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Conference

Faculty of Psychotherapy 2025 Conference

Abstract submission now open

Date

23 - 25 October 2025

Location

Doubletree by Hilton Perth Waterfront
1 Barrack Square, Perth WA 6000

Organised by

RANZCP

Delivery

In-person
Psychotherapy Trauma

The 2025 Faculty of Psychotherapy Conference will explore the theme  ‘Weaving the therapeutic fabric: integration of psychodynamic psychotherapy with contemporary therapeutic approaches for treatment of trauma. 

Recognizing the contribution of underlying trauma is often essential in our approach to treatment of psychiatric distress. Creation of safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship is central and is the core of psychodynamic psychotherapy approaches. The weaving metaphor highlights the uniqueness of the therapeutic process for each individual. In this conference, we will explore the ways contemporary therapeutic approaches for trauma can be woven in to the fabric of therapy to enhance the healing process. 

Dr Tanya Devadason 
Conference Convenor

Keynote Speaker

Associate Professor Loyola McLean

A/Prof Loyola McLean is a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist in public, private and academic practice, with interests in the relational bodymind interface, stress system disorders, attachment, trauma, psychotherapy and integrated trauma-informed care (TIC), and the care and supervision of teams. She applies mixed methods approaches to her research and integrates the Conversational Model, attachment, bodymind and systems thinking into her therapeutic and supervisory approaches. Her Adult Attachment Interview Coder and Trainer experience influences her work, as does her family's Stolen and Hidden story as Indigenous Australians and her lived experience as a carer and a child of parents with mental illness. She is part of the Westmead Psychotherapy Program for Complex Traumatic Disorders, designing and delivering the new online Masters of Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, and part of the MMed Psychiatry/FEC team at the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney. For joy and healing she makes music and values our Australian shared journey to reconciliation: Ngahnu wanarayimanha nurragi (Wajarri) - We are all walking home, together.
A/Prof Loyola McLean is a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist in public, private and academic practice, with interests in the relational bodymind interface, stress system disorders, attachment, trauma, psychotherapy and integrated trauma-informed care (TIC), and the care and supervision of teams. She applies mixed methods approaches to her research and integrates the Conversational Model, attachment, bodymind and systems thinking into her therapeutic and supervisory approaches. Her Adult Attachment Interview Coder and Trainer experience influences her work, as does her family's Stolen and Hidden story as Indigenous Australians and her lived experience as a carer and a child of parents with mental illness. She is part of the Westmead Psychotherapy Program for Complex Traumatic Disorders, designing and delivering the new online Masters of Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, and part of the MMed Psychiatry/FEC team at the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney. For joy and healing she makes music and values our Australian shared journey to reconciliation: Ngahnu wanarayimanha nurragi (Wajarri) - We are all walking home, together.

Program

The conference will commence with an optional half-day workshop on Thursday 23 October. The main conference program will then run on Friday 24 - Saturday 25 October 2025. 

The welcome reception will be held on Thursday evening and a conference dinner on the Friday.

Registration 

Registration will open Friday 11 April 2025.

Abstract submission

Abstracts are now invited. If you wish to submit an abstract for consideration by the Organising Committee, you must also intend to register for the conference. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure your abstract is submitted correctly.

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 30 May 2025

Abstract submission key dates

Abstract submission opens: Thursday 20 March 2025

Abstract submission closes: Friday 30 May 2025

Notification to authors: Friday 20 June 2025

Author acceptance due: Friday 11 July 2025

Presentation type

When submitting an abstract, please indicate whether you wish for it to be considered for an oral or poster presentation. An oral presentation should include time for questions and may highlight research findings, clinical case experience, or another topic of interest to the conference theme.  

How to submit your abstract  

Abstract submission is a two-step process:

Step 1

Download the Abstract template , save it to your desktop and complete it.

Step 2

Create an account via the abstract submission portal and upload your abstract.

Please note:

  • All abstracts must be prepared according to the guidelines provided. Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned to the author and must be re-submitted immediately in the correct format to be considered for inclusion in the program.
  • Abstract submission will close at 11.59 pm AEDT on Friday 20 May 2025.

    Submit an abstract

Abstract speaker registration

The invitation to submit an abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation or registration costs associated with the conference. Similarly, no presenter fee is paid to successful participants.

All presenters must register for the conference in order for the presentation to be included in the program.

Contact

For any enquiries regarding abstract submission please contact the events@ranzcp.org

Support and exhibition

The Organising Committee is pleased to offer various support and exhibition packages that will maximise your company's visibility at the conference. To discuss support opportunities please email events@ranzcp.org. 

Terms & conditions

Cancellation policy

Delegate cancellation - change of mind

All requests for cancellation must be made in writing and sent to events@ranzcp.org. 

Cancellations received before Sunday 21 September 2025 will incur a $75.00 administration fee. No refunds will be issued after this date. However, an alternative delegate name may be submitted. All cancellations and substitutions must be made in writing to events@ranzcp.org.

Delegate cancellation - medical

The health and safety of conference attendees is our highest priority. The RANZCP is mindful of the health risks posed by COVID-19, and the importance of following official medical advice with respect to social distancing, practicing good hygiene and staying at home when unwell. The RANZCP requests that any delegate who is feeling unwell or has cold or flu-like symptoms, or who may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, not attend the conference.

If, on medical grounds, you are unable to attend the conference, you must cancel your attendance in writing by email to events@ranzcp.org. A full refund will be provided; however, you may be asked to provide additional details.

Conference cancellation

If we are required to make any changes or cancellations to our conference due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to Acts of God, terrorism, war, strikes or industrial action, fire, explosion, inevitable accident, breakdown of property, changes in law, or pandemics or global health crises, delegates will be notified by email and will be provided a full refund of their registration fee.

Health and safety

All participants at the conference will be required to comply with the Health and Safety Guidelines and protocols in place with the venue/s and the conference which will be aligned and compliant with all relevant Commonwealth and state government health advice at that time. By registering for this event, the RANZCP reserves the right to provide your contact details to authorities for the purposes of contact tracing and any other relevant government requirements. Details of any relevant protocols and requirements will be communicated to delegates who will be bound by these requirements.

Insurance

Conference participants are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. The RANZCP and the conference Organising Committee accept no responsibility for any loss in this regard.

Privacy policy

The RANZCP will only collect personal information from individuals when it is reasonably necessary for the activities of the RANZCP, and all such collection will be subject to the RANZCP Privacy Policy and any other notifications.