Dear colleagues,
The International Federation for Psychotherapy (IFP) will hold the 21st IFP World Congress of Psychotherapy from May 9 -11, 2014, in Shanghai, China. The theme of this congress will be ‘Psychotherapy Contributing to Global Health’. All IFP members and all colleagues who are interested in psychotherapy are cordially welcome to attend this every-4-year gathering.
The board of IFP has authorized the Committee of Psychotherapy and Psychological Counseling of China Association for Mental Health, one of the member organizations of IFP, as the local organizer. This congress will be supported friendly by other co-organizers and co-sponsors: Asia-Pacific Association of Psychotherapists (APAP), German-Chinese Academy for Psychotherapy (GCAP), Committee of Psychoanalysis of China Association for Mental Health, the Registration System for Clinical Psychologists of the Chinese Society of Psychology. Besides, Tongji University and the Shanghai Municipal Mental Health Centre will be backing up this event.
As China’s ‘economic capital’ with its open, energetic and innovative features, Shanghai is suitable for this great event. China has been experiencing historical socio-cultural changes for decades, and psychotherapy has found its new role in the radical process of modernization and globalization in China. After the issuance and implementation of the Mental Health Law of the People’s Republic of China, psychotherapy is now defined officially as an important human service. Therefore, China is embracing all forms of psychotherapy from other parts of the world that are helpful to the psychological well-being of the people, while they are developing new models based on Chinese culture. We believe that the IFP Congress will offer a valuable opportunity for professionals from all countries to exchange ideas and enhance their expertise.
The congress will be held in spring, which is the best season for meeting and for tourism in Shanghai as well in other regions in China. The congress venue will be located in the Everbright International Convention Centre. Having hosted the ‘2010 World Expo’ successfully, Shanghai has very modern infrastructure besides its attractive cultural atmosphere and life style. Participants and accompanying persons will have numerous touristic options during their stay in Shanghai and in other areas of China.
