糖心官网 International Research Conference

32nd Annual 糖心官网 International Research Conference
Collaboration for a just society - Multidisciplinary research in counselling and mental health

A leading international event for researchers and practitioners

For over 30 years, the 糖心官网 International Research Conference has been a place where researchers and practitioners come together to exchange ideas on important research findings, presented in open discussion with constructive critical debate and helpful dialogue. The conference fosters a climate where all are welcome to share learning and network with other delegates.

Over this time the conference has been attended by representatives - both presenters and delegates - from 23 countries, making it a truly international event.

32^nd Annual 糖心官网 International Research Conference: Collaboration for a just society - Multidisciplinary research in counselling and mental health

The conference was co-hosted by University of East London (UEL), which included a pre-conference on 14 May at UEL and two further days of conference that took place at The Marble Arch Hotel on 15 and 16 May 2026.

This year's conference showcased research relevant to co-construction or collaboration with research participants and people with lived experience. By lived experience, we mean people who have lived experience of using, delivering or training in, counselling, psychotherapy or coaching services. This was in addition to those who were able to draw on their experience of living with or caring for someone else using similar services. We recognise that terminology in relation to people with lived experience is evolving regularly and that preferred terms can vary (e.g., Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), Client Involvement, Experts by Experience, etc).

We also highlighted inter-, multi- or trans-disciplinary research which involved one or more disciplines or fields outside of counselling, psychotherapy or coaching which support the counselling professions. Any research that was submitted under this theme clearly outlined the implications for counselling, psychotherapy or coaching practice, or collaborative mental health interventions.

Submissions were also open to those whose research activities did not readily meet the conference theme, but whose work contributes to the evidence base for counselling, psychotherapy or coaching.

Keynote presentations

Why does research matter?

Presented by Professor Rachel Tribe, University of East London.

This keynote explored the real-world value of research for those working in psychological and therapeutic services and for those we work with. The presentation took a critical look at the arguments for and against engaging in research, unpacking the barriers that often prevent psychotherapists from getting involved and identifying practical ways to overcome them.

The ECID Project in Barcelona: implementation and evaluation of a multidisciplinary mental health intervention with high-risk adolescents

Presented by Dr Mark Dangerfield, University Institute of Mental Health Vidal & Barraquer, Barcelona

This keynote described the development and implementation of the ECID Project (Equipo Cl铆nico de Intervenci贸n a Domicilio - Home Intervention Clinical Team) in Barcelona, an in-home, mentalization-based treatment (MBT) multidisciplinary mental health team working with extremely high-risk, non-help-seeking adolescents who are at risk of social exclusion.聽