SESSION FORMAT

A Workshop provides the audience with a hands-on, focused learning experience that provides instruction in a particular clinical, research, or other technique for debate or discussion among a small audience. 

GUIDELINES

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

• Should be 3 hours long
• Provides instruction on treatment, research method, delivery, or organization of services.
• Should focus on hands-on learning so ticketed attendees leave the session with concrete skills to include in their practice.
• An overall Proceedings Abstract AND an overall Review Abstract are required for this type of submission.
• The Review Abstract should clearly define the topic, the goals, and the methods, and should specify the contribution of each presenter included in the submission. It should specify the teaching methods and timetable for the Workshop.

STANDARD ROOM SETUP & AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

A Workshop will be in a room set up with round tables to facilitate hands-on and group learning. 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 Workshop should include the following items:

• Overall Submission Title (no more than 20 words)
• Chair(s) affiliation and email address(s)
• At least two (2) educational learning objectives
• Keywords for the overall submission
• Overall Review Abstract
• Overall Proceedings Abstract
• Names, organizations, contact information, email addresses, and disclosures for all co-presenters

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

Workshops are ticketed events. Attendance is limited to 30-35 participants in addition to the presenter(s).

Successful submissions should address “what you are going to teach your audience,” the methods should address “how you are going to teach it, including who will teach what, whether there will be handouts, etc.,” and results should address “how they will be able to use the knowledge.”

Each submission must provide a clear description of the method of teaching that will be used as well as a specific description of teaching materials (e.g., video clips, evidence-based treatment manuals, handouts, rating scales, etc.). Submissions about clinical techniques should include a brief description of or reference to the scientific evidence for and limitations of the treatment technique. This is not the forum to spend all the time presenting evidence.
To help defray the costs of providing handout materials to participants, the Program Chair may claim up to $75 for reimbursement (upon submitting receipts for approval). In addition, presenters will also be able to upload their presentation materials to AACAP's website before the meeting for registered participants. All accepted submissions must display full disclosure slides to the audience.

START YOUR SUBMISSION

AACAP will accept approximately forty (40) Workshops sessions this year. All Workshops must submit a complete proposal each year to be considered for the scientific program at the Annual Meeting. To submit a Workshop for consideration, select “Begin a Submission” at the top or bottom right-hand side of this page.

Questions regarding Workshops can be submitted to meetings@aacap.org.