How well do you know yourself?

MANILA, Philippines - How well do we really know ourselves? How willing are we to get to know who we are, and in the process do something about it to help ourselves, and those around us?  In the field of introspection, a good and compassionate psychiatrist can help us as we take a journey into who we really are.

To better understand how to deal with the many personalities that they help, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Psychotherapists (APAP) will hold its 6th APAP Congress-37th PPA Annual Convention with the theme “Mirroring the Asian Way of Psychotherapy” at Shangri-La Mactan Hotel, Cebu on Jan. 25-28, 2011.

The congress is a gathering of international experts in the field of mental health for an intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange on the practice, research, and teaching of psychotherapy in the Asia-Pacific Region. It brings together the perspectives of physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, allied health professionals, counselors, consumers, and careers from various parts of the world, to share knowledge and experiences on the universal and culture-specific aspects of psychotherapy.

Among the topics to be discussed are “The Universal System of Psychotherapy,” “The Elephant on the Couch: The Hazards of Psychotherapy,” “Psychotherapy Benefits from Diversity: Evidence versus Creativity,” “All Values are Local: The Flawed Notion of a Universal Ethics in Psychotherapy,” “The Asian Parenting Style as a Template for Human Relationships: Implications in Psychotherapy,” and “Developing Cultural Sensitivity in Asian Psychotherapists.”

There will also be simultaneous symposia, which will address the following topics: “Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Perspectives on Psychotherapy,”  “Psychotherapy for Special Populations,” and other special topics.

The honorary chairs of the conference are Jacqueline Te-Sy, MD, FPPA and Sylvia Detri Elvira, MD. Secretary general is Alma L. Jimenez, MD, FPPA and executive assistant is Evelyn G. Gapuz, MD, DPBP. The head of the organizing committee is Dr. Constantine Della, MD.

For more information, call the Philippine Psychiatric Association at 635-9858; visit Suite 1011 Medical Plaza, Ortigas Condominium, San Miguel Ave., Pasig City or e-mail info@apapphil.org.