Weaving Between Worlds: Exploring diverse landscapes of pluralistic practice, theory, and research

CALL FOR PAPERS 

To be presented in NEW ZEALAND or UNITED KINGDOM (Aberdeen/Brighton/Lancashire) or ONLINE (NZ or UK timing)

25th to 27th November 2026

We are delighted to invite submissions for the eighth international conference on pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. Focusing on cultural plurality and decolonising practice, this conference invites presenters to bring distinct cultural, theoretical, and experiential “threads” that can be woven into more inclusive and dialogical forms of therapy. We particularly encourage work that challenges Western-centric assumptions and foregrounds Indigenous, bicultural, and multicultural perspectives. Our shared aim is to foster an interdependent global community of pluralistic practice grounded in multiple ways of knowing.

UK:      Wed 25th Nov (8pm to 11.30pm GMT Online live stream from NZ)

Thu 26th Nov (9am to 5.30pm GMT Online via Zoom and Live in-person in Aberdeen, Brighton and Lancashire)

NZ:      Thu 26th Nov (9am to 5.30pm NZ time Live in-person on marae and Online via Zoom)

Fri 27th Nov (9am to 5.30pm NZ time Live in-person at Massey University and Online via Zoom)

Registration Page: https://app.onlinevents.co.uk/events/1981016601984

WHO: We welcome submissions from students, practitioners, and service users, as well as more experienced academics 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 particularly welcome submissions from people with practice based knowledge who are new to presenting at an international conference. There is no limit to the number of abstracts you can submit.

WHAT: Presentations can address any aspect of pluralistic practice, theory, or research, and should focus on the conference theme of weaving between worlds. This might include exploring and acknowledging bi-cultural and multicultural approaches; the significance of diverse client preferences, beliefs, values and worldviews; weaving theory and practice across diverse landscapes and futures; reimagining pluralistic practice through multiple lenses; expanding the horizons of our communities of practice.  We welcome a range of contributions including research findings, theoretical/conceptual issues, case studies, practice reflections, developments and issues.

WHEN: The deadline for submission is Tuesday 30th June 2026

Submissions:

Papers will be allocated a 30 or 60-minute time slot of which the final 10 or 15 minutes (depending on length of paper) should provide an opportunity for questions/dialogue with the audience.

Panel dialogues will be allocated a 60 minute timeslot and can comprise of 2-5 named speakers. Typically, a panel discussion will begin with brief statements by each speaker (2-3 minutes, depending on panel numbers), followed by discussion within the panel and then contributions from/dialogue with the audience. Panel members may also provide closing statements.

Workshops will be allocated a 60 or 90 minute time slot and 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).

Posters offer presenters the opportunity to visually and/or verbally share findings of theoretical, empirical, or practical studies, as well as reflections on their practices. Posters will be on display throughout the conference. 

HOW: Submissions should be submitted online with the following details: https://app.onlinevents.co.uk/events/1981016601984/submit-proposal

Title: 

Name(s) and affiliation(s) of presenter(s):

Presenter(s) bio (80 words): A brief statement of presenters’ background and context

Format: Paper (30 or 60 minutes), Panel dialogue (60 minutes), Workshop (60 or 90 minutes), or Poster presentation

Location/Timezone: In-person – 

Abstract: approximately 250 words, providing a brief outline of the proposed presentation including the rationale (why the presentation might be of interest to delegates and how it is relevant to the conference theme), aims of the presentation, any methods, findings, and implications for practice / theory / research.

3MT: Please indicate if you would like to provide a 3 minute mini presentation to supplement your presentation either in-person or pre-recorded (see https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/resources/3mt-competitor-guide)

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

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 organizers one week prior to the conference

Presenters submitting a pre-recorded 3MT will need to submit the recording at least one month prior to the conference, and consent to their recording being shared on publicly accessible platforms.

Where material relating to a specific 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 any online format will notify, in advance, whether they wish the Zoom chat enabled or disabled during their presentation (other than for Poster presentations, where the chat will be disabled by default)

Conference Prize: To reward the contributions of our speakers, we will be offering two prizes:

Novice Presenter Award: The best poster or presentation by a current student or recent graduate (within three years of graduation)

Senior Presenter Award: The best poster or presentation by a researcher with more than three years of practice

If you are a research supervisor or educator, please encourage any students doing relevant research to submit to the conference, share their work, and to be in with a chance of a prize.

For more information…

Questions for the Conference: pluralisticpractice@gmail.com

Questions for the Event Team: help@onlinevents.co.uk