SESSION FORMAT

A Clinical Perspectives program presents a particular topic or theme related to treatment, research method, service delivery, or clinical care, which includes evidence-based materials as well as the "art" and clinical wisdom of the practice of child and adolescent psychiatry. They provide an opportunity for discussion by experts who approach an issue from slightly different, but complementary perspectives, or discussion of a controversial topic by experts with differing views.

GUIDELINES

A Clinical Perspectives should follow these guidelines in order to be considered by the Program Committee for the 2026 Annual Meeting program:

• Submitters select either 90-minutes or 2-hours for this submission.
  • For 90 minute session: 2-3 individual presentations (15-20 minutes MAXIMUM per presentation).
  • For 2 hour session: 3-4 individual presentations (15-20 minutes MAXIMUM per presentation).
• Approximately half of the time should be dedicated to discussant’s comments, general discussion, and a question & answer period with the audience with a MINIMUM of 30-40 minutes dedicated to open discussion and audience interaction with presenters.
• A 2-hour Clinical Perspectives should have no more than 6 presenters, including chair(s) and discussant(s).
• An overall Proceedings Abstract and individual presentation Proceedings Abstracts are required for this type of submission.

NOTE: Clinical Perspectives do not require a Review Abstract.

STANDARD ROOM SETUP & AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

A Clinical Perspectives will be in a room with theatre style seating. A podium and head table will be provided for presenters. If accepted, AACAP will provide a screen and a projector for this session type. Microphones are provided based on room size. Additional AV requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each submission for a Clinical Perspectives program should include the following items:

• Overall Submission Title (no more than 20 words)
• Chair(s) affiliation and email address(es)
• At least two (2) educational learning objectives
• Keywords for the overall submission
• Overall Proceedings Abstract
• Bibliography listing at least one (1) but no more than five (5) references for your overall submission
• Individual Proceedings Abstract and keywords for each presentation
• Names, organizations, contact information, email addresses, and disclosures for all co-presenters
• Recording release for all chair(s) and co-presenter(s) listed

CONTENT ADDRESSING ETHICAL AND INCLUSIVE CLINICAL EDUCATION

AACAP is deeply committed to advancing mental health access and quality care across populations. We support training and practice approaches that help clinicians provide effective, person-centered, and contextually informed care for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

We strongly encourage presenters to consider including content that examines variations in prevalence, diagnosis, or treatment across varied cultures, groups, and communities — or to explore other meaningful ways to integrate principles that promote inclusion and ethical care into their presentations. This may include inviting presenters with a range of perspectives, incorporating insights from individuals with personal or community experience, or drawing from the setting of Atlanta to enrich the session content in ways that reflect AACAP’s mission.

If such information is limited or not included in a presenter’s work, we ask that speakers acknowledge these gaps and highlight the need for continued efforts to better meet the needs of diverse communities in research and practice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Clinical Perspectives are similar in structure to Symposia. However, while Symposia emphasize the presentation of original research reports, Clinical Perspectives can include historical information, case presentations, systematic observations, methodology, descriptions of systems of care, etc. It is the recommendation of the Program Committee that presenters come from different institutions. However, if all speakers are from the same site, then a discussant from another site should be included.

Although not required, the Program Committee looks favorably on inclusion of an independent discussant able to integrate and critique individual presentations and summarize their clinical implications, particularly if information presented is new or controversial.

If the submission is selected to be a part of the scientific program at the Annual Meeting, the session chair is responsible for ensuring that the amount of individual presentation content is appropriate for the available time frame and for keeping speakers on schedule during the live session. All accepted submissions must also display full disclosure slides to the audience during the live session.

Submissions about clinical techniques should include a brief description of or reference to the scientific evidence for and limitations of the treatment technique.

START YOUR SUBMISSION

AACAP will accept approximately seventy (70) Clinical Perspectives this year. All Clinical Perspectives must submit a complete proposal each year to be considered for the scientific program at the Annual Meeting. To submit a Clinical Perspectives session for consideration, select “Begin a Submission” at the top or bottom right-hand side of this page.

Questions regarding Clinical Perspectives can be submitted to meetings@aacap.org.