Our Leadership

WFP Executive Board:

Professor César A. Alfonso, M.D.

Professor César A. Alfonso, M.D.

President

Bio and Contact Information

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University

Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Universitas Indonesia

Visiting Professor of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia

Vising Professor of Psychiatry, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Editor-in-Chief, Psychodynamic Psychiatry

 

251 Central Park West, Suite #1-A

New York, NY 10024, USA

Office and Mobile: +1 917 496 7614

E-Mail 1: cesaralfonso@mac.com

E-mail 2: caa2105@cumc.coilumbia.edu

Website: www.cesaralfonsomd.com

Professor Dilip Jeste, M.D.

Professor Dilip Jeste, M.D.

President-Elect

Bio and Contact Information

Professor Dilip Jeste, M.D.

President- Elect

Director, Global Research Network on Social Determinants of Mental Health

Former Senior Associate Dean of Healthy Aging and Senior Care, and

Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences,

University of California San Diego

Past President, American Psychiatric Association

Editor-in-Chief, International Psychogeriatrics

 

7258 Carrizo Drive, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA.

Phone: +1-858 456 0816

Website:  www.DilipJesteMD.com

Email address: DilipVJeste@gmail.com 

Alma L. Jimenez, M.D.

Alma L. Jimenez, M.D.

Secretary General

Bio and Contact Information

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of the Philippines

Past President, Philippine Psychiatric Association

Chairperson, Philippines Regional Branch of the World Association for Dynamic Psychiatry

Consultant, Institute of Neurosciences,

St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City, Philippines

St. Luke’s Medical Center,

279 E. Rodriguez Ave.,

Quezon City, Philippines 1102

+63 918 912 4080 (mobile)

amljimenez@yahoo.com

Professor hon François Ferrero, M.D.

Professor hon François Ferrero, M.D.

Treasurer

Bio and Contact Information

Chemin de la Montagne 67
1224 Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva

Switzerland

Tel:  +41 78 608 24 06

E-mail: francois.ferrero@unige.ch

Professor Driss Moussaoui, M.D.

Professor Driss Moussaoui, M.D.

Advisor: Past President of WFP

Bio and Contact Information

350 Lotissement Nawrass

Dar Bouazza 27223 Casablanca, Morocco

Phone: +212-661-15 19 46
E-mail: drissm49@gmail.com

Professor Norman Sartorius, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor Norman Sartorius, M.D., Ph.D.

Advisor: Past President of WPA

Bio and Contact Information

President, Action for Mental Health

Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes (AMH) 
Past President of WPA

 20 chemin Colladon 1209 Geneva Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 788 23 31
E-mail: sartorius@normansartorius.com

 

Professor Ulrich Schnyder, M.D.

Professor Ulrich Schnyder, M.D.

Advisor: Past President of WFP

Bio and Contact Information

University of Zurich

Niederdorfstrasse 18

8001 Zurich

Switzerland

Phone: +41 (0)79 203 42 58

E-mail: ulrich.schnyder@uzh.ch

Lydia Kurk

Lydia Kurk

Secretariat

Bio and Contact Information

Geneva, Switzerland

E-mail: info@wfpsychotherapy.org

 

WFP Council Members | 2023-2026:

Asher Aladjem

Asher Aladjem

New York, USA

Bio and Contact Information

Asher Aladjem

New York, USA

asher.aladjem@nyulangone.org

 

Dr. Aladjem is Chair of the Ethics Committee at Bellevue Hospital and Chief Psychiatrist of the Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT). He is one of the founders of the Bellevue PSOT, which provides comprehensive medical, psychiatric, legal, and psychosocial services to displaced and traumatized persons seeking asylum. Dr Aladjem is also Medical Director of Psychosocial Services at the Perlmutter Cancer Center of New York University, where he serves as Associate Professor of Psychiatry. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Liaison Psychiatry for his pioneering contributions to the field of Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry.

Muhammad Sohail Ali

Muhammad Sohail Ali

New York, USA

Bio and Contact Information

Muhammad Sohail Ali

New York, USA

ali173@un.org

Dr. Muhammad Sohail Ali is the Chief of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security Critical Incident Stress Management Unit (UNDSS-CISMU). Dr. Sohail Ali has degrees in medicine, psychiatry, community mental health, public health, and disaster management. He has over two decades of experience including sixteen years in the United Nations  He covered natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, man-made disasters such as insurgency and terrorism, and conducted more than 200 workshops and training programs, training more than 3000 UN staff in Pakistan, Afghanistan, UNHQ New York, East Timor, Hungary, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya.

Maria Ammon

Maria Ammon

Berlin, Germany

Bio and Contact Information

Maria Ammon

Berlin, Germany

DAPBerlin@t-online.de

Professor Maria Ammon is psychoanalyst and psychotherapist, group psychotherapist, and training and supervising psychoanalyst. She is Scientific Head and Head of Education for the psychoanalytic training of psychologists and psychotherapists at the Berliner Lehr- und Forschungsinstitut der Deutschen Akademie für Psychoanalyse (DAP). She served as the Therapeutic Managing Director of the Dynamic-Psychiatric Hospital Menterschwaige, in Munich for more than 30 years. She is the President of the German Academy for Psychoanalysis (DAP), and Secretary General of the World Association for Dynamic Psychiatry (WADP).

Constantine D. Della

Constantine D. Della

Las Piñas, Philippines

Bio and Contact Information

Constantine Della | cddella@up.edu.ph

Dr. Constantine D. Della is a Life Fellow of the Philippine Psychiatric Association and an International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He was the President of the Philippine Psychiatric Association from 2011 to 2012. At present, he holds the following positions: Assistant Chair of the Board of Accreditation of the Specialty Board of Philippine Psychiatry, President of the World Association of Dynamic Psychiatry-Philippine Chapter, Chair of the Psychotherapy Section of the World Psychiatric Association, member of the International Advisory Board of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and member of the American Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. He is an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He heads the Division of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital. He has received awards for outstanding achievements in leadership from renowned medical schools in the Philippines. He Chairs the Philippine Psychiatric Association Psychotherapy Committee, a WFP member society.

Vincenzo Di Nicola

Vincenzo Di Nicola

Montreal, Canada

Bio and Contact Information

Vincenzo Di Nicola

Montreal, Canada

vincenzodinicola@gmail.com

 Professor Di Nicola trained as a psychologist, child psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and philosopher. He practices and teaches in Montreal, Quebec, and consults internationally as a visiting professor, educator, and specialist in the areas of child and family psychiatry, trauma, and social and cultural psychiatry. Di Nicola is Tenured Professor of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Canada; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, George Washington University, USA; Honorary Professor of Psychology & Law, FADOM, Brazil; Honorary Chair & Professor of Social Psychiatry, Milan School of Medicine, Ambrosiana University, Italy. He is Founder & President, Canadian Association of Social Psychiatry (CASP), and President of the World Association of Social Psychiatry (WASP).

Behrouz Dolatshahi

Behrouz Dolatshahi

Tehran, Iran

Bio and Contact Information

Behrouz Dolatshahi

Tehran, Iran

dolatshahee@yahoo.com

Dr. Dolatshahi is an academic researcher, educator, and clinician. He serves as the President of the Iranian Psychotherapy Association. He is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Iran.

nsultation and Liaison Psychiatry.

Bruno Falissard

Bruno Falissard

Paris, France

Bio and Contact Information

Bruno Falissard

Paris, France

bruno.falissard@gmail.com

Professor Falissard is a French mathematician, psychiatrist and academic. He is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Professor in Biostatistics, and the Head of L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) in France. He is a Past-President of the International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) and a Member of the French Academy of Medicine. 

 

Gerhard P. Grobler

Gerhard P. Grobler

Tshwane, South Africa

Bio and Contact Information

Gerhard P. Grobler

Tshwane, South Africa

gerhard.grobler@up.ac.za

Gerhard Grobler is Adjunct Professor at the University of Pretoria and Head of the Clinical Unit: Psychiatry at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Tshwane, South Africa. His clinical work comprises mainly of treating adults requiring acute psychiatric care. He is also involved in the gender affirming service of the hospital. He teaches undergraduate medical and post graduate students in psychiatry. His field of research includes transgender care and human rights of mental healthcare users. He is a Past President of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP).

Kirsten Hauber

Kirsten Hauber

The Hague, The Netherlands

Bio and Contact Information

Kirsten Hauber

The Hague, The Netherlands

kirsten.hauber@gmail.com

Kirsten Hauber is a  Psychotherapist and Supervisor in private practice in the Netherlands. She is Associate professor Curium-LUMC, and Professor RINO Utrecht and Amsterdam. She is a Board Member and chair of Dutch Association of Psychotherapy (NVP). She is a member of the Dutch EMDR Association (VEN) and of the Dutch Association for Group Therapy (NVGP).

Gabriel Ivbijaro

Gabriel Ivbijaro

London, UK

Bio and Contact Information

Gabriel Ivbijaro

London, UK

gabriel.ivbijaro@gmail.com

 Professor Ivbijaro is Visiting Professor of Population Mental Health, NOVA University in Lisbon, Portugal. He is Honorary Visiting Fellow, Bradford University School of Management, UK; Medical Director, The Wood Street Health Centre, London, UK; Secretary General World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH); and President of The World Dignity Project. Professor Ivbijaro is an international leader in Primary Care Mental Health and specialist in integrated care with expertise in service re-design. 

Petrin Redayani Lukman

Petrin Redayani Lukman

Jakarta, Indonesia

Bio and Contact Information

Petrin Redayani Lukman

Jakarta, Indonesia

ptrn1010@yahoo.com

Petrin Redayani Lukman is Chair of the Psychotherapy Section of Indonesian Psychiatric Association since 2017. She works in the Psychotherapy Division of Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia. She is a Board Member of Psychoanalysis in Psychiatry Section of the World Psychiatric Association, and a Psychiatric Fellow of The American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. She serves as the Chair of the Indonesian Branch of World Association for Dynamic Psychiatry.

Mahdieh Moin

Mahdieh Moin

London, United Kingdom

Bio and Contact Information

Dr. Mahdieh Moin, M.D. is Consultant Psychiatrist, psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and Director of the Psychotherapy Fellowship Program, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She trained at the Tavistock Clinic in London in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and intercultural psychotherapy. Dr. Moin is the  coordinator of the Analytical Department of the Roozbeh Hospital Psychotherapy Department since 1998. She is a Member of Board of Directors of the Iranian Psychotherapy Association since 2022 and serves as Chair of the Psychotherapy Committee of the Iranian Psychiatric Association. She is also Chair of the Iran Balint Group. 

Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu

Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu

Kampala, Uganda

Bio and Contact Information

Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu

Kampala, Uganda

Dr. Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Makerere University, Uganda, focusing on culturally appropriate psychotherapy for HIV patients with depression. She developed a cost-effective group support psychotherapy program, improving medication adherence and viral suppression. Recognized internationally, she received the 2016 Elsevier Foundation Award, a National Independence Medal of Honor, and was featured on BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring and Influential Women in 2020. Dr. Nakimuli-Mpungu holds a medical degree, Master of Medicine in Psychiatry, and a doctorate psychiatric epidemiology. She serves on the Board of the WPA Psychotherapy Section.

Helene Nissen-Lie

Helene Nissen-Lie

Oslo, Norway

Bio and Contact Information

Helene Nissen-Lie

Oslo, Norway

h.a.nissen-lie@psykologi.uio.no

Helene A. Nissen-Lie is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oslo and a specialist in Clinical Psychology (Norwegian Association of Psychologists). She has authored a range of scientific articles and book chapters in clinical psychology and psychotherapy research. She is a member of the World Federation for Psychotherapy Research Committee.

Silvia W. Olarte

Silvia W. Olarte

New York, USA

Bio and Contact Information

Silvia Olarte |  SWOlarte@aol.com

Silvia W. Olarte, M.D., is Distinguish Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Fellow of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. She served as  President of the Association of Women Psychiatrists and of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. She is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College, and  Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst of the Psychoanalytic Institute at the same institution. Originally from Argentina and interested clinical transcultural psychiatry, she served the Latino population in New York City at  Metropolitan Hospital where she was  the  Outpatient Department Director and Director of Psychiatry. She served in the American Psychiatric Association National Committees of International Medical Graduates, Hispanic Committee, and Women Committee.  She chaired the task force on Educating Psychiatrists on Ethical Issues and on the former Council on National Affairs.  She received the  APA George Tarjan Award, the APA Alexandra Symonds Award , the APA Special Presidential Commendation and twice, the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis Presidential Award. She has published on women’s issues, ethical issues, boundaries violations, psychodynamic treatment of deprived populations, and changes in psychodynamic practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamid Peseschkian

Hamid Peseschkian

Wiesbaden, Germany

Bio and Contact Information

Hamid Peseschkian

Wiesbaden, Germany

hamid@peseschkian.com

Dr. Peseschkian is the President of the World Association for Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy (WAPP). He is Board-certified in psychiatry, neurology, and psychotherapy. He is an  International Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He serves as the Director of the Wiesbaden Academy of Psychotherapy, Head of its Psychotherapy Residency Program, and Medical Director of the Wiesbaden Psychotherapy Clinic. 

Christoph Pieh

Christoph Pieh

Krems, Austria

Bio and Contact Information

Christoph Pieh

Krems, Austria

christoph.pieh@donau-uni.ac.at 

Professor Pieh is the Head of the Department of Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health at the Danube University in Krems, Austria since 2016. He is Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. univ., Leiter des Departments für Psychotherapie und Biopsychosoziale Gesundheit, Donau-Universitä, and completed his training in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy as well as in Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany. He received the Venia Docendi for Psychosomatic Medicine.

Jan Prasko

Jan Prasko

Czech Republic

Bio and Contact Information

Jan Prasko

Czech Republic

praskojan@seznam.cz

Dr. Prasko is Professor of Psychiatry at the Palacky University Olomouc, Head of the Psychotherapeutic Department of the Psychiatric Clinic at the University Hospital Olomouc, the Czech Republic. He also leads the Psychotherapeutic Department of the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education in Prague. He is the President of the Czech Psychotherapeutic Association of the Czech Medical Society and served as the President of the European Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Daniela Polese

Daniela Polese

Rome, Italy

Bio and Contact Information

Daniela Polese

Rome, Italy

daniela.polese@uniroma1.it

Dr. Polese is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, PhD on Sensorineural Plasticity, UOC of Pediatrics, UOD of Childhood Neuropsychiatry. She is affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs NESMOS, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza. Dr. Polese is a Trustee and Psychiatric Fellow of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. Dr. Polese is linked with the Massimo Fagioli Foundation.

Gabriela Rüttimann

Gabriela Rüttimann

Zurich, Swizerland

Bio and Contact Information

Gabriela Rüttimann

Zurich, Swizerland

gabi.ruettimann@psychotherapie.ch 

Gabriela Rüttimann, lic. phil., studied psychology at the University of Zurich. She is a federally recognized psychotherapist IKP and offers body-centered psychotherapy and psychological counseling. In the IKP institute she is a member of the executive and professional management. Gabi Rüttimann has presided over the Association of Swiss Psychotherapists (ASP), for a decade.

 

Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar

Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bio and Contact Information

Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

njruzyanei@gmail.com

Dr. Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar is Associate Professor in Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist and the Deputy Head of Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia (UKM). She obtained her medical degree from University College Dublin, Ireland in 1997 and Doctor of Psychiatry from the National University of Malaysia in 2006. She serves as the head of UKM Doctor of Psychiatry Program, National University of Malaysia Research Ethics Committee and Chairperson of the National University of Malaysia Good Clinical Practice Committee. She is a member of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association Committee.

Norman Sartorius

Norman Sartorius

Geneva, Switzerland

Bio and Contact Information

Norman Sartorius

Geneva, Switzerland

sartorius@normansartorius.com

Professor Sartorius holds professorial appointments at several universities in Europe, USA and elsewhere. Now President, Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes and member of the Council of the World Psychiatric Association, he previously served as the Director, Mental Health Programme, World Health Organization and as President, World (and European) Psychiatric Associations. He serves as an Advisor to the WFP Board of Directors.

Ulrich Schnyder

Ulrich Schnyder

Zurich, Switzerland

Bio and Contact Information

Ulrich Schnyder
Zurich, Switzerland

ulrich.schnyder@uzh.ch

Ulrich Schnyder is Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at University of Zurich, Switzerland, and Former Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Zurich. He is Past President of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), the International Federation for Psychotherapy (IFP), and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Prof. Schnyder is the Recipient of the ESTSS Wolter de Loos Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychotraumatology in Europe, and the ISTSS Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a Past President of the World Federation for Psychotherapy and serves as an Advisor to the Board of Directors.

Jeffery Smith

Jeffery Smith

New York, USA

Bio and Contact Information

Jeffery Smith

New York, USA

JSMD@howtherapyworks.com

Jeffery Steven Smith, MD is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in private practice in New York. He is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College, Leader of the Psychotherapy Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association and President Elect of SEPI, the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. His career has focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of therapeutic action and making that knowledge accessible to therapists across schools and orientations. He is author of a textbook of psychotherapy, a biweekly blog, “Howtherapyworks.com” and online teaching aimed at helping today’s psychotherapists understand the infrastructure of all therapies.

Timothy B. Sullivan

Timothy B. Sullivan

New York, USA

Bio and Contact Information

Timothy Sullivan |  tbsullivan275@mac.com

Dr Timothy B. Sullivan is Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the founding Program Director of the Psychiatric Residency Training Program, from 2013-2023, at Northwell Health/Staten Island University Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. After graduating from Dartmouth Medical College, he trained in Internal Medicine and Hematology-Oncology at Saint Vincents Hospital in Greenwich Village, New York; and subsequently pursued further training in Psychiatry at the New York Hospital Westchester Division, Cornell University Medical Center, where he then served as a member of the faculty for several years.

Dr Sullivan is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; Fellow of the International Society for Affective Disorders; Co-Chair of the Psychotherapy Section of the World Psychiatric Association; and Associate Editor of Psychodynamic Psychiatry. He is also Chair of the Education Committee for the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis.

Carlos Rodriguez Sutil

Carlos Rodriguez Sutil

Madrid, Spain

Bio and Contact Information

Carlos Rodriguez Sutil

Madrid, Spain

crsutil56@gmail.com

Professor Sutil holds a PhD in Psychology from the Universidad Complutense, Madrid with a thesis on the philosophy of psychology  and a degree in Philosophy and Educational Sciences. He is the President of the IPR (Relational Psychotherapy Institute) and a member of IARPP-Spain.  He is Professor and Sub director in Master of Relational Psychotherapy (IPR) and Editor in chief of the journal Clinica e Investigación Relacional.

Hachem Tyal

Hachem Tyal

Casablanca, Morocco

Bio and Contact Information

Hachem Tyal

Casablanca, Morocco

hachem.tyal@gmail.com

Dr. Tyal is a Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst. He is the President of the Moroccan Association of Dynamic Psychiatry. He is the Director of the  Clinic Villa des Lilas in Casablanca. He serves on the International Advisory Board of the journal Psychodynamic Psychiatry. He is Honorary President of  l’Alternative Fédérative des Associations de Psychiatrie (ALFAPSY) and served on the Board of the Psychoanalysis in Psychiatry Section of the World Psychiatric Association.

Mark van Ommeren [Observer]

Mark van Ommeren [Observer]

World Health Organization

Bio and Contact Information

Mark van Ommeren

World Health Organization

Vanommerenm@who.int

Dr. Mark van Ommeren is Head of the Mental Health Unit within the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use. Much of his work has been inter-agency and focused on initiating and developing humanitarian policy, evidence-based WHO guidelines, scalable psychological interventions, and supporting countries to build back better mental health systems after emergencies. He coordinated the writing of WHO’s World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health for All. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Mark lived and worked for five years in Nepal and Fiji before joining WHO. He studied at University of British Columbia and at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.