A groundbreaking achievement
Professor Agnieszka Popiel was elected President of the Association at the 56th EABCT Congress, held in Brussels on September 16–19, 2026. The EABCT brings together thousands of clinicians and researchers from 43 countries. It was the first European organization to bring together national associations dedicated to cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.
The main goals of the EABCT are:
- supporting the development and advancing the recognition of cognitive behavioral therapy
- developing and improving European standards for training, supervision, and accreditation of national cognitive behavioral therapy associations
- promoting broad-based initiatives that support mental well-being and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Visit the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies website
For many years, Professor Popiel represented the Polish Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (PTTPB), founded in 1998, within the EABCT. She was also one of the founders of the association and served as its president for many years. In 2010, the Polish association received international accreditation, allowing Polish therapists to apply for the EABCT European Certificate of Psychotherapy, which is recognized across most of Europe.
Recognition of the work of Polish CBT researchers and therapists
Professor Agnieszka Popiel’s election as EABCT President is an important recognition of Poland’s cognitive behavioral therapy community and its contributions to research and education. It highlights the experience of Polish researchers and therapists, including their work on trauma and PTSD, as well as the development of training standards for cognitive behavioral psychotherapy in Poland. Professor Popiel’s appointment to the Association’s highest position also underscores the role of the Polish Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, which has represented the Polish CBT community at the European level for years. Her term as President may create further opportunities for Polish experts to contribute to discussions on European training standards and the development of psychotherapy, as well as to share research findings from Polish psychologists.
This recognition comes at an important time for psychotherapy in Poland. Looking at the field from both a Polish and European perspective, I would say that my 25 years of work with the EABCT have coincided with tremendous advances in psychological treatments and the establishment of cognitive behavioral therapy (understood as a broad family of evidence-based approaches) as a scientifically supported standard of care reflected in numerous treatment guidelines.
We now have a clear understanding of how many people these approaches can help. This is also supported by extensive economic analyses, including research on Professor David M. Clark’s Talking Therapies program in the UK. When people experiencing anxiety, depression, or PTSD have access to evidence-based therapy, it not only improves their lives but also supports the economy and contributes to GDP.
I am deeply moved and honored to have been elected to lead an organization as large and well-established as the EABCT, especially as someone from Central Europe. I would like our shared work across more than 60 member associations on standards and training to be grounded in the exchange of experiences and an understanding of cultural context, with no compromises when it comes to what matters most: the scientific rigor of psychology and the well-being of patients.
Professor Agnieszka Popiel