About

The 2026 conference theme is “Evolving practice: curiosity, context, and connection”.
Reflecting feedback from our members and past attendees, the 2026 conference will place a strong emphasis on clinically practical content. For the first time, the conference will run across three full days, providing an expanded scientific program alongside masterclasses and opportunities for skills-based learning. The program will include sessions designed to support clinicians working in real-world settings, as well as a panel discussion bringing together keynote speakers, invited experts, and lived experience perspectives to explore contemporary issues relevant to the cognitive and behavioural therapies.

The cognitive and behavioural therapies have always been shaped by a commitment to empirical enquiry, thoughtful clinical practice, and a shared focus on supporting meaningful change. At the same time, the field continues to evolve in response to emerging science, new therapeutic developments, and the diverse contexts in which people experience distress and seek support.

Extending the best traditions of previous AACBT conferences, the 2026 program will showcase high-quality research and innovative clinical work that reflects the breadth of contemporary cognitive and behavioural approaches. This includes advances in assessment, formulation, intervention, and service delivery, alongside emerging ideas that continue to strengthen how we understand and apply evidence-based psychological care.

We invite you to join us in 2026 to share knowledge, connect with new and familiar faces from across the AACBT community, and contribute to the ongoing development of evidence-based practice in Australia.
3
Days
14
Speakers
3
Partners
121
Sessions
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AACBT 46th National Conference 2026

Program

Categories:
Stages
Clarenden Room Room A

12:00 AM

1:00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

5:00 AM

6:00 AM

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Registration open

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Peter Pohlman Peter Pohlman

Morning Tea (walls)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

The ACT Kidflex: a simple model for children and adolescents (free)

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tamar Black Tamar Black

Lunch

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Is prolonged exposure right for this client? (free)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Kim L Felmingham Kim L Felmingham

Afternoon Tea

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Therapeutic approaches for comorbid trauma in severe mental illness

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Movement

3:45 PM - 3:50 PM

Brief, intensive and concentrated OCD therapy: a clinical roundtable

3:50 PM - 4:35 PM

Nathan Dowling

4:35 PM - 4:47 PM

Movement (walls)

4:47 PM - 5:00 PM

ECR Meeting

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Luke Ney Luke Ney
Clarenden Room Room B

12:00 AM

1:00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

5:00 AM

6:00 AM

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Registration open

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Peter Pohlman Peter Pohlman

Morning Tea (walls)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Ultra-brief treatments across the lifespan: efficacy and potential mechanisms

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Katrina Prior (A)

11:30 AM - 11:42 AM

Katrina Prior (B)

11:42 AM - 11:54 AM

Movement

11:54 AM - 12:00 PM

Lunch

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

AACBT AGM

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Ross G Menzies Ross G Menzies

Identity, stigma, and wellbeing in autistic adults: from self processes to intervention pathways

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

E Slodecki; A Basu; T Rooney

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Afternoon Tea

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Mental imagery and pain

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Movement

3:45 PM - 3:50 PM

This is not about academic misconduct: what digital-augmentation means for CBT education, supervision and practitioner competence

3:50 PM - 4:35 PM

Thomas Woldhuis

4:35 PM - 4:47 PM

Movement (walls)

4:47 PM - 5:00 PM

Close of Day 1

5:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Welcome Function

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Clarenden Room Room C

12:00 AM

1:00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

5:00 AM

6:00 AM

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Registration open

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Peter Pohlman Peter Pohlman

Welcome & National President Address

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Lisa Catania
Ross G Menzies

Rethinking treatment of depression: lessons from what I got wrong

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Steven D Hollon Steven D Hollon

Morning Tea (walls)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Understanding and addressing cognitions related to loneliness and social connection

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Melanie Dalton

11:30 AM - 11:42 AM

Jessica Belcher

11:42 AM - 11:54 AM

Movement

11:54 AM - 12:00 PM

Lunch

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Partnering with families to transform access to evidence-based care for children

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

A Roth; P Davis; S Adamec

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Afternoon Tea

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Mia Pellizzer

3:00 PM - 3:12 PM

Vanessa Cobham

3:12 PM - 3:24 PM

Phillipa Huynh

3:24 PM - 3:36 PM

Reuben Kindred

3:36 PM - 3:48 PM

Movement

3:48 PM - 3:53 PM

Ruby Hamer

3:53 PM - 4:05 PM

Leilani Frost

4:05 PM - 4:17 PM

Leo Marcus

4:17 PM - 4:29 PM

Jessica Tran

4:29 PM - 4:41 PM

Movement

4:41 PM - 4:47 PM

Movement (walls)

4:47 PM - 5:00 PM

Invited Speaker Day 1

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Close of Day 1

5:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Welcome Function

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Partners

Book Supporter

Accommodation

Conference Lanyard Supporter

Exhibitors

Woodslane Health
Woodslane Health

Contact information

Event date:
15. October - 17. October, 2026
Organizer:
AACBT Australia [email protected]
Contact organizer