Bangladesh's first Psychological Case Conference brought together around 200 mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, and trainees from allied fields, for a day-long exchange of knowledge and insights. The conference, jointly hosted by the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology of the University of Dhaka and the Bangladesh Educational and Counselling Psychology Society (BECPS), marked a significant milestone in the country's mental health landscape. It was inaugurated by the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mamun Ahmed, and featured Professor Dr. Enamul Haque, Dean of the Biological Sciences Faculty, and Professor Hamida Akhtar Begum, Editor-in-Chief of Bangladesh Psychological Studies, the nation’s oldest psychology journal, as special guests.

The event served as a platform for discussing pressing mental health challenges and showcasing innovative therapeutic approaches practiced by mental health professionals in Bangladesh. Through eight diverse case presentations, the conference shed light on complex issues such as marital conflicts, childhood trauma, bullying, panic disorders, self-harm, and treatment-resistant psychosexual disorders. These real-life cases demonstrated how culturally sensitive, evidence-based therapies are helping individuals heal and thrive. A case involving a rare medical condition highlighted how integrating psychological and medical care can lead to transformative outcomes. Trauma-focused therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), were also featured, emphasizing their effectiveness in helping clients process deep-seated emotional pain.

Creative therapeutic approaches were a central theme of the discussions. Techniques like art therapy, imaginative exercises, and sensory grounding tools proved particularly effective for young clients dealing with bullying and trauma. Systemic family interventions were shown to play a crucial role in resolving relational conflicts. The conference emphasized the need for continued collaboration, research, and advocacy to make mental health care more accessible and equitable for all.

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