Keynote Speakers

Evaldas Kazlauskas

Vilnius University,Vilnius, Lithuania

Title: Complex effects of life-stressors and trauma on mental health across the lifespan 

Brief Bio:  Evaldas Kazlauskas, PhD, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Head of the Center for Psychotraumatology at Vilnius University, Lithuania. Prof. Kazlauskas is an immediate past president of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) and is among the leading experts on trauma- and stress-related disorders in Europe. For over two decades his work has been dedicated to the recognition of the effects of trauma on mental health and raising awareness of the need for evidence-based trauma care for traumatized populations. His current research is focused on the assessment and treatment of complex trauma, the development of digital interventions for stress-related disorders, and evaluation of the effects of trauma on mental health across the lifespan.

Véronique Le Mézec

President of the International School Psychology Association

Title: Multi-professional teamwork: an essential approach to the practice of school psychologists

Brief Bio: Véronique Le Mézec is President of the International School Psychology Association. She serves as a Supervisor and Trainer for school psychologists at the University of Rennes, France.  Veronique also works as a senior school psychologist in Britanny – France.  As a clinical psychologist she works at the Hospital Centre for Children with Language and Learning Difficulties – CRTLA in Rennes, France.

Maria Spinelli

University G. D’Annunzio Chieti, Pescara, Italy

Title: The roots of children’s adjustment to school: The role of parenting 
and early parent-infant relationships

Brief Bio: Maria Spinelli, PhD. Is Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology, 
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, at the University 
G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara Italy. She has conducted several longitudinal studies following parent-infant dyads from early infancy to school age. The studies have been aimed to explore the role of parenting, specifically parent-infant interaction and attachment, in promoting child socio-emotional development. She is interested in parenting from a behavioural, physiological, and neural perspective.