Edward Callus

Dr. Edward Callus is the Head of Clinical Psychology at the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato in Milan and a researcher of clinical psychology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Milan.

He graduated as a psychologist first in Malta and then in Italy, and after some time defended his doctoral thesis in clinical psychology at the University of Bergamo. He specializes in psychotherapy at the Center for the Study of Gestalt Therapy (CSTG) in 2012, having received in 2017 the title of Associate Professor of Psychotherapy at the Italian Federation of Gestalt Schools and Institutes.

At the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, he coordinates psychological activities in various departments, paying special attention to the psychosocial aspects of caring for patients with congenital and acquired heart defects at various stages of hospitalization. Together with his team, he manages the consulting bureau and psychological training of hospital staff and consultants, promotes the inclusion of a psychologist in a multidisciplinary team for patient care, without neglecting the support of their families. His activities are also aimed at non-hospitalized patients.

Participates in multicenter projects, such as the study of psychological functioning, quality of life and understanding of health in adult patients with congenital heart defects (APPROACH-IS). His scientific works are devoted to the topics of psychology and psychotherapy related to cardiopathic disorders in both adults and children, the need for psychological support in the postoperative period and prevention. His works are published in Pediatric Med Chir, Front Psychol, Cardiol Young and other specialized journals.

He is a founding partner of the Italian Alstrom Syndrome Association (ASSAI), a member of Beating Hearts Malta Malta (BHM), Vice President of the European Association of Congenital Heart Diseases (ECHDO), and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian Association of Congenital Heart Defects in Adults (AICCA).