EWOTS, European Workshop on Traumatic Stress, El Escorial, Spain, October 2006
Report and images from Jonathan I. Bisson [Click images for larger size]
San Lorenzo del EscorialEl Escorial with Felipe II's imposing 16th century monastery in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama was the impressive location of the latest EWOTS and ESTSS Board meeting.
Paco Orengo, Berthold Gersons and Raija-Leena PunamakiEWOTS
Paco Orengo and Prof Lopez-Ibor organised the EWOTS which got off to a fine start with the ESTSS President, Berthold Gersons, providing a stimulating plenary talk on The state of the art of Traumatic Stress in which he emphasised the importance of post traumatic growth and resilience. Raija-Leena Punamaki then provided a fascinating insight into therapeutic work with traumatised children and adolescents. The simultaneous translation throughout the day meant that speakers could present in Spanish or English without fear of being misunderstood.
Ulli Frommberger, Kerstin Bergh-Johannesson and Mark BraynThe final session before lunch covered biological approaches to traumatic stress with insights into neuroimaging and the emergence of functional MRI and magnetoencephalography studies. Miranda Olff discussed some of the exciting work being pursued in this area in Amsterdam and Prof T Ortiz reminded the audience of the important ongoing Spanish contributions. Ulli Frommberger's presentation highlighted the role medication can play in the management of some PTSD sufferers.
ESTSS Board during a breakESTSS Board Meeting
The afternoon sessions considered treatment programmes for traumatic stress and violence in the family from four different European countries (Croatia, Spain, Turkey and France) emphasising the positive work going on throughout Europe and the value of the development of a European network. The final session was a panel who briefly described their views on future developments in the PTSD field from both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological perspectives. The day was undoubtedly a very stimulating one and appeared to be well received by most participants.
David BoltonThe Board meeting, as ever, covered a packed agenda and highlighted the major steps that have been made under Berthold Gerson's presidency to re-organise ESTSS into an umbrella organisation that offers a European network for trauma professionals together with language or nationally oriented societies.
Norbert GurrisThe forthcoming elections in May 2007 were also discussed in some detail. In addition to the existing Board members who are eligible to stand for re-election the Board unanimously agreed to propose the following candidates: Angela Favaro, a psychiatrist at the University of Padua in Italy; Maja Lis-Turlejska, a psychologist from the University of Warsaw in Poland; Brigitte Lueger-Schuster, a psychologist fro m the University of Vienna in Austria; Per-Olof Michel, a psychiatrist from Uppsala University in Sweden; Regina Steil, a psychologist from Mannheim in Germany; Tom Van der Schoot, a psychiatrist from Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Paco Orengo and Louis JehelDean Ajdukovic reported on the preparations for the 10th ECOTS to be held in Opatija, Croatia from 6-9 June 2007. The Board were pleased to note the excellent progress that has been made for what promises to be an exciting meeting. Another key development is that of training and certification. A task force under the leadership of Chris Freeman has been developed to take this forward and will hopefully lead to formalisation of the ESTSS's role as a major education and training provider in the field of Traumatic Stress.
Relaxation
In addition to the EWOTS and the Board meeting the delegates and Board members were able to enjoy some time in El Escorial and then the beautiful city of Madrid with its wonderful museums, flamenco and ambience!
Raija-Leena Punamaki, Kerstin Bergh-Johanneson, Miranda Olff and Ufuk Sezgin
David Bolton, Raija-Leena Punamaki and Dean Ajdukovic
ESTSS Board watching Flamenco
Flamenco dancers of Estudio de Danza