Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the 2020 BACP Research Conference had to convert to an online format at the last minute. A great deal of work went into what turned out to be a fantastic event and it received The Association Awards ‘Best Online Conference’ award for 2020. We’re working hard to try to make this year’s conference event even better.

Open to members and non-members, the Research Conference offers a vast number of resources, workshops and forums alongside two keynote speakers. This year, presentations will focus on collaborations and partnerships and you’ll hear about up to date research relevant to a range of practice settings, including private practice, universities and colleges and the NHS.

The latest research will be presented on a range of client groups and parenting issues, including online therapy, children, young people and families, trauma, bereavement, students and many more. We’ll also be looking at new advances in theoretical approaches to practice.

Pre-conference workshop and forums

The event starts on Friday 14 May with six research forums, taking place from 3.30 to 5 pm. These forums are free to attend and open to anyone. They provide an opportunity for practitioners and researchers with a shared interest to network, discuss research and identify potential areas of collaboration. 

The six forums cover:

  • postgraduate research
  • spirituality
  • improving and increasing access to counselling and psychotherapy services
  • supervision
  • children, young people and families
  • higher and further education

To find out more and book a place, see BACP Research Conference

From 6.30 to 7 pm you’ll have access to the pre-conference workshop, hosted by this year's co-hosts, the University of Salford. With the theme ‘Taking research from concept to counselling practice: building on foundations’ this workshop aims to help you understand the process of taking research from initial concept to clinical intervention and will explore how delegates’ current research projects could be developed into counselling practice.

Keynotes

At the live event on Saturday 15 May, our keynote speakers will be Michael Barkham and Mick Cooper.

Michael’s presentation focuses on the results of the randomised control trial (PRaCTICED) comparing person-centred experiential therapy with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This took place within the Sheffield Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme.

Mick will present the results of the ETHOS trial which looked at the effects of an intervention for young people in 18 London schools, in what was the largest ever study of person-centred school counselling in the UK.

After their keynotes, Michael and Mick will come together in a live discussion session focusing on the future of person-centred therapy and its place in the therapeutic landscape.

Presentations and workshops

During the live event, you'll be able to choose from 22 presentations across three strands from a variety of researchers. Any you miss will be available on our on-demand catch up service until Tuesday 17 August, together with more than 40 other pre-recorded presentations and selected presentation slides.

You can also take part in live workshops on the themes of:

  • Developing a pluralistic framework for counselling and psychotherapy research
  • Intersubjectively negotiating the space between us: a way of 'being in research with individuals that are often misrepresented or misunderstood

And don't forget to visit our annual online poster exhibition, which showcases emerging research from the counselling and psychotherapy field.

CPD and learning

We hope you'll find attending the Research Conference of huge benefit for your CPD. You'll be able to count the hours towards your annual CPD requirement and download CPD certificates after the event.

Book your place at the 27th Annual Research Conference

Find out more...