SESSIONS FORMAT

A Special Interest Study Group allows participants to share their clinical or research experience, develop collaborations or networks, or discuss mutual interests. It is a particularly useful event for emerging or ongoing collaborative groups. Slides should NOT be used in a Special Interest Study Group, though handouts are encouraged.

All Special Interest Study Groups are scheduled on the Friday and Saturday of the Annual Meeting.

GUIDELINES

A Special Interest Study Group (SIG) should follow these guidelines in order to be considered by the Program Committee for the 2026 Annual Meeting program:

• Be designed around a larger topic pertinent to CAPs.
• Based on high anticipated interest, relevance to the field, and timeliness.
• Should be a facilitated conversation with a small group of ticketed attendees.
• Should NOT be a presentation without audience interaction.
• The Review Abstract must provide details about how the session will be structured and facilitated, INCLUDING the roles of all presenters included in session.

STANDARD ROOM SETUP AND AV

A Special Interest Study Group will be in a room with seating in a u-shape or hollow square. No AV equipment will be provided.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each submission for a SIG should include the following items:

• Submission Title (no more than 20 words)
• Chair(s) affiliation, contact information, and email address(es)
• At least two (2) educational learning objectives
• Review Abstract (*See details below)
• Names, organizations, contact information, email addresses, and disclosures for all co-presenters.

* Submitters should organize the Review Abstract for the entire Special Interest Study Group presentation under the following headings:

• Objective (what is the clinical syndrome, condition or context being discussed OR what is the specific therapeutic technique that is illustrated)
• Background (some information about the topic presented in the Objective)
• Methods (give at least a one paragraph description of each case that will be presented and the manner of presentation)
• Results (describe the teaching techniques that you plan to use as well as what aspect each of the presenters and discussants will address)
• Conclusions (what aspect will each of the presenters or discussants address)
• Bibliography (provide at least 1 and no more than 5 references supporting this work)

NOTE: Special Interest Study Groups do not require a Proceedings Abstract.

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

A Special Interest Study Group (SIG) is a ticketed event. Attendance is limited to twenty-five (25) participants in addition to the presenter. The Chair and/or Co-Chair MUST be an AACAP member. AACAP recommends no more than three (3) presenters, including the chair/co-chair.

All SIGs are held concurrently on Friday and Saturday of the Annual Meeting as a live event. If a SIG has been held in the past, please indicate how this submission will either build off of previous years' events or add value to the meeting by being presented again.

START YOUR SUBMISSION

AACAP will accept approximately twelve (12) Special Interest Study Groups this year. All SIGs must submit a complete proposal each year to be considered for the scientific program at the Annual Meeting. To submit a SIG for consideration, select “Begin a Submission” at the bottom right-hand side of this page.

Questions regarding SIGs can be directed to can be directed to meetings@aacap.org.