The Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group (SPSIG) Conference 2025: Possession states in psychiatry: the interface of faith and clinical decision making
One day event
Timings | Registration 9.30-10.00am, Conference starts 10.00am and closes 4.00pm |
Location | RCPsych, 21 Prescot Street, London, United Kingdom, E1 8BB |
CPD | up to 6 CPD points, subject to peer group approval |
Standard Rate | £170 |
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*Chaplain rate | £60 |
Non member | £190 |
Resident in Higher Training | £160 |
Resident in Core Training | £80 |
SAS | £160 |
Subsidised/Retired | £80 |
Medical Student/FY | £60 |

Event Information
Overview
Psychiatrists are often consulted when a person complains of adverse experiences attributed to the activity of evil spirits, demons or djinn. Amongst these experiences, possession states are a particular cause of concern and controversy. Different faith traditions offer different accounts of possession and its significance; and also, what might be done to help those affected. Psychiatrists from different faith perspectives will present about clinical and theological approaches to possession states. We will also have the chance for small group discussion in break out rooms, during which we want to encourage inclusive and diverse discussions, and we will be welcoming questions for our multi- faith panel discussion at the end of the day.
Call for posters: The Andrew Sims Poster Competition
* How to book | Fees Explained | Terms and conditions
Book online
- pay using a debit card or credit card and receive instant confirmation and a receipt
Bank transfer
- Request a booking form and return it along with details of your bank payment transfer
Using a College voucher
- Email your voucher and we will contact you if additional payment is required
Fees explained
- Fees include refreshments and lunch
- The fee you pay relates to your RCPsych membership status - you can check your status here
- Subsidised rate includes those on lower incomes paying a subsidised RCPsych membership rate (maternity or parental leave, working part time or taking a career break) and International RCPsych Members residing in band D and C countries.
- Medical Students and Foundation Year Doctors can apply for free RCPsych membership, which then gives you access to reduced conference registration fees, amongst other benefits
- *Chaplain rate - if you are registering for a chaplain rate you will need to call 0208 618 4143 or 0208 618 4288 to make your booking over the phone as you will not be able to register online for this rate.
NB We are unable to invoice.
The small print...
- Read our terms and conditions before making your booking, which covers our:
- Event Cancellation Policy
- Privacy Policy
- Code of Conduct
The Andrew Sims poster prize
We are inviting abstracts for submission to this new poster prize set up in memory of the late Professor Andrew Sims, a past president of RCPsych and also a past chair of the Spirituality & Psychiatry Special Interest Group. This is intended to attract contributions from early career clinicians and researchers, and thus to encourage a new generation of psychiatrists to work in the field of spirituality and psychiatry. It is only open to trainees (not consultants) and entries will be expected to address an aspect of spirituality and psychiatry, broadly and inclusively interpreted.
Posters that are accepted will be displayed at the conference and judged by our panel and prize winner announced at the end of the day.
Venue
Terms and conditions
For further information, please contact:
Email: Rukiyat.Babajide@rcpsych.ac.uk
Contact Name: Rukiyat Babajide
Contact number: 020 8618 4288