EAPM 2025 (European Association Of Psychosomatic Medicine)

[Chandelier]

2025 EAPM Conference Munich – EAPM

eapm.eu.com

The EAPM 2025 (European Association Of Psychosomatic Medicine) in Munich‘s theme was: “Transforming the biopsychosocial model: conceptual and clinical aspects”

Here are the Masterclasses one could attend:

Masterclass 1 by Omer van den Bergh​

In this masterclass I will explain differences between a classical (modal) model of symptom perception and a predictive processing model. The new model explains how the extent to which symptoms are related to pathophysiological processes in the body is a matter of degree that can vary depending on the somatic input, person, and context. You will learn to use the model and derive strategies for treatment.

Masterclass 2 by Cédric Lemogne​

11.09.2025, 09:45
Translatum 2
English

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CARUS Masterclass 2 – part two​

We will dive into the multifaceted world of persistent somatic symptoms research, drawing from frontline experiences with Long COVID. We will explore both clinical research and population epidemiology, integrating observational studies with trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). You will learn how to overcome challenges, including navigating interactions with patient advocacy groups

Masterclass 3 by Silje Endresen Reme​

11.09.2025, 09:45
Auditorium C
English

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CARUS Masterclass 3 – part two​

The Mind-Body Reprocessing Therapy (MBRT) is a new intensive, interdisciplinary approach to treatment of symptomatic conditions, that has a strong focus on recovery. In this workshop, you will learn about the new treatment model using the example of its application to Long COVID. The masterclass will feature practical exercises that you can go on to apply to your patients and to yourself.

Masterclass 4 by Jane Walker​

11.09.2025, 09:45
Conference K1
English

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Alison Creed Award Masterclass 4 – part two​

Leadership gives us great opportunities to improve clinical care and deliver research in psychosomatic medicine. But leading a team can be challenging. In this masterclass, we will use practical exercises to explore what leadership means and how you can lead with confidence. You will develop your leadership goals, enhance your ability to manage competing demands on your time, and learn how to turn difficult conversations into positive experiences.

Masterclass 5 by Silvia Ferrari​

11.09.2025, 09:45
Translatum 1
English

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Frits Huyse Award Masterclass 5 – part two​

Clinicians often have to deal with clinical complexity. This complexity is related but not necessarily a synonym for multi-morbidity. It also reflects the bio-psycho-social overlapping of many other factors including patient needs, organization of care, patient characteristics and expectations and also cultural factors. By examining individual cases workshop participants will improve their skill in applying the bio-psycho-social paradigm to clinical complexity.

 

[rvallee]

The EAPM 2025 (European Association Of Psychosomatic Medicine) in Munich‘s theme was: “Transforming the biopsychosocial model: conceptual and clinical aspects”

Oh, it's going to do all the same old things, but will grow an evil goatee and start laughing maniacally as it destroys millions of lives? Neat.

I was curious about what they mean by transforming. Which is funny when you think of it. This stuff is basically an orthodox church, it literally never changes. They're still pushing out the exact same original ideas, are completely incapable of thinking outside a small set of generic platitudes.

So, anyway, transformation?

TRANSFORMING THE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL INTO A BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIO-SPIRITUAL MODEL

Ah, right on with the program: do all the same evil shit and grow an evil goatee. About the only reasonable take on this is to make belief in the model an explicit necessity. Not a religion, though. Well, not a normal religion, anyway.

What an absolutely shameful time for medicine. A major event that completely debunked a massively harmful belief system and treatment model not only made no difference, it's literally being used to do even more harm. Long Covid features large here. Like a doomsday cult that passed the date for the end of the world and found renewal of their faith, stronger than ever, because they can't deal with reality.

MEDICALLY COMPLEX PSYCHIATRIC CONSULT CLINIC: HOW CONSULTATION LIAISON PSYCHIATRY CAN EXPAND ACCESS ACROSS A HEALTH SYSTEM

Very little research has been performed on this "liaison" stuff, even though it's common. It has found no usefulness. Even Michael Sharpe's research had to conclude so. They still want to expand it, because usefulness has nothing to do with anything they do. Never has, never will. This is about power and control, exerting it and relishing in its domination.

There is nothing more about that 'transformation'. Which I guess is like when a dictator wins a fake election and transitions into a new/same old government.

 

[rvallee]

Oh, and this I'd like to see. Must be a riot:

Keynote: WHY THE MEDICAL SYSTEM IS NOT BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Something about burning all the boats, I imagine. There have never been any boats. Not for us. They razed the forests to make sure we'd never have one. They don't need any so they don't care, they can always just walk away from it all, never looking back at the wreckage they cause. No different than all the scheming people who work for big money, doing things like defending tobacco companies and other forms of corporate brutality and exploitation.

 

[Chandelier]

This could be straight out of the BPS research parody article that @dave30th posted on his blog a couple of days ago:

You will learn how to overcome challenges, including navigating interactions with patient advocacy groups

I‘m sold! It‘s gonna be masterclass #2 for me!

 

[Sasha]

You can spell 'emperor' out of those letters...

 

[Utsikt]

You can spell 'emperor' out of those letters...

For some reason, the letters to spell «new clothes» are nowhere to be seen.

 

[alktipping]

very old wine with the bottles dusted off.

 

[Nightsong]

Report on the 12th annual EAPM conference in Munich, Germany (Henningson & Sharpe)

Not too much of interest. Apparently SW gave a keynote lecture called "Why the medical system is not biopsychosocial and what to do about it" (!)

 

[V.R.T.]

Apparently SW gave a keynote lecture called "Why the medical system is not biopsychosocial and what to do about it"

Good thing he's not on the NHS board of directors or anything otherwise he could really do some damage with his mad agenda.

Seriously that's quite scary. It really highlights the endless expansionism of the BPS project.

 

[Sean]

What most strikes me about the BPS movement is its lack of humility. They are utterly certain they are correct, and are instead entirely focused on how to market it to the lay public, the profession, and the political class.

 

[Sean]

Apparently SW gave a keynote lecture called "Why the medical system is not biopsychosocial and what to do about it" (!)

Has he ever considered gathering sufficient robust evidence?

 

[MSEsperanza]

Report on the 12th annual EAPM conference in Munich, Germany (Henningson & Sharpe)

That reminded me of a funny video on the psychosomatic clinic at the renowned University of Heidelberg, featuring Peter Henningsen among others.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Isn't Henningsen the guy who was planning to do 'body psychotherapy' or something on people in association with Moss-Morris at some rehab centre in East London?

 

[MSEsperanza]

Isn't Henningsen the guy who was planning to do 'body psychotherapy' or something on people in association with Moss-Morris at some rehab centre in East London?

That's what I found on the forum on different threads:

Didn't Hennigsen who appears in that video appear on one of the MUS related ones.

Yup, with Rona M-M and the head of NHS England Mental Health for East London MUS services.

It was this link to a london MUS PAGE Peter gave above, there’s two videos on it.

https://mus.elft.nhs.uk/

I have been through this East London Foundation Trust video and made some notes. It provides a very clear display of the confused double-speak underlying the whole programme. According to Moss-Morris the best evidence is for irritable bowel, chronic pain and chronic fatigue. I would be interested to know if the evidence for the other two was any better than for ME/CFS.

The head of Mental Health NHS England simply seems to want to expand his service without any understanding of the clinical problem or the difficulties with the evidence.

It is intriguing that two German psychosomatic doctors have been brought in - presumably because, as one says, this is all up and running and routine in Germany (despite lack of evidence).

The overriding message is that these people are using a constant double-speak of 'no it is not mental but yes it is mental'. The clearest indication is at the end where Lahmann talks of changing patients' perceptions that they have somatic disease - he clearly thinks it is not somatic disease. Maybe he should ask himself what he actually does think it is.

The GP starts talking about evidence but only to imply that actually it is not so interesting - listening is more important. He wants mental and medical to be all together and apparently does not like the idea of seeing a cardiologist or a neurologist. This is all just GP propaganda trying to justify the Jack of all trades position. Why if you take that position would you shunt patients off to German psychosomatic doctors?

I think it is very helpful to see this showcase because it demonstrates just how flimsy the basis of it all is. Moss-Morris talks of specialised training of psychotherapists but how does anyone know what that training should be? And what is the justification for rolling out treatment techniques that have not been formally evaluated?

Perhaps the thing I find most strange is that anyone should be persuaded by this sort of presentation. To me these talking heads are rally just saying 'we have no idea what we are about'.

What is so difficult about telling patients the truth - that nobody knows how these symptoms arise and nobody knows what to do other than exclude important causes and be supportive.