2025 WAMFT Annual Conference Workshop Proposal

Conference Title: 

Systemic Futures: Creative Approaches to Dialogue and Healing

We are excited to announce the call for proposals for the 2025 WAMFT Annual Fall Conference, themed Systemic Futures: Creative Approaches to Dialogue and Healing. This year’s conference will highlight the innovative, creative, and interdisciplinary ways systemic therapists are expanding their reach, shaping conversations, and deepening healing practices.

Conference Tracks and Distinctions

Our conference will feature three core tracks, each exploring different facets of systemic therapy’s evolving future. Within these tracks, presenters can apply for specialized distinctions, including:

  • Sex Therapy: Proposals with a focus on sexuality and relational health that qualify for AASECT CEUs.
  • Law & Ethics: Presentations covering legal and ethical considerations in systemic therapy that qualify for Ethics CEUs.

Attendees will have the opportunity to "choose their own adventure" by selecting from these specialized distinctions as part of their conference experience.

For any questions about what qualifies for a Law/Ethics CEU, find more here.

Conference Workshop Tracks (50-minute sessions)1. Expanding Systemic Therapy

Explore how therapists are embracing creative, interdisciplinary, and emerging approaches to expand their practice and impact. Topics may include:

  • Play therapy, art therapy, nature therapy, sex therapy, and expressive modalities
  • Integrating social media, podcasts, and digital platforms into therapy and advocacy
  • New specializations and credentials shaping the future of the field
  • The intersection of systemic therapy with coaching, consulting, and public education
2. Healing the Healers: Self-Care, Resilience, and Growth

Therapists are often at the forefront of healing others—but how do we care for ourselves? This track focuses on therapist well-being, professional sustainability, and preventing burnout. Topics may include:

  • Therapist self-care and community care practices
  • Navigating personal and professional identity development
  • Strategies for maintaining ethical boundaries while engaging in advocacy
  • Healing-centered supervision and mentorship
3. Advocacy, Justice, and Systemic Change

Systemic therapy is deeply tied to social justice and community well-being. This track explores how therapists can amplify their voices and create meaningful change. Topics may include:

  • Using systemic therapy in advocacy and activism
  • Addressing systemic barriers to mental health care
  • The therapist’s role in shaping policy, research, and public discourse
  • Innovative approaches to working with historically marginalized communities
New This Year: Enhancing the Conference Experience

To create an engaging and meaningful learning environment, presenters will be asked to provide the following details in their application:

  • Suggested Knowledge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced
  • Target Audience: Therapists, students, researchers, supervisors, or other professionals
  • Key Concepts: Prerequisite knowledge or foundational ideas relevant to the presentation
Submission & Review Information

This year, we aim for at least two-thirds of presentations to be held in person to foster deeper connection and engagement. Virtual presentations will still be available to ensure accessibility.

If you’re interested in presenting but want guidance on crafting your proposal, we encourage you to watch “Priming Yourself to Present,” part of the Building a Better Us Networking Series, available for free to WAMFT members.

Proposal Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025

For questions about the proposal process, please contact president-elect@wamft.org.

Join us in shaping the future of systemic therapy!

Presentation Information

Presentations are 50 minutes in length
90

Only the lead presenter will receive confirmation and any other information regarding participation in the WAMFT conference. As the lead presenter it will be your responsibility to keep any additional presenters informed regarding your workshop presentation. 

Upon receiving an acknowledgement of acceptance, lead presenters and co-presenters must each complete a presenter agreement and register for the conference within the timeline which will be communicated at that time. If a presenter does not complete the presenter agreement and register, the workshop may be pulled from the program. If you complete the necessary requirements after your proposal has been dropped, we will do our best to get you into the program but can't make any guarantees.