Evolution: Foundations and Futures begins with a look at some of the foundational theories of psychotherapy. Hear from established masters who have been instrumental in shaping in the field and from new voices who are continuing to evolve psychotherapy in new and exciting directions. Day 1 focuses on the mainstays of psychotherapy, featuring the techniques and approaches that support sustainable change.

As our field continues to evolve and the next generation of Master psychotherapists are born, remembering the iconic contributions of our founders has become even more meaningful. In this heartfelt and educational session, Drs. Jeffrey Zeig and Julie T. Anné Zeig recall the profound psychological and personal impact the Masters have had on our field, and on their personal life. From Viktor Frankl to Erving Polster, Sue Johnson to Irvin Yalom, the Drs. Zeig invite participants into an intimate knowing of the Masters by sharing personal photos, antidotes and tender moments of connection and candor in this unique presentation.

Take a moment to stretch your legs in between conference sessions while connecting with your colleagues and building meaningful professional relationships in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

Across theories and modalities of psychotherapy, client outcomes vary widely with the therapists providing services. This is true even when efforts are made to standardize treatment with a therapist manual and close supervision. Based on a review of 70 years of psychotherapy research, Dr. Miller will describe eight characteristics that distinguish more from less effective psychotherapists, all of which are measurable clinical skills. He will discuss the overlap of these skills with motivational interviewing, and consider implications for clinical training.

Refuel, recharge, and reflect on what you’ve heard so far. Join your colleagues for lunch to discuss key takeaways, share insights, and continue the Evolution conversation beyond the conference sessions. Lunch is on your own.

Our clients across the lifespan continue to struggle emotionally and relationally, despite their apparent awareness and access to all things mental health. Why the mismatch? How is a population that “knows” so much still doing so poorly? Social media and COVID are contributors to be sure. But mental health providers are also falling into some common traps, offering well-intentioned interventions that might contribute to people -from childhood through adulthood- feeling more fragile and stuck than ever. In this session, Lynn Lyons will describe some of the most common clinical practices that backfire, and describe the counterintuitive approaches that build capacity, flexibility, and connection.

Take a moment to stretch your legs in between conference sessions while connecting with your colleagues and building meaningful professional relationships in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges seen in psychotherapy private practice, with nearly one in three American adults experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. The effects of anxiety are wide-ranging, including negative impacts on work, relationships, sleep, and physical health, making anxiety an important clinical target. In this session, two experts will be given the same case focusing on anxiety and other common challenges. Each expert will demonstrate how they would approach the case with a focus on their psychotherapeutic model, case conceptualization, and practical clinical strategies for meeting the demonstrated challenges.

Join Dr. Miller for an informal, interactive discussion exploring key themes, emerging ideas, and clinical applications from his work. This conversation hour offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with presenters, ask questions, and deepen understanding of the concepts shaping contemporary psychotherapy practice.

Day 2 explores themes especially relevant in today’s world. In particular, changes in technology have permeated every aspect of life, from the proliferation of AI tools to new concerns about social media use. The impact of technology on mental health shows up in the therapy room in numerous direct and indirect ways. Expert faculty will explore how therapists can meet these new challenges while staying informed about the most up-to-date developments in the field.

Begin the day feeling grounded, energized, and focused with a guided wellness activity!

In this session, Dr. Gilligan will overview his seminal work on generative psychology, with special emphasis on the most recent work of Creative Mind. This work sees human realities as created from an interaction between two brain/mind intelligences: (1) the more ancient and collective consciousness of the (right brain) nonverbal/nature consciousness, and (2) the more recent human virtual/verbal intelligence of the left brain. We will see how conflicts between the two result in intransient symptoms, and how therapeutic work to shift them into a more cooperative “generative” reality in which “problems” move to “resources”. This talk will give both a theoretical frame and a practical description of how to use it for superior therapeutic effect.

Take a moment to stretch your legs in between conference sessions while connecting with your colleagues and building meaningful professional relationships in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

With emerging technological advancements, current fields of study overlap significantly, but fall short independently at providing a comprehensive picture of technology's positive and negative influences on humans, society, and neuropsychological development. This presentation explores the need and effectiveness for the field of cyberneuropsychology by sharing examples of the structural and functional effects of technology on our brains. Pulling from both cyberpsychology and neuropsychology, cyberneuropsychology provides a comprehensive view of how technology impacts society; including socialization, economics, privacy, government and corporate (legal) involvement, the gaming industry, media channels, and mental and physical health.

Refuel, recharge, and reflect on what you’ve heard so far. Join your colleagues for lunch to discuss key takeaways, share insights, and continue the Evolution conversation beyond the conference sessions. Lunch is on your own.

Our clients are increasingly feeling stuck and overwhelmed, by fast-breaking news cycles, by chaotic current events, and by a world in which they feel less and less control over the circumstances around them. In short, hope is often in short supply. How can therapists help build this vital quality? In this session, Connie will demonstrate how a solutions-focused approach is well positioned to build hope and help clients to regain control of their lives. Drawing from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Connie will explore the importance of shifting attention from current problems and toward possibilities for the future. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for building hope from day one and transforming that hope into lasting meaningful change.

Take a moment to stretch your legs in between conference sessions while connecting with your colleagues and building meaningful professional relationships in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

We are more connected than ever, yet many of us have never felt more alone. Therapists are witnessing the effects every day: increasing loneliness, polarization, disconnection, and the erosion of meaningful relationships. While technology has transformed the way we communicate, it has not necessarily strengthened our capacity to truly relate. In this inspiring and thought-provoking session, Desirae Ysasi explores how the principles of Relational Life Therapy (RLT) offer a roadmap back to authentic connection. Moving beyond symptom reduction and conflict management, RLT teaches the relational skills that help people shift from self-protection to mutuality, accountability, and genuine intimacy. Although developed as a model for couples therapy, RLT's principles extend far beyond the therapy room. This presentation invites clinicians to consider how relational intelligence can strengthen families, workplaces, communities, and our broader culture. Participants will leave with a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of relationships and a vision for how therapists can help cultivate connection in an increasingly disconnected world. The presentation will conclude with a fireside conversation exploring the future of relational healing and why relationality may be one of the most essential skills of our time.

Love it or fear it, AI is here to stay. In 2025, more than half of psychotherapists reported using an AI tool to help with their work, up substantially from 2024. In 2026, as newer and more sophisticated AI tools hit the market, that number is sure to increase significantly. This panel will cover some of the current uses of AI in therapeutic practice, from administrative applications like intakes and billing to clinical uses in treatment plans and documentation. Experts in mental health leadership and policy will explore the practical, ethical, and legal concerns that surround AI use. Attendees will leave the panel with a better understanding of the AI-tool landscape and better informed to decide how, if at all, they wish to incorporate AI tools into their own practice.

On day 3, move beyond traditional therapeutic models to explore some of the newest innovations in biology and neuroscience. How do these factors interact with the therapeutic context? Experts in the fields of functional psychiatry, psychedelics, and addressing GLP-1 use in therapy will share how a better understanding of biological and neuroscience correlates support therapists in developing a whole-person approach in their practice.

Begin the day feeling grounded, energized, and focused with a guided wellness activity!

As clinicians, we share a common goal: helping patients move beyond temporary symptom relief and toward true, lasting recovery. Yet too often, traditional approaches fall short—leaving patients frustrated, discouraged, and searching for more personalized solutions. This session will examine the core principles of Functional, Nutritional, and Metabolic Psychiatry—an evidence-based model that is rapidly transforming the future of mental healthcare. In this session, Dr. Greenblatt will explore the fundamentals, science, and practical application of functional psychiatry, drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience and research. This session will also delve deeper into borderline personality disorder as an example of how integrative and functional medicine can offer unique augmentation strategies to conventional psychotherapy practices.

Take a moment to stretch your legs in between conference sessions while connecting with your colleagues and building meaningful professional relationships in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

A growing body of research has demonstrated the potential of psychedelic therapies to treat a range of challenging mental health conditions, including PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and substance use and addiction. As the federal government eases restrictions on psychedelic research, these treatments are likely to become more available and popular in coming years. However, many psychotherapists have received relatively little education on these treatment options. This session will provide a broad overview of the current state of psychedelic research, with an emphasis on what psychotherapists need to know. The session will cover situations in which psychedelic treatments may be appropriate tools and how traditional psychotherapists can partner with psychedelic therapists to support overall healing and sustainable change.

Refuel, recharge, and reflect on what you’ve heard so far. Join your colleagues for lunch to discuss key takeaways, share insights, and continue the Evolution conversation beyond the conference sessions. Lunch is on your own.

The explosion in popularity of GLP-1 agonists as a primary agent for weight loss has transformed the field of obesity medicine. Whether professionally in support of or against the use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, GLP-1s are undoubtedly here to stay. As a result, psychotherapists are finding themselves engaged in ardent discussion with clients of all body sizes and disordered eating status regarding the prudence of supporting a client’s use of GLP-1 medication. In this timely presentation, eating disorder and complex trauma specialist, Dr. Anné Zeig, offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to working with individuals considering GLP-1 medication. Participants will be presented with an innovative and integrative perspective regarding the role that unresolved complex trauma plays in the creation and maintenance of disordered eating. Additionally, participants will learn how the aftereffects of unresolved complex trauma obstruct the efficacy of current forms of first line eating disorder treatment, as well as negatively impact long-term weight loss maintenance as associated with GLP-1 treatment. Utilizing both didactic education and case presentation, Dr. Anné Zeig will offer an informed and integrated framework to help guide clinicians in their assessment, conceptualization and treatment planning with clients considering or utilizing weight-related GLP-1 medication as part of their medical and psychological treatment.

Evolution of Psychotherapy founder Jeff Zeig, PhD, concludes the conference with key takeaways from the 2026 conference.