About

We are delighted to announce the World Congress of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural
Therapies (WCCBT), a celebration of the range and generation of cognitive and/or behavioral traditions. This
landmark event hosted and organized by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) will
bring together the global CBT community to highlight the richness of our shared history, the strength of our
scientific foundations, and the bold directions we are forging together.

This is a unique opportunity to share your work, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of CBT on a global stage.

Join us in San Francisco, California, between June 25-28, 2026, as we gather to honor the science, the practice, and the global community that defines and unites the family of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies today. Extend your stay before or after the conference to experience the magic of San Francisco and its breathtaking surroundings. Explore the iconic Pacific coastline with unforgettable destinations like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, and Big Sur. Wander among the ancient redwoods of Muir Woods, take in the charm of Sausalito Bay, and savor the world-class wines of Napa and Sonoma.

Health for All: Affirming, Equitable, and Sustainable CBT

We come together at a time when the world is facing profound challenges that test our collective resilience. The
past few years have been marked by global health crises, escalating climate emergencies, deepening political instability, and the persistent burden of health disparities. Alongside these struggles, long-standing systemic inequities and discrimination against historically marginalized and minoritized communities have been laid bare, urging us to reflect on our role as cognitive and behavioural therapists.

As a field, we must ask: How can we advance evidence-based treatments in ways that actively promote justice,
affirm diverse lived experiences, and break down barriers to care? How do we ensure that CBT remains not only
scientifically rigorous but also accessible, culturally meaningful, and sustainable for future generations of clinicians, researchers, and communities? How do we sustain our own well-being while addressing these urgent
global and professional challenges?

The 2026 WCCBT will highlight scientific innovations that advance CBT’s role in creating a healthier, more
equitable world in these ways:

• Expand access to and engagement in CBT, particularly among historically underserved and excluded
populations.
• Implement and sustain CBT interventions within routine healthcare.
• Address disparities in mental and physical health and integrate culturally meaningful, affirming, and justiceoriented approaches.
• Innovate and adapt CBT to respond to the pressing challenges of climate change, pandemics, and political
upheaval.
• Strengthen the sustainability of CBT through policy, education, and workforce development.
• Foster well-being within the CBT community itself, ensuring that practitioners and researchers can thrive
and sustain their work in a demanding and evolving field.