Recent discourse in psychiatry and clinical psychology has increasingly questioned the relevance of traditional psychopathology, with some declaring it obsolete in the face of neuroscientific advances and data-driven diagnostics. This symposium aims to challenge the narrative of the "death of psychopathology" and reassert its foundational role in clinical understanding, diagnosis, and treatment.
Psychopathology, the structured study of mental symptoms and syndromes, is often conflated with phenomenology—the exploration of subjective experience. While overlapping, these domains are distinct. Phenomenology emphasizes the first-person perspective, often prioritizing lived experience over nosological categorization. Psychopathology, however, integrates both subjective and objective dimensions, allowing clinicians to contextualize symptoms within broader diagnostic and functional frameworks.
The erosion of psychopathological literacy has led to an over-reliance on checklists and standardized interviews, often at the expense of nuanced clinical judgment. As a result, common pitfalls—misdiagnosis, reductionism, and the overlooking of comorbid or atypical presentations—are increasingly prevalent. By restoring psychopathology as a central pillar of clinical training and practice, we can better recognize patterns, refine differential diagnoses, and appreciate the depth and complexity of mental suffering.
Learning objectives
This symposium will gather experts in psychopathology, phenomenology, and clinical training to explore:
• the current state and critiques of psychopathology
• its divergence and complementarity with phenomenological approaches
• the practical consequences of neglecting psychopathological knowledge in modern mental health care.
Through case studies, theoretical analysis, and educational strategies, we will argue for a reinvigorated psychopathological lens as essential to ethical, effective, and person-centered practice.
Speakers
Chair: Dr Stefania Bonaccorso, North London NHS Foundation Trust, London
Professor Gareth Owen, Professor of Psychological Medicine, Ethics and Law, King's College London, London
Professor Matthew Broome, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
Professor Femi Oyebode, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
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.
