Section Corner – Psychotherapy
The mission of the EPA Psychotherapy Section is to promote international and multidisciplinary exchange of experiences, knowledge, and training in the psychotherapeutic treatment of mental disorders, especially in the psychiatric setting.
During each annual European Congress of Psychiatry, we submit at least one specific section symposium and one CME training course proposal, in which new trends in psychotherapy research and practice are focused. As a scientific section, we also aim to promote worldwide projects that the EPA Psychotherapy Section members are involved in, including publications, articles, books, guidelines, and various other professional activities. Along with the official section member mailing list, we have an active EPA Psychotherapy Section WhatsApp group for easier communication between our members.
Join us to collaborate on numerous activities that the EPA Psychotherapy Section embraces by being a part of the dynamic and motivated EPA Community!
New Publication on Psychotherapy Training in European Psychiatry
A new systematic review, authored by EPA Psychotherapy Section members Selin Tanyeri Kayahan, Mustafa Dinçer, Jesper Nørgaard Kjær, and Thomas Gargot on psychotherapy training, was recently published in European Psychiatry.
“Psychotherapy plays a crucial role in mental healthcare. Integrating evidence-based practices into treatment guidelines highlights the need for basic psychotherapy competence in psychiatry training. In our systematic review, we collected existing data in the literature regarding the interests and opportunities of early-career psychiatrists in psychotherapy training.
Our results showed that early-career psychiatrists are motivated for psychotherapy training, but resources seem limited. Improving psychiatrists’ access to evidence-based, culturally adapted psychotherapy training is essential. For that matter, we stress the importance of inclusive approaches to psychotherapy training, notably through the efforts of professional organizations such as EPA (see EPA e-Learning Platform), EFPT (see EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook), the World Psychiatric Association (see WPA Psychotherapy Learnbook), and the World Federation for Psychotherapy.”
Article: Tanyeri Kayahan S, Dinçer M, Nørgaard Kjær J, Gargot T. Psychotherapy training in psychiatry: a systematic review on the early career psychiatrists’ interests and opportunities. European Psychiatry. 2025;68(1):e88. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10044.
Congratulations to the Elected Section Committee for 2025-2027
EPA Psychotherapy Section Committee elections for 2025-2027 were held online on 29 June 2025. Twenty-five section member participants voted through the secret ballot platform. Congratulations to the members of the newly formed Section Committee!
Chair: Thomas Gargot, France
Co-chair: Theodoros Koutsomitros, Greece
Secretary: Selin Tanyeri Kayahan, Turkey
Councillors:
Fabian Kraxner, Switzerland
Jesper Nørgaard Kjær, Denmark
Asilay Seker, UK
Psychotherapy Section Activities during EPA2025 Madrid Congress
EPA Psychotherapy Section contributed to the 33rd European Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid with two symposiums and one case-based workshop, which attracted numerous participants and led to fruitful discussions.
“Psychotherapy in Challenging Settings”
A symposium, organized in collaboration with the EPA Emergency Psychiatry Section, that explored the circumstances that challenge the framework and practice of psychotherapy in emergency and humanitarian settings. In this session, chaired by Julian Beezhold and Theodoros Koutsomitros, a speaker panel consisting of Carla Gramaglia, Thomas Gargot, Selin Tanyeri Kayahan, and Michael Briggs discussed useful psychotherapeutic tools that could be effective for crisis interventions.
“Psychotherapy in Psychiatry Training and Clinical Application in Europe: Different Models, Challenges, and Solutions”
A symposium that was organized with the EPA Council of National Psychiatric Associations (NPAs). Ekin Sönmez, Eka Chkonia, Theodoros Koutsomitros, and Michael Linden discussed the similarities and differences in the psychotherapy training requirements during psychiatry residency and psychotherapy provision in different countries across Europe.
“Will Artificial Intelligence be Useful in Everyday Psychiatric Practice? Psychotherapy Perspective”
This case-based workshop was an interactive session aimed at encouraging participants to share their opinions on one of the most popular topics these days. Case studies focusing on variant aspects of the question were presented in a debate-like format by Fabian Kraxner, Ruta Karaliuniene, Beren Özel, and Şiirnaz Kükürt, followed by a broad discussion with the audience, chaired by Theodoros Koutsomitros and Selin Tanyeri Kayahan.
Besides the scientific programme, a motivating EPA Psychotherapy Section Meeting was held both in-person and online with over 30 participants. During this meeting, where the activities of the section were presented, members of the section found the opportunity to meet each other, to share ideas, and to plan further collaborations. Not surprisingly, a high number of scientific activity proposals for the EPA2026 Prague Congress have already been submitted by the involved members of our section.
EPA Webinar on Effective Psychotherapies for Depression
Effective Psychotherapies for Depression: State of Art and Implications for Mental Health Services webinar, chaired by Koray Başar, was organized online on 5 June 2024. In this NPA Webinar in collaboration with the EPA Psychotherapy Section, esteemed Professor Pim Cuijpers presented an extensive body of their research on effective psychotherapies for depression. EPA Psychotherapy Section chair Thomas Gargot and councillor Selin Tanyeri Kayahan joined the webinar as discussants. During this insightful session, followed by a high number of colleagues, various key points on the efficacy of psychotherapies in different groups, settings, mental health conditions, and therapy modalities were highlighted with inspiring discussion and ideas for future studies and practice.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Syllabus Contribution for the European Board Examination in Psychiatry (EBEP)
The EPA, the European Union of Medical Specialists – Psychiatry Section (UEMS-PS), and the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) joined forces to develop the European Board Examination in Psychiatry (EBEP), as a crucial benchmarking step to harmonise psychiatric training and professional standards in Europe. EPA Psychotherapy Section chair Thomas Gargot, co-chair Alexandra Philipsen, and secretary Theodoros Koutsomitros prepared contributions regarding the exam syllabus on psychotherapy. The first edition of the EBEP took place on 28 February 2025, where colleagues who successfully passed the exam earned the title of Fellow of the European Board of Psychiatry.
Collaboration with the World Federation for Psychotherapy (WFP)
EPA Psychotherapy Section chair Thomas Gargot was invited to speak at the World Federation for Psychotherapy Regional Meeting with the theme of Biopsychosocial Advances in Evidence-based Therapies in Psychiatry, organized in January 2025 in Manila. As part of the scientific program of the congress, Dr. Gargot shared his expertise in Multimodal Social Signal Analysis and Motivational Interviews.
In the World Federation for Psychotherapy June 2024 Newsletter, EPA Psychotherapy Section chair Thomas Gargot and secretary Theodoros Koutsomitros shared the story of the co-creation of the EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook project, as well as their experiences as project leaders along the way.
Collaboration with the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT)
EPA Psychotherapy Section collaborates with the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees Psychotherapy Working Group on a number of diverse projects, including the organization of monthly free-of-charge Balint Groups and the EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook.
Balint Group
For the members of the EPA Psychotherapy Section and EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group, a monthly free-of-charge Balint Group has been organized since 2023 by Theodoros Koutsomitros and Alina Braicu. By fostering reflection, Balint Groups enhance clinicians’ ability to interpret patients’ behaviors, improve communication skills, and manage the emotional challenges of clinical practice. This process helps clinicians use the clinical encounter as a valuable source of insight, leading to improved patient care and better management of complex cases.
Balint Groups of the 2024-2025 season were led by two experienced psychiatrists and medical psychotherapists: Alina Braicu and Laura Thorn. For the new season of 2025-2026, psychiatrist Alma László will take over the role of facilitator in the Balint Group sessions.
EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook
EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook is an evolving, informal guide on psychotherapies created from trainee experience by psychiatry trainees from across Europe, for psychiatry trainees and other curious people. Since the foundation of the project by EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group members in 2014, the Guidebook has continued its journey, branching out and deepening its roots, attracting considerable interest from colleagues. Currently in its third edition, EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook includes 36 chapters, from existential psychotherapy to psychoeducation, interpersonal psychotherapy, mindfulness, and many more.
You can read more about the EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook from project founders and previous coordinators Thomas Gargot, Theodoros Koutsomitros, Hugo Canas-Simião, and Roberts Klotins. EFPT Psychotherapy Guidebook is currently being coordinated by EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group member Begüm Marşap. Check out the latest chapter published in June 2025!
EFPT Journal Clubs
EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group organizes regular journal clubs on a wide variety of inspiring topics regarding psychotherapy and related fields. Video-conference-based EFPT psychotherapy journal clubs are currently being coordinated by EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group member Şiirnaz Kükürt.
EFPT Newsletter
In the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees Winter 2025 Newsletter, EPA Psychotherapy Section chair Thomas Gargot shared reflections and insights on his EFPT leadership journey in an interview with EPA Psychotherapy Section member Beren Özel. Dr. Gargot underscored the importance of taking action as well as the mutually supportive role of becoming a part of such communities for early-career colleagues.