About this event

Turning a Deaf Ear: Impediments to Listening in the Clinical Situation

The Edinburgh Conference on 13th June 2026 is the second in-person conference IOPA will hold in Edinburgh. Listening is at the heart of our work with people in psychic distress however there are times when the way we listen to and hear those we work with is hindered or can be distorted. The topic Turning a deaf ear: impediments to listening in the clinical situation seeks to explore these impediments which can stem from diverse and often unconscious beliefs, affects and drives alive between the patient and ourselves.

This event encourages participants to forge new links with psychoanalysts, psychotherapists and all clinicians working with adults and children and those interested in this topic from the UK and abroad.

View full programme here.

Arrival time: 8:45am for registration ahead of the conference.

Conference Chair: Elizabeth Coates Thümmel, President of IOPA

On Not Being Able to Hear.

Speaker: Vic Sedlak

Respondent: Anuradha Menon

'Putting the World to Rights'. An Adolescent Girl's Struggle with Bitter Disappointment and Anger. 

Speaker: Christine English

Respondent: Hannah Solemani

Who's Ear is it Anyway?

Speaker: Avi Shmueli

Respondent: Brian O Neill

This conference is supported by the Susan Emery Trust, which promotes further education, research and improved practice in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in Scotland. The Susan Emery Trust will support psychoanalytic trainees, mental health and associated staff living in Scotland who require financial assistance to be able to attend the conference by offering a number of places with a £75 discount. If you'd be interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please email [email protected].

REFUND POLICY: Full refunds are offered for cancellations made before 30 days before the event date or first day of an event or series. For full event booking terms and conditions click here.

Concession tickets are available for students, BPAS candidates and NHS trainees and nurses. Please email [email protected] if you are unsure if you qualify for a concession ticket.

Views and opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Institute, event organisers or other speakers. We expect delegates to respect the confidentiality of clinical material discussed in our events. The content must not be recorded, conveyed or disseminated in any format and participants must not share access to the event with non-registered participants.

Event prices