
The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Psychology UGM) hosted three key events aimed at strengthening the development of evidence-based psychology practices in Indonesia.
The agenda included a Regional Workshop, a Comprehensive Systematic Review training, and the Board Meeting of the Association of Indonesian Higher Education Providers in Psychology (AP2TPI).
The four-day program, held from Jul. 28 to 31, 2025, was designed to reinforce standardized, scientific, and socially relevant psychology practices. The events were organized by AP2TPI with support from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).
The opening agenda was the Regional Workshop themed “Evidence-Based Psychology Practices”, held on Monday, Jul. 28, 2025, in Room A-203, Psychology UGM.
The workshop was attended by representatives from various associations and professional organizations, including the Indonesian Psychological Association (HIMPSI).
It served as a starting point for aligning perspectives and formulating action plans for developing evidence-based psychological services.
Discussions also focused on identifying local needs and strategies for adapting the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) approach within the Indonesian context.
In his remarks, Professor Bagus Takwin, representing HIMPSI from Universitas Indonesia, emphasized that the meeting provided a space for collective reflection.
He stressed that psychological practice must be grounded in scientific evidence relevant to the social realities of Indonesian society.
“It is time for us to ask: what is the evidence, and for whom is it produced?” he said.
During the introductory session, three academics from the University of Adelaide, Bianca Pilla, Professor Deborah Turnbull, and Dr. Chevaun Haseldine, introduced the EBP framework widely implemented in Australia.
They explained that EBP integrates three main components: scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and the values and needs of the individuals served.
This approach is considered to enhance the quality of interventions and strengthen public trust in psychological services.
They also highlighted the importance of continuous training for professionals to maintain the relevance of their practice.
The following session, presented by Professor Turnbull, Dr. Sonia Hines, and Pilla, showcased various case studies of EBP implementation in psychology, nursing, and healthcare.
They illustrated how EBP supports more accurate, ethical, and long-term decision-making.
The case studies broadened participants’ perspectives on EBP’s flexibility across different service contexts.
Participants were also invited to analyze how similar approaches could be adapted in Indonesia, taking into account on-the-ground realities.
Furthermore, Dr. Natasha van Antwerpen outlined the professional psychology system in Australia.
She explained the roles of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in ensuring service quality and professional competence.
This presentation offered an international perspective on regulatory systems supporting evidence-based practice.
The discussion leads to building a similar mechanism tailored to Indonesia’s policy and professional landscape.
The challenges and opportunities of implementing evidence-based psychology in Indonesia became the central theme of the next session.
This discussion featured key figures, including Dr. Rahmat Hidayat, Dean of Psychology UGM and Chair of AP2TPI, Dr. Andik Matulessy, Chair of HIMPSI, mental health policy reform advocate Alissa Qotrunnada Munawaroh Wahid, and Iffah Rosyiana, Director of the Bina Insan Mandiri Psychology Bureau.
The speakers underscored the importance of multi-sector collaboration and cross-professional awareness in advancing EBP.
They also encourage the integration of evidence-based approaches in psychology education and training in Indonesia.
The workshop concluded with group discussions on strategies for implementing EBP in Indonesian psychological services.
Each group developed action plans based on internal and external environmental analyses, major challenges, as well as institutional strengths and opportunities.
Participants also explored potential funding sources, policy support, and cross-institutional collaboration schemes.
The event marked an important first step in building a collective commitment towards more scientific, effective, and impactful psychological practice.
Reporter: Psychology UGM/Relung Fajar Sukmawati
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Fadia Hayu Godwina