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!