
We are pleased to announce the results of the ESSTS Board elections, held as part of the 18th International Conference in Ljubljana.
This year's election marked two signifcant records; the number of active ESSTS members, 88 in total, and the highest number of ballots cast, 65 votes submitted, a 74% participation rate.
We thank every member who took the time to vote; your engagement is what keeps ESSTS' governance accountable to its membership.
For transparency, we remind that the Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer positions were each contested by multiple candidates, while the Chair position had a single nominee.
Results
- Chair: Natalia Szejko, Poland–55.4% Yes / 32.3% No / 12.3% Abstain
- Vice-Chair: Osman Malik, United Kingdom–56.9% (Elia Abi-Jaoude 32.3%, Natalia Szejko 7.7%, Abstain 3.1%)
- Secretary: Elia Abi-Jaoude, Canada–58.5% (Laavanya Damodaran 26.2%, Abstain 15.4%)
- Treasurer: Laavanya Damodaran, United Kingdom–49.2% (Elia Abi-Jaoude 26.2%, Abstain 24.6%)

All four positions were filled in accordance with ESSTS' voting rules and procedures. We extend our congratulations to the newly elected Board, and our sincere thanks to the outgoing Board for its years of service to the Society.
We are also pleased to highlight that this Board reflects ESSTS's long-standing principle, "E for Everyone is invited"–true to that spirit, we welcome Elia Abi-Jaoude (Canada) as our first non-European Board member, a milestone that speaks to the increasingly international reach of our Society and its scientific community.
ESSTS is committed to transparency in its governance processes, which is why we publish detailed, ballot-level results rather than headline outcomes alone. We believe an informed membership is a stronger membership, and we want every voting member's perspective to be visible and respected.
In that spirit, we would like to hear from you. You can contacts us directly at elections@essts.org or via an anonymous feedback form for members to share thoughts, questions, or suggestions regarding the election process, Society governance, or priorities for the year ahead. This input will be reviewed and taken into account as the Society continues to evolve.
Thank you again for your participation and your support of ESSTS!
The Frontiers editorial office will be able to provide more information/answer any questions.
Discover the spectacular destination where we shall meet again next summer!



Invited speakers
- Le relazioni si terranno in lingua inglese con traduzione simultanea in italiano
- Accreditamento ECM per medici, psicologi, infermieri
"A brilliant and empathetic comedy narrating the daily life of a boy with Tourette."
(See detailed programme below)
- Prof Andreas Hartmann, France
Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, FR - Dr Christelle Nilles, France
Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, FR
- Michele Dunlap, Germany
President & Acting Treasurer - Marla Shea, UK/USA
Secretary
- Christina Papakaliatis, Founder
-Healthcare professionals: a round table for discussion with the speakers will be held in the afternoon.
Online registration is mandatory to secure your participation.
- This event is strictly available to adults and minors aged 16-17 years old. Underaged attendees will not be permitted access.
- The seminar is offered for educational purposes; clinical consultations with any of the invited healthcare professionals will not be provided onsite.
- Only registered participants may attend the event. We will regrettably not be able to admit other non-registered visitors accompanying you.
- Tourette Greece
- TTAG
- ESSTS
- Assessment (including differential diagnosis)
- Natural course and prognosis
- Epidemiology
- Causes & mechanisms
- Q&A
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Mood (anxiety & depression)
- Sleep
- Q&A
- Available treatments
- Clinical cases
- Comprehensive Q&A with the audience
- Tuesday, 27 May 2025: 18:00-20:00 BST. Led by: Virginie Czernecki & Katrin Woitecki
- Tuesday, 30 September 2025: 18:00-20:00 BST. Led by Tara Murphy & Jolande van de Griendt
- Tuesday, 25 November 2025: 18:00-20:00 GMT. Led by: Cara Verdellen & Katrin Woitecki
Registration rate per online consultation (2 hours): €35.
(See detailed programme below)
- Dr Christos Androutsos
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Head Consultant at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, SGHA - Dr Anastasia Dougali
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, SGHA
- Dr Marinos Kyriakopoulos
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Athanasia Makri
Psychologist
MSc in Clinical Psychology
Online registration is mandatory to secure your participation.
- This event is strictly available to adults and minors aged 16-17 years old. Underaged attendees will not be permitted access.
- The seminar is offered for educational purposes; clinical consultations with any of the invited healthcare professionals will not be provided on site.
- Only registered participants may attend the event. We will regrettably not be able to admit other non-registered visitors accompanying you.
- Behavioural approaches being adapted for acceptance – developmental factors
- Working with school, work & family
- Using Schema Therapy techniques to deal with negative childhood experiences that need addressing
- Parents Living Well with Tics; engaging the system to enhance acceptance and well being
Case discussion led by Noa Ben-Aroya, Dana Feldman and John Piacentini
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