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that meet periodically to pursue academic endeavours. You can view the SIGs at the bottom of this list. If you are interested in these study groups, please contact the SIG Chairs directly.