The Francophone Association for Cognitive Remediation (AFRC)

by Nicolas Franck, Founder and President of the Francophone Association for Cognitive Remediation (AFRC) and Professor and Hospital-Practitioner at Claude Bernard University, CNRS (UMR 5229) and Le Vinatier Hospital (National Resource Center for Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Pôle Centre Rive Gauche)

Founded in 2009 in Lyon, the Francophone Association for Cognitive Remediation (AFRC) was created to promote the dissemination, scientific rigor, and large-scale implementation of cognitive remediation in France and across French-speaking countries. At the time, despite robust international evidence supporting cognitive remediation as an effective intervention for cognitive impairments associated with severe mental disorders, its availability remained extremely limited in francophone mental health systems. The AFRC was established to address this discrepancy between scientific knowledge and clinical practice.

From its inception, the AFRC has pursued a dual mission: to structure professional expertise in cognitive remediation and to facilitate its integration into routine care pathways. A cornerstone of this effort has been the creation, in partnership with Claude Bernard University (Lyon), of the only French university diploma entirely dedicated to cognitive remediation. Launched in 2009, this program has consistently trained 40 to 50 therapists per year, including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and occupational therapists. Graduates of this program now form the backbone of cognitive remediation services in France, with the majority working in psychosocial rehabilitation centers, where cognitive remediation is delivered according to evidence-based and recovery-oriented principles.

In parallel, the AFRC has organized a scientific and professional conference every year since 2009. This event typically brings together 150 to 200 participants, including clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers. It serves as a key forum for the dissemination of recent advances in cognitive remediation research, methodological innovations, and clinical implementation strategies. The conference also promotes interdisciplinary dialogue around related concepts such as functional recovery, empowerment, metacognition, and destigmatization. Hosted in a wide range of cities—including Lyon, Paris, Lausanne, Marseille, and Quebec City—the conference reflects the AFRC’s commitment to fostering an international francophone network. The 2026 edition will take place in Limoges.

The AFRC's 2026 conference will be in the beautiful city of Limoges

The AFRC’s development has been closely aligned with national mental health policies. French public authorities have formally recognized cognitive remediation as a core component of psychosocial rehabilitation, integrating it into the official specifications for rehabilitation centers. This institutional recognition has significantly contributed to the widespread deployment of cognitive remediation programs and to increased awareness among mental health professionals of the importance of systematically assessing and addressing cognitive difficulties.

Research constitutes another central pillar of the AFRC’s activities. The association contributes to ongoing data collection within the REHABase cohort, a large naturalistic database designed to evaluate rehabilitation interventions and outcomes in real-world clinical settings. These research activities aim to strengthen the empirical foundations of cognitive remediation, support continuous quality improvement, and inform public health decision-making.

Most of the AFRC’s initiatives are conducted in close collaboration with the Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale (CRR), a national public body supported by a multidisciplinary team of approximately 20 professionals, including researchers, an educational engineer, and communication specialists. Through the CRR, a wide range of open-access resources are made available online, including a MOOC (massive open online course), online training modules, psychoeducation materials, self-care booklets, and innovative awareness-raising tools such as virtual living books designed to reduce stigma and promote recovery-oriented care.

Looking ahead, the AFRC advocates for universal access to cognitive remediation for all individuals who experience clinically significant cognitive impairments. Given the magnitude of unmet needs, cognitive remediation must become a standard component of mental health care, delivered at scale and grounded in scientific evidence. Through training, research, knowledge dissemination, and institutional partnerships, the AFRC remains committed to advancing cognitive remediation as a key driver of recovery and social inclusion in French-speaking countries.