Evolution 2026 begins with an exploration of the 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.

The Evolution of Psychotherapy conference opens with a dynamic conversation reflecting on how the field has transformed over the past four decades. Drawing on their unique vantage point at the center of the Evolution of Psychotherapy, Jeff Zeig, PhD, and Julie T. Anné Zeig, PhD, will explore the major shifts in theory, practice, and culture that have shaped how therapists help people change. From the rise of integrative approaches to the influence of leading innovators, this session sets the stage for the conference by examining where psychotherapy has been, what has driven its growth, and how these lessons inform the future of meaningful, effective psychotherapeutic work.

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.

Given the proliferation of technology in today’s society, challenges relating to internet and phone use are of increasing relevance to psychotherapists. This session will examine the impact of technology on the individual, including new challenges being raised by technology use and the ways in which technology is impacting existing psychological conditions. Cyberneuropsychology expert Dr. Weissman will present his research on technology and mental health, including themes like problematic internet use, cellphone addiction, and social media, and provide clinical strategies for working with these challenges in the therapeutic context.

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.

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.

In an increasingly digital world, social disconnection and isolation are some of the most prevalent and important challenges showing up in the therapy room. Research demonstrates that loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and yet nearly 70% of American adults report lacking in social connection. This session will explore the importance of genuine human relationships and how this lack impacts individuals in therapy. Drawing on the principles of Relational Life Therapy, Ysasi will present models of social connection and explore how to work with individuals and couples to strengthen human relationships.

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 2, Evolution looks 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.

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

In this session, Dr. Gilligan will present his theories of generative psychology and highlight how an emphasis on the creative mind enhances the therapeutic relationship to support sustainable transformation. He will share practical applications of his theories and demonstrate how to bring strategies from generative psychotherapy into daily clinical practice. Finally, Dr. Gilligan will discuss how to meet major psychological challenges within the context of the positively oriented creative path.

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.

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.

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.

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 in recent years. Whether professionally for or against the use of GLP-1 medications, GLP-1s are undoubtedly here to stay. As a result, psychotherapists are finding themselves engaged in ardent discussion with clients of all body sizes who are seeking psychological advice, approval, or simply informing their therapists that they have already begun GLP-1 treatment as prescribed by their physician or an online platform. In this timely and impactful presentation, Dr. Anné Zeig will offer a comprehensive and integrated approach to working with individuals using GLP-1s that incorporates research and her expertise in the interrelated areas of complex trauma, eating disorders, and emotion-driven issues of weight. Amongst the content discussed, Dr. Anné Zeig will emphasize the need for informed assessment, conceptualization and treatment of current and past eating disorder dynamics, chronic dieting behavior, unresolved complex trauma, and the development of a healthy relationship with food and weight based on a positive core relationship with body, emotions, Self, and Others. Additionally, Dr. Anné Zeig will illustrate how unresolved complex trauma obstructs the efficacy of current first line models of treatment as well as her hypothesis that it also negatively impacts the efficacy of long-term GLP-1 success.

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