On 10 October 2025, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto hosted the First Conference of the University Psychology Clinic (CUP), an event that marked a double milestone in the history of the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FEP-UCP): the celebration of CUP’s 18th anniversary and the conclusion of the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Faculty’s Psychology degree.
On a particularly symbolic date – World Mental Health Day – the conference brought together psychologists, researchers, and leading professionals to reflect on the challenges of clinical psychology practice across the lifespan, from childhood to ageing. The programme stood out for the diversity and relevance of the topics addressed, fostering dialogue between science, practice, and society.
In the opening session, Raquel Matos, Director of FEP-UCP, and Lurdes Veríssimo, coordinator of CUP, emphasised the importance of the event as a testament to the Clinic’s growth and consolidation as both an academic and social project.
“This conference symbolise CUP’s commitment to quality and the humanisation of psychological care, as well as to the production of scientific knowledge that has a real impact on people’s lives,” stated Lurdes Veríssimo, highlighting the Clinic’s role as a space for training, research, and community intervention.
Raquel Matos added that “CUP is a concrete example of FEP-UCP’s mission: to unite science and practice, knowledge and service, always with a focus on human dignity and psychological well-being.”
A programme across the lifespan
The conference programme followed the various stages of human development, offering a comprehensive reflection on psychological intervention from childhood to old age.
The opening lecture, delivered by Miguel Gonçalves (University of Minho), explored the theme “What do we know about psychotherapy and what is research for?”, examining the dialogue between science and clinical practice.
This was followed by thematic panels dedicated to different life stages: childhood and adolescence, with contributions from Maria Raul Lobo Xavier and Alexandra Carneiro (FEP-UCP); adulthood, with presentations by Bárbara César Machado and Catarina Ribeiro (FEP-UCP); and older adults, with an intervention by António Fonseca (FEP-UCP).
The closing lecture, given by Halley Pontes (University of London), focused on “Gaming disorder and its psychological considerations”, concluding the event with a reflection on the emerging challenges of psychology in the digital age.
The First CUP Conference reinforced the Clinic’s role as a cornerstone of Psychology training at the Universidade Católica, integrating teaching, practice, and research for the benefit of society.
