Connecting with self, others and the environment in a complex world – UKCP’s annual research conference

On Saturday, 7 June 2025, we will hold a one-day research event on the theme of connecting with self, others and the environment in a complex world. This event will showcase emerging research on this topic and is a great opportunity to explore how psychotherapy and connection intersect.

Interested in exploring how psychotherapists can connect with themselves, both as practitioners and people, with others in our local and global communities and with the environment during this complicated time in human history? Do you want to explore the role that psychotherapy can play in strengthening community and building resilience?

You’ll have the opportunity to hear from UKCP members about the research they’ve conducted on this theme, attend talks from research experts in this field, and connect with other psychotherapists interested in psychotherapy and connection.

Book your ticket

Learning objectives

During this event, you will:

hear from leading researchers on emerging themes within the psychotherapy research field
attend engaging workshops and interact in Q&A’s with speakers
network with other psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors interested in these topics.

Full programme coming soon.

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in the latest developments in psychotherapy research.

Date: Saturday 7 June 2025

Time: 10am - 4pm

Book now

Speakers

Dr Linda Finlay

Linda Finlay practices as an existential, relational-centred integrative psychotherapist based in York. She also teaches psychology/counselling at the Open University.

She is an academic consultant offering bespoke training, mentoring and supervision packages on different aspects of relational/existential psychotherapy practice, research, and writing.

She has published widely, including textbooks and articles on relational and integrative psychotherapy, as well as qualitative and phenomenological research and reflexivity.

Alix Hearn

Alix is an integrative child and adolescent psychotherapist, ecopsychotherapist and clinical supervisor with fourteen years of experience as a specialist working with children, young people and families. She has worked within schools, specialist trauma and adoption teams, child and adolescent mental health services, residential children’s homes, and private practice.

Alix specialises in the areas of developmental trauma, adoption and fostering, rape and sexual abuse. She is particularly interested in and passionate about youth justice/youth offending and ecotherapy and how they can be brought together. Her chapter ‘Ecopsychotherapy with children and young people in mind: attachment to place, nature, and landscape’ was published in 'One Tree, Many Branches: The Practice of Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy'  written by B.Merrick and D.Gammage.

CPD

After this event, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which you can submit for consideration towards your CPD hours.

Registration

Registration type	Price
Student/Trainee	£20
UKCP Member	£30
Non-member	£40

Call for abstracts

We encourage anyone interested to submit an abstract to present their research at this event. Abstracts will be due on Monday, 3 March 2025. The theme can be interpreted in a variety of ways. For example:

a therapeutic approach to building community in a polarised world
how therapy can help address the loneliness epidemic
the importance of reflexivity and self-knowledge in a therapy context
the role of therapy in reconnecting with nature
practicing therapy in a multicultural world
technology as a connector and divider for therapeutic practice.

To submit an abstract, please fill out this Google form. More information about the event and how to register will be available soon.

Important dates

Deadline for abstracts: Monday, 3 March 2025
Final papers/presentations due: Monday, 5 May 2025
Research event: Saturday, 7 June 2025.

Event T&Cs

You can view UKCP's terms and conditions for booking and attending events on our website. When you register to attend a UKCP event you are agreeing with the event terms and conditions.