The Egyptian Association for Group Therapies & Processes (EAGT) concluded its 4th International Conference in Egypt for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes, entitled “Action, connection, and inclusion,” on Saturday at the Triumph Hotel in the 5th Settlement.
The conference was attended by Yehia Rakhawy, conference president and co-founder of group therapy in Egypt; Richard Beck, president of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP); Refaat Mahfouz, the vice-president of the conference; Nasser Loza, president of the World Federation for Mental Health, and a group of senior psychologists from 40 countries.
The conference discussed, during its opening session, several issues that represent a collective psychological challenge, most notably group therapy for trauma, integrative psychological treatment, the use of antidepressants with group psychological therapy, group therapy for children and adolescents, training and education in group psychological treatments, group therapy for couples and family therapy.
A group of psychiatrists presented entertainment and singing performances led by Mona El-Rakhawy, professor of psychiatry at Cairo University, explaining that the association believes that there is a close link between mental health, arts, and creativity.
Mona El-Rakhawy said that the conference is attended by about 40 Asian, African, American, and European countries, with the aim of enhancing communication, networking, and joint teamwork to raise awareness of methods and approaches of collective psychotherapy.
El-Rakhawy explained that the international conference coincides with the Egyptian parliament’s discussion of the mental health law, as the conference brings together doctors of different nationalities who live different collective educational experiences, which contributes to enriching discussions about the law.
The Conference also seeks to fill gap in the media’s handling of mental health and linking creative and psychological areas such as cinema, theatre, and writing.
The Conference is the largest event of its kind in the field of mental health in Africa and the Middle East.
