In this symposium, we will present you with the latest evidence on difficult to treat depression (DTD):
Mary Ryan, former GP and Expert by Experience, talks from her first hand experience of what it means to live with this condition. For Mary, as for many people, difficult to treat depression has been a recurrent problem throughout her adult life. She will talk about the ways in which mindfulness-based cognitive approaches have helped her become better at being herself, through learning new ways to navigate pervasive negative thinking and with less reliance on services.
The scientific robustness of the mindfulness paradigm for DTD is outlined by Prof Thorsten Barnhofer, a leader in the science of mindfulness. Thorsten will talk about the latest research evidence, as he presents the latest trial data from his multicentre RCT, and the research that has led to NICE recommending mindfulness-based approaches for the treatment and prevention of depression.
Prof David Taylor presents the latest data on somatic and psychological acute treatments for DTD, including insights from research into transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). David presents a brief summary of the current thinking about the pharmacological treatment of DTD, including sequencing of interventions. David summarises the latest evidence in pharmacological treatments for DTD and the role of tDCS. Parallel usage of pharmacological and psychological approaches is considered.
Joy Patterson presents a case presentation, of a patient with DTD, outlining how prescribing medication and psychological treatments including meditation practices can be integrated in clinical practice. Joy demonstrates how Psychiatric Formulation can be used to integrate the biological, psychological and sociocultural into holistic patient care and treatment of DTD.
Joy Patterson and Florian Ruths describe the clinical practice from a community psychiatry perspective of how medication and meditation prescribing can be interwoven, translating the evidence into day-to-day psychiatric practice.
Learning objectives
In this webinar you will:
• gain an overview of the scientific concept of pharmacological treatment of DTD, a review of the literature, and latest data
• gain insights from research into transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as a treatment for depression
• gain an overview of the scientific concept of mindfulness based cognitive therapy, a literature review and latest evidence
• learn about the practical consequence and impact of patients engaging with mindfulness meditation practice while also taking medication, and the impact on relapse prevention and the course of the condition from a community psychiatry perspective.
Speakers
Chair: Dr Florian Ruths, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London
Dr Mary Ryan, University of Exeter, Exeter
Professor Thorsten Barnhofer, University of Surrey, Guildford
Professor David Taylor, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London
Dr Joy Patterson, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast
Dr Florian Ruths, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London
Funding
RCPsych International Congress is financially supported by the purchase of exhibition stand packages. A full list of confirmed exhibitors can be found here: Exhibiting Organisations at International Congress 2026
Availability
This webinar is part of the Congress webinar 2026 package. If you attended all four days of Congress, you will have access to these as part of your Congress package. Otherwise the Congress webinar 2026 package can be purchased below.
