EFPP Conferences

 A central aspect of the Board´s work is the organisation of EFPP conferences, which provide a unique forum for professional exchange, learning, and collaboration. In the early years, each section organised an annual conference, while a conference bringing together all sections was held every three or four years. As the organisation evolved, it became clear that this schedule could be streamlined. The sections therefore began organising their conferences in rotation.

This approach has resulted in a rich sequence of international meetings, including the Group Section conference in Lisbon (2004), the Adult Section conference in Dresden (2005), the Child and Adolescent Section conference in Berlin (2006), and the three section conference in Copenhagen (2007). These were followed by the Group Section conference in Prague (2008) and the Couple and Family Section conference in Florence (2009). With the establishment of the fourth section, the conference format evolved further to include combined section meetings, such as the Adult and Child and Adolescent conference in Kraków (2011), the Group and Couple and Family conference in Athens (2012), the four section conference in Berlin (2015), the Group and Couple and Family conference in Belgrade (2018), and most recently the four section conference in Warsaw (2024).

The next EFPP four section Conference is planned for May 2028 in Amsterdam. It will bring together psychoanalytic psychotherapists from across Europe and across the EFPP´s four modalities, Adult, Child and Adolescent, Couple and Family, and Group, to exchange ideas, strengthen professional networks, and foster innovation in clinical practice.

Each conference is organised by a local organising committee working in close partnership with the EFPP Board´s Conference Coordinator. The scientific programme is prepared by a Scientific Committee, with delegates from all four EFPP sections contributing to the development of the conference programme, together with broad representation from the hosting country. This ensures a balance between the international perspective of the EFPP and the specific clinical and cultural context of the country in which the conference takes place.

A distinctive feature of EFPP conferences is the discussion groups that follow each plenary lecture by the keynote speaker. Participants remain in the same discussion group throughout the conference, creating a stable and trusting environment that encourages thoughtful dialogue, deeper engagement with the keynote presentations, and meaningful professional exchange. This continuity enables participants to explore clinical ideas, theoretical concepts, and emotional responses in greater depth.

In addition to keynote lectures and discussion groups, the conferences offer a rich programme of ongoing workshops. Participants also have the opportunity to take part in experiential events such as the Dream Matrix and the Large Group, providing unique opportunities to reflect on unconscious group processes, institutional dynamics, and the emotional life of the conference community.

Alongside its major conferences, the EFPP organises a range of smaller educational events and workshops dedicated to specialised topics, such as Infant Observation. It has also hosted research conferences on child and adolescent psychotherapy, including two meetings in Stockholm. Another longstanding initiative is the Syros Workshop, held every two years for more than a decade, which focuses on the discussion of clinical case presentations in an intensive and collegial setting.