Croatia, Dubrovnik
ISPS Croatia
Conference Report
ISPS Croatia Conference, May 2008
"Toward comprehensive psychotherapy of the psychoses"
The 13th ISPS Croatia School of psychotherapy of psychoses was held May 14-17, 2008 at the Inter-University Centre in Dubrovnik. The special focus this year was on depression and psychoses. The Croatian authors Ivezic and Urlic gave an introduction talking about “The importance of theory of M. Klein for work with psychotic patients“. LoVerso and Prestano (Italy) presented “The patients suffering of depression with problematic outcome“, Koukis (Greece), “Depression in Schizophrenia: The impact of the group-analytic psychotherapy“, and Agius (UK) “Relevance of neurobiology and neurogenesis for psychotherapy“.
Koehler (USA) presented excellent works on “Neuroscience, psychoanalysis and psychoses“, and “Depression and psychoses“. Kozadinos (Greece) presented his work “Who is afraid of atypical depression?”
The group of Norwegian authors presented interesting experiences: Kirsten and Fjordholm “Lowering threshold for chronic schizophrenic patients – a means to reduce the total need for beds?“, and Emmerhoff Håland “Multifamily groups – psychoeducational and problem solving method“.
Silver (USA) delivered a very nice and touching “Homage to David Feinsilver and his contribution to the psychotherapy of psychoses“. We wanted to remember the professional and personal aspects of our relationships with D. Feinsilver, who gave us, organizers of ISPS Croatia, the initial inspiration and support.
Restek-Petrovic and Krezler-Oreskovic (Croatia) presented “Depression in group psychotherapy with psychotic patients“.
Case presentations for supervision were offered by Mayer, Kezic and Jelicic (Croatia). The satellite symposium was held on “Antipsychotic treatment and recovering“.
On the last day an excursion to the River Neretva Valley was organized with visit to excavations and museum of the old Roman town of Narona, and a boat trip through the canals of the natural reserve region. It gave to the participants the occasion to relax and to develop social contacts.
The next School will be held in Dubrovnik May 13-16, 2009, on the “Focus on empowerment and recovery“.
Ivan Urlic
Chair ISPS Croatia