3rd International Conference on Pluralistic Counselling & Psychotherapy

28 – 29 March 2020. Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Call for Submissions

We are delighted to invite submissions for the third international conference on pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. We are seeking submissions of abstracts for the following formats:

  • Papers: 30 minutes (20 minutes presentation/10 minute questions)

  • Symposia: 3-5 papers on a linked theme; total 90 minutes

  • Dialogue/discussion sessions: 60 or 90 minutes

  • Workshops: 60 or 90 minutes

  • Posters: A1, portrait

  • Conference Application: Click here to book your place on this conference

The conference welcomes submissions which further the exploration of pluralistic, collaborative and integrative approaches to therapeutic practice.  Submissions may include theoretical, research and case-study contributions that focus on one or more of the following:

  • Practice: The use of the pluralistic framework across different contexts and with different client groups. This may include shared decision making; tailoring therapy to clients’ preferences; working with goals, tasks, and methods; responding to cultural difference; collaborative case formulation; working with couples, families and groups; using creative and expressive techniques; development of feedback tools and measures; psychotherapy integration; collaborative practices.
  • Training: Training principles and practices for pluralistic therapy, modalities of delivery and student experience, supervision, deliberate practice, and self-practice.
  • Research: Research exploring the pluralistic framework and related practices through quantitative, qualitative and autoethnographic methodologies informed by a range of disciplinary perspectives, including process and outcome studies, research initiatives and developments, and collaborative research with service users.
  • Practitioners: Looking at such issues as identity, self-care, values, personal therapy, and well-being.

We welcome submissions from trainees, practitioners, and service users, as well as more experienced academic and researchers.  Our aim is to create a warm, friendly, and supportive environment in which a plurality of voices and perspectives can be heard and exchanged. We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics, but explicit links to—and implications for—a collaborative pluralistic framework should always be made.

Conditions of Acceptance

By submitting and electronically signing your abstract, you will be acknowledging that you have read and accept these Conditions of Acceptance:

  • Selected presenters, whether presenting papers, workshops or posters, do not receive free conference registration. You will, however, be offered a reduction on the applicable conference fee
  • Selected presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
  • The presenter’s abstract will be reproduced for the conference programme, and may be edited if necessary due to space restrictions.
  • Presenters of papers and workshops wishing to use a PowerPoint presentation will be required to provide their presentation to the conference organisers one week prior to the conference.
  • Where material relating to a client or clients is included in the presentation, letters of consent, signed by the client(s), should be available on request. It is essential that clients’ identities are adequately disguised/anonymized.
  • Presenters of posters are required to prepare their poster in accordance with the guidelines for submission of accepted posters.
  • By making a submission, you are confirming that you do not have any conflicts of interest that would prevent you from being a conference presenter.

How to Submit

  • Please submit the form which is at the bottom of this page.
  • The deadline for submissions is midnight 07 February 2020.
  • Abstracts will be reviewed by the Conference Scientific Committee.
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 21 February 2020.
  • There is no limit to the number of abstracts you can submit.

Paper presentations can address any aspect of pluralistic theory or practice.  They may take the form of research findings, measure development studies, theoretical/conceptual issues, or case study. Papers will be allocated a 30 minute time slot (except for papers in a symposium, see below), of which the final 10 minutes should provide an opportunity for questions/dialogue with the audience.  Abstracts should be approximately 250 words, providing a brief outline of the proposed paper with the following sections:

  • Title of paper
  • Name(s) and affiliation(s) of author(s)
  • Background to the topic or research study, including aims
  • Methods if a research study or case study, including ethical procedures
  • Results/Analysis (for empirical papers, this should be the main focus of the talk)
  • Conclusions (covering the implications for pluralistic practice, training, or research).

If you would like to group 3-5 papers together to form a symposium, please indicate this in a covering email, along with all included paper proposals and a brief overview statement explaining the symposium theme.  You may also wish to nominate a discussant who will have approximately 5 minutes to respond to the papers.  Symposia will be scheduled for 90 minutes in total.

Dialogues can address any aspect of pluralistic practice, and will be allocated 60 or 90 minutes. They can comprise of 2-5 named speakers, focusing on a particular question or concern related to pluralism in therapy. Typically, a panel discussion will begin with brief statements by each speaker (5-10 minutes), followed by discussion within the panel and then contributions from/dialogue with the audience. Panel members may also provide closing statements. Abstracts should be approximately 250 words, providing a brief outline of the dialogue with the following sections:

  • Title of panel dialogue
  • Name(s) and affiliation(s) of contributors
  • Topic/Question for discussion (this may be the same as the title)
  • Rationale to the topic/question
  • Format for the dialogue (e.g., 5 minute introductions by each speaker followed by dialogue with audience)
  • Preferred duration of the panel dialogue (60 or 90 minutes)
  • Contribution covering the potential implications for pluralistic practice, training, or research.

Workshops

Workshops should provide an interactive format to help participants explore and/or develop their skills, knowledge, or understanding in a particular topic area. They may include group exercises, personal sharing, skills practice, and/or discussions. A workshop should not be an extended lecture, or involve data collection from participants (unless this is made explicit in the abstract and formal consent is sought). It is advisable that, when planning workshops, presenters aim for a group of not more than 30 participants. This will ensure full participation by all workshop members. Abstracts should be approximately 250 words, providing a brief outline of the proposed workshop, and include:

  • Title of workshop
  • Name(s) and affiliation(s) of author(s)
  • Rationale for the workshop
  • Aims of the workshop
  • Learning Outcomes of the workshop
  • Preferred duration of the workshop (60 or 90 minutes)
  • Numbers for minimum and maximum workshop attendees

On the submission form there is also a section for ‘Additional Information’. This may include:

  • Type and size of room needed
  • Description of room resources required (e.g. moveable chairs/tables/carpet…)
  • Resources required – technological or otherwise
  • Dress code of participants as needed for the workshop (e.g. tracksuit/comfortable shoes…)
  • Resources participants need to bring with them

Posters

Posters offer presenters the opportunity to visually share findings of theoretical, empirical, or practical studies, as well as reflections on their practices. Posters will be on display throughout the conference. Poster authors will be asked to be personally present by their poster at scheduled poster sessions as indicated in the conference programme. This will allow interested participants to ask questions and initiate discussions. Posters must be:

  • A1 portrait (interesting guidance available at http://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design)
  • The title and author/s should appear at the top of your poster.
  • Poster should reflect the same contents as your submitted abstract.
  • Poster should be written in letters/have visuals large enough to be read/seen clearly from a distance of 1.5 meters.
  • High quality production, with high resolution images and a mix of text and infographics.

Poster abstracts should be approximately 250 words, providing a brief outline of the proposed poster, and include:

  • Title of poster
  • Name(s) and affiliation(s) of author(s)
  • Background to the topic or research study, including aims
  • Methods (if a research study or case study, including ethical procedures)
  • Results/Analysis
  • Conclusions (covering the implications for pluralistic practice, training, or research)