Scientific Programme information
EPA 2026 offers a wide array of sessions throughout Congress days, covering the latest development in psychiatry.
Plenary Lectures are mainly theoretical and research-oriented, with a strong scientific focus. Delivered by leading psychiatrists, scientists and other mental health professionals invited by the Scientific Programme Committee, plenary lectures cover the main topics of the Congress theme. Each Plenary Lecture is 45-minutes long.
Delivered by top European or worldwide experts, State-of-the-Art sessions have a strong clinical focus, providing a complete update on significant aspects of current clinical treatments in European psychiatry. Each State-of-the-Art session is 45-minutes long.
Prominent speakers will present their work and participate in engaging discussions on controversial issues. A chairperson moderates the debate and the following discussion, while two speakers (proponent /opponent) offer and challenge opinions on “hot topics” for 30 minutes each. Participants may also be asked to interact by voting at the beginning and/or end of the session. Each debate is approximately 90-minutes long.
These 90-minute sessions, selected by the Scientific Programme Committee, focus on specific topics in psychiatry, representing several points of view. Each symposium includes four presentations by international speakers and offers an opportunity for discussion at the end.
The European Congress of Psychiatry serves the educational mission of the EPA by providing high-quality EPA Courses, covering all aspects of psychiatry. Each EPA Course is composed of two 90-minute sessions. Please note, fees are charged separately for Courses.
Workshops are devoted to a specific topic and bring together experts in this field for an intensive discussion. These are 90-minute working sessions, with 30 minutes devoted to discussion and interactivity.
The EPA invites recent graduates to follow its specialist Programme, which is tailored to the needs and interests of Early Career Psychiatrists. The ECP Programme is composed of a Networking Evening and a special track of sessions throughout the Congress.
Ask the Experts sessions provide participants with the opportunity to meet in small groups with outstanding researchers and clinicians. The format is designed to encourage informal discussions, allowing participants to present their questions and gain new perspectives. Sessions are held at round tables, with a limited number of participants per session, and advanced sign-up is required. Each session lasts 90 minutes in total, with 5 experts and two groups of participants. Each group has 40 minutes with the experts, with a 10-minute break between the two groups.
Registration for the sessions will be available at the registration desk on-site.
The EPA Forum brings together the EPA Council of National Psychiatric Association (NPA) members and individual EPA members, along with other European organisations, stakeholders and policy makers, to present and discuss matters of European importance in the field of mental health and mental healthcare.
Sponsored sessions such as Satellite Symposia or Product Theatre sessions are entirely designed, produced and driven by the pharmaceutical industries, though subject to approval by the Scientific Programme Committee. These sessions are scheduled outside the main CME accredited EPA Scientific Programme.
