Honouring our ancestors and envisioning our future
Reflecting on 50 years of systemic practice, research and innovation in the UK family therapy community
13 Hours
CPD
More Info
Join us in Brighton for the AFT Annual Conference 2025
The overall theme for the conference is ‘Honouring our ancestors and envisioning our future’ and we will focus on the past, present and future of our incredible family therapy community in the UK, marking 50 years of AFT’s existence as an organisation.
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Our annual conference will be an opportunity to come together and celebrate, but more importantly to reflect on the journey that we have made as a community over these five decades, the legacy we are creating, and what it can teach us as we move forward together.
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What can we learn from our grandparents and ancestors that will help us to support the families of the future? What have been the major milestones in our profession, and what does our future
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evolution look like? With a growing awareness of and prioritygiven to psychological professions within the NHS, how can family therapists make the most of these opportunities whilst reflecting our independent values? How are we supporting our future practitioners and leaders and how can we ensure that training and career pathways are fit for the future?
Our 2024 conference in Bristol was the largest gathering of family therapists this country has ever seen, with 650 people attending in person and online, and we hope that this year's will be even bigger and better. We will have inspirational keynote speakers to set this milestone in context and articulate some of the big ideas in current systemic thinking.
Conference Spotlight
This year's 50th anniversary conference will feature a two-day programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops with a diverse range of inspirational speakers from the UK and across the globe. These will include sessions focusing on research and practice from both well-known and up-and-coming experts in our profession, as well as interactive sessions where you can get moving and co-create with your peers. You can view last year’s programme here, which demonstrates the range and qualify of the speakers we attract at AFT conferences.
More speakers will be confirmed in the weeks ahead so check back regularly and follow our social media channels for updates!
Check out a few of the highlights below...
Quick Facts
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Date: Thursday 25 & Friday 26 September
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Venue: Doubletree Brighton Metropole
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Format: A hybrid conference combining a full face-to-face programme with selected online sessions.
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Replays: All keynote presentations and selected workshops will be recorded and made available to ticket holders as a replay.
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Programme: Click here.
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Ticket Prices: Click here.
Keynote
Prof Adrian Blow
We are very pleased to announce that Professor Adrian Blow has been confirmed as one of our keynote speakers. Adrian works as a couple and family therapy intervention researcher and educator at Michigan State University (MSU). Adrian has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and three books and in 2017 was awarded the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Training Award, which recognises excellence in family therapy education. He currently serves as President of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (2025-2026).
Shopping
Visit the Bookstall
The bookshop, provided by Bookmark, is open again this year, stocking a range of relevant books, including suggestions from our speakers.
Funding
AFT Bursary Scheme
The AFT Bursary Scheme aims to support AFT members to attend conferences or training where the cost would otherwise be prohibitive, and to support programmes aimed at groups currently under-represented in our activities and the profession. Apply by 30 June 2025 to be considered for a free place.
Keynote
Umberta Telfener
Professor Umberta Telfener, has confirmed that she will be presenting a keynote at the conference. Umberta is a psychologist, epistemologist, systemic thinker, activist, teacher of the Milan School of Boscolo and Cecchin, President of EFTA, the European Family Therapy Association.
Exhibition
Art Exhibition
The conference will feature an exhibition space withing the lunch area, featuring various forms of creative expression from AFT Members. Click here to register your interest in the AFT Systemic Arts Community of Practice.