Call for Speakers: Disability-Affirmative Psychotherapy in Practice (Meaningful Conversations Lecture Series)

Metanoia Institute invites proposals for our fourth event in the Meaningful Conversations Lecture Series: “Disability-Affirmative Psychotherapy in Practice.” Our speakers will explore how counsellors and psychotherapists can work affirmatively with clients who have physical disabilities, focusing on accessibility, embodiment, bias, and systemic change. The event will take place on Friday, 2 May, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Ealing. Submit your proposal here.

 

 

Call for Speakers and Key Topics

We seek contributions from:

• Psychotherapists, counsellors, and psychologists with expertise in disability-affirmative therapy
• Researchers focusing on psychotherapy and disability
• Healthcare professionals working at the intersection of disability and mental health

We are particularly keen to receive contributions from practitioners with lived experience. We welcome submissions addressing the following key topics:

• Disability-Affirmative Therapy – What does it mean to provide disability-affirmative psychotherapy?
• Bias and Ableism in the Therapy Room – How can ableism be recognised, challenge, and unlearned in psychotherapeutic spaces?
• Embodiment, Pain, and Chronic Illness – How can we address chronic pain, medical trauma, and the relationship with the body in therapy?
• Accessibility in Therapy – How can we build inclusive, adaptable, and accessible therapeutic spaces?
• Access and Inclusion in the Profession – What are the barriers faced by disabled psychotherapists within training institutions and governing bodies, and how can access to the profession be increased?
• Intersectionality and Identity – How do race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status shape disability experiences?
• Trauma-Informed Practice – How can practitioners support disabled clients in navigating disability-related trauma and autonomy?
• Advocacy and Systemic Change – What is the role of the psychological professions in contributing to disability justice?

Selected speakers will have the opportunity to present for 10-15 minutes, followed by a discussion on the subject with the panel and audience. Selected speakers will receive an honorarium of £150 and coverage of travel expenses. We encourage applications from speakers with lived experience. Flexibility with timings and additional accessibility needs can be discussed as required.

• Deadline for submissions: 28 March 2025.
• 📥Submit your proposal here >>

 

Contact and Accessibility Information

For any questions, please contact communications@metanoia.ac.uk. Step-free access and accessible toilets with RADAR locks are available at both buildings. Doors at the hotel are at least 32 inches wide (812 mm) and 31 inches (787) at Metanoia. Service animals welcome.

Join us in fostering a more inclusive, affirming therapeutic space for disabled clients and therapists. We look forward to your submissions.

 

About the 40th Anniversary Lecture Series: Meaningful Conversations

Metanoia Institute's “40th Anniversary Lecture Series: Meaningful Conversations” invites thought leaders and change-makers to engage in pivotal dialogues at the intersection of psychotherapy, counselling, and society's pressing issues. Celebrating four decades of progress, this series embodies our founding vision of intertwining social justice with therapeutic practice. It offers a platform for crucial conversations on equality, diversity, and inclusion—areas demanding reflection and action within our profession. Our profession’s focus on the individual often overlooks the broader cultural influences impacting lives, sometimes perpetuating prejudice and injustice. This series addresses these themes, fostering respectful and nuanced discussions to advance therapeutic practice, training, and social justice. Join us as we explore these critical topics through panel discussions, each featuring diverse perspectives committed to in-depth reflection and respectful dialogue.