All EAP member, Board delegates and representatives are invited to a workshop at our annual meeting on March 2024. Dr. Heward Wilkinson will introduce a metatheoretical lens to broaden our understanding of psychotherapy. Key topics include adopting a wider view of causality beyond natural science, utilizing meta-level analysis beyond modalities, recognizing our dependence on possibility over actuality, emphasizing the role of meaning and consciousness, and rethinking fears of dualism. Freud's later work on negation and the Hegelian dialectic will be discussed, alongside Martin Buber's thoughts on actualism. The goal is not final answers but stimulating dialogue on reframing our field's philosophical underpinnings. Join us for a thought-provoking event exploring new horizons in psychotherapy. This workshop is free of charge. We look forward to engaging discussion.

Elfriede Karstenberger

Bruno Van den Bosch

EWOC

 

 

Dear EAP members,

 

On behalf of the Polish Council for Psychotherapy (PRP), a Federation comprising 15 associations of psychotherapists with diverse approaches, we are delighted to share our advanced draft law on the psychotherapist profession. We extend an invitation to everyone to utilize the PRP's comprehensive draft law as a valuable resource for discussions and initiatives focused on securing recognition for our profession within your respective countries. We trust you will find it both helpful and inspiring. The creation of the PRP text on the draft law for psychotherapists is an example of the extraordinary commitment of the PRP Executive Committee, chaired by Renata Mizerska. The Council consistently endeavours to formulate solutions that address the needs of the diverse Polish psychotherapist community and cater to the well-being of psychotherapy clients. In doing so, we are actively looking to build bridges in a landscape where needs are incredibly diverse and sometimes polarized.

 

Collaborative Approach

 

PRP firmly believes that the final text of any regulation taking into account the profession of psychotherapy should be a collaborative effort. Our objective is to consider all five groups of psychotherapeutic approaches, ensuring equitable representation for each group. This approach is designed to maintain inclusivity within the psychotherapy profession, securing the highest legal recognition it rightfully deserves in Poland. Additionally, we aim to guarantee individuals seeking psychotherapy the assurance of the highest professional and ethical standards. Endorsement and Support During the 2nd Psychotherapists' Debate, the largest meeting in the history of Polish psychotherapy, organized by PRP, an overwhelming 95% of the nearly 4,000 participants expressed their support for regulation in the form of a law. This resounding endorsement has fuelled PRP and other Polish psychotherapy associations to intensify their efforts, engaging in extensive discussions with legal experts. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all member organizations of the Polish Council for Psychotherapy for their joint co-financing of this draft document, totalling PLN 150,000. We anticipate that our collective efforts will not only benefit the broader EAP community but also contribute to the advancement of our profession worldwide. Please visit the PRP website https://prp.org.pl/en/ for further information.

Warmly,

Agnieszka Jankiewicz

Vice President of the Polish Council for Psychotherapy (PRP) – Federation of Associations

 

 

Dear EAP members,

 

I am thrilled to share a landmark achievement that marks a significant turning point for psychotherapy in Poland. Commencing January 1, 2024, psychotherapy and psychotherapists will, for the first time, be subject to comprehensive legal regulations at the level of an act. This accomplishment is the result of the dedicated collaborative efforts from our professional community, garnering support from nearly all Polish parliamentarians—an extraordinary feat amidst political polarization and perpetual crisis. Notably, at the eleventh hour, we received unanimous backing from all political parties, underscoring the non-partisan importance of mental health and psychotherapeutic services.
A Collaborative Triumph:
Shaping Legislative Transformation This transformative change in Polish law is firmly grounded in ongoing dialogue, and in my role as the President of the PRP, I take pride in my active contribution to this demanding and transformative legislative process. Collaborating closely with Michał Melonowski from the SNTR of the Polish Psychiatric Association, I am grateful for the invaluable support extended by colleagues within the Polish Council for Psychotherapy (PRP) – Federation of Associations. Additionally, the assistance from Łukasz Muldner-Nieckowski and Jacek Maślankowski, representing the two sections of the Polish Psychiatric Association, has played a crucial role in reaching this significant milestone in August. Negotiations with the Minister for Health were a pivotal part of joint advocacy, ensuring that the changes were not only substantial but also aligned with the broader psychotherapy training standards. Our joint efforts with the Polish NAO and other associations highlight the importance of collective efforts within the psychotherapeutic community. None of our accomplishments this year would have been possible without the collective efforts of many, including the dedicated delegates to PRP with whom I've had the pleasure of volunteering over the past 7 years. Key Highlights of the New Regulations The enacted regulations represent a landmark moment for psychotherapy in Poland, introducing:

The highest level of legal recognition for psychotherapy.

Accessibility of the psychotherapy profession to all professionals with EQF7 backgrounds.

Recognition of 5 groups of approaches: humanistic-experiential approaches, including Gestalt therapy, person-centered therapy, as well as dynamic, systemic, CBT, and integrative groups of approaches.

Minimum standards for psychotherapy training, encompassing personal therapy or self-experience, internship, and supervision.

For more detailed information, please visit the Polish Council for Psychotherapy's website https://prp.org.pl/en/

Warmly,

Renata Mizerska

PRP Executive Committee and EAP Board Member