Wominjeka yearmann koondee biik Wurundjeri balluk
Welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people(see this page for the story of the Wurundjeri)
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we will meet. We pay our respect to their ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contribution to Australian and global society.
The 2026 AACBT National Conference in Naarm | Melbourne will provide an opportunity to engage with national and international leaders from across the family of the cognitive and behavioural therapies. The conference program will bring together researchers, clinicians, educators, and students working across the lifespan and across public, community, and private practice settings. Speakers will present recent evidence-based advances and emerging clinical ideas relevant to both common and complex psychological and health conditions.
We have extended our annual conference to be 3 full days, with an increase in clinician focus!
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.
Our theme: Evolving practice: curiosity, context and connection
This theme highlights three elements that remain central to effective practice. Curiosity supports strong formulation and helps clinicians remain open, reflective, and responsive. Context reminds us that psychological difficulties are shaped by developmental, relational, cultural, and systemic factors, and that evidence-based practice must be adapted thoughtfully to the real-world settings in which therapy occurs. Connection, including the quality of the therapeutic relationship and our capacity to work collaboratively, remains central to engagement, learning, and meaningful change.
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.
See more of our conference pages for more details:
Abstract information | Abstract portal | Partnerships | Program | Social events | Speaker information | Things to do | Ticket sales
Book through the accommodation portal for great deals
The conference is supported by Mr Peter Pohlman (Conference Secretariat).
The AACBT Board is grateful for the assistance of the many volunteers it takes to put on a successful conference of this scale.
You can download the Eventee app for use on your mobile device from the below links, or view on desktop here:
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(search for "AACBT")
