Society of the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) 42nd Annual Conference
12:00 am
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Malibu, California
June 11-13, 2026
Conference Theme: Connection Within, Between and Beyond
The Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) invites you to attend its 42nd Annual Conference to be held at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California from Thursday, June 11 to Saturday, June 13, 2026. Pre-conference workshops will be held the morning of June 11. We are excited to work in partnership with beautiful Pepperdine University on the Pacific coast in Malibu. (This conference is not sponsored by Pepperdine University)
Please note – everyone presenting at the conference is required to register. Full registration information is posted below.
Connection Within, Between and Beyond
Our proximity to pain and suffering, however skillfully held, can draw us into its depths. In order to take care of ourselves, it is imperative that we draw from the restorative and regenerative benefits of connection, one of the most potent forces in health and healing. This conference is not only for the people we serve, but for ourselves too. The theme for the SEPI 2026 conference, Connection Within, Between and Beyond recognizes the significant role that connection plays in the process of psychotherapy and other therapeutic modalities.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Nancy McWilliams, PhD
Integrating What Patients Can Teach Us
The Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration originated in efforts to get professionals of different theoretical orientations to share ideas about both principles and techniques of psychotherapy. Since its early years, SEPI has expanded its focus into integrations between clinical practice and academic research. Consistent with the even more expansive aims of this conference on “Connection: Within, Between, and Beyond,” this talk will focus on integrating patient perspectives, especially in areas pertinent to the experience of trauma, moral injury, and inadequate social responsiveness to widespread suffering after the devastation by fire of the region where SEPI will meet in 2026. Dr. McWilliams will emphasize the value of respecting the subjective reports of clients about conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, self-harm, personality pathology, and psychosis.
Shane Adams, PhD
Operator Syndrome: An integrative and precision-based approach to complex injuries and systemic sequelae
Recent conceptualizations have positioned mental health sequelae as a part of a broader systemic illness, and one that requires a systemic approach to treatment. Person-centered assessments and interventions that integrate and target behavioral, biological, and physiological components of mental health are well-poised to increase treatment efficacy, engagement, and satisfaction for more people. This address will present a framework of this integrative precision-based approach, called operator syndrome, in active-duty special operations forces and demonstrate applications of this framework and implications for future directions.
Panel Presentation: Depth Psychological Approaches to Moral Injury in Veterans and First Responders
Conducted by Pacifica Graduate Institute
This multi-panel discussion, conducted by Pacifica Graduate Institute, brings together depth psychological perspectives on moral injury in veterans and first responders, expanding prevailing frameworks beyond trauma and other-harm to include often-unrecognized psychological self-injuries.
PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Sea Soma: An exploration of the mind, body, community and nature into psychotherapy (experiential group learning)
Presented by Natalie Small
During this embodied experiential 3-hour workshop you will be guided through both individual and group experiences that integrate mind, body and nature, specifically the ocean and beach spaces, for increasing emotional regulation, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Shifting from a processing group experience to a presencing group experience, Natalie will guide you through trauma informed eco and soma practices that tap into the transformative power of joy, play, and community.
This workshop will take place at the beach. You will want comfortable clothes to support the weather of the day, ability to take your shoes off, and if so desired to enter the water up to your knees or waist. There is no previous surf or ocean experience required. Surfing will not be part of this curated session.
When the Bough Breaks: Ecological Response to Disaster, Moral Injury, and Trauma
Presented by Matthew Schumacher, PhD
From lessons learned over 25 years in leading disaster responses, Dr. Schumacher will teach participants to therapeutically engage impacted cohorts by, with, and thru their process of surviving and healing from trauma and the unthinkable. This 3-hour interactive workshop will present an ecological model designed (1) to CONNECT with traumatized cohorts, (2) to join with and guide healing together in BETWEEN the rebuilding of lives and community, and (3) to persist and grow resilient BEYOND catastrophe. Participants will collaborate in planning and designing interventions to effectively engage and address these “breakages” in relationships of trust, where sources of trauma are environmental—disasters, disappointments, and even betrayal. Embedded as guides and participants rather than experts, this model emphasizes enhancement of intrinsic resilience, forging and strengthening native connections, and prioritizing local culture and agency. It is argued that healing occurs within reparative relationships among community, friends, family, and therapist(s), beyond modality or technique.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION RATES
Members – $300, Non-Members – $360
Student Members – $115, Student Non-Members – $150
Rates will increase on April 21st!
PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS – $85
The two pre-conference workshops are held Thursday, June 11th from 9am-12noon, concurrently.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS – $50
Many, but not all, of the sessions at the 2026 SEPI Conference will be offered for continuing education credit. Up to 15 credits may be issued, depending upon which sessions are attended. Some CE sessions are held simultaneously.
Continuing education for psychologists will be offered through the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29 of the American Psychological Association/APA). The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy is approved by the APA to offer continuing education for psychologists, but the Society maintains responsibility for the program. CE Credit is granted to participants with documented attendance at individual workshops. Attendance is monitored. Credit will not be granted to registrants who are more than 15 minutes late, are absent for more than 15 minutes during a session, or those who depart more than 15 minutes early from a session. Registrants are asked to submit a completed evaluation form at the end of each session. It is the responsibility of registrants to comply with these requirements. It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine whether these CE credits are valid in his/her state of licensure.
SATURDAY NIGHT GALA – $125
Join us Saturday evening at the beautiful Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, in Santa Monica, 7:00 pm. The event includes a beer-and-wine cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner with music.
ON-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATIONS
SEPI is pleased to announce that dormitories and apartment accommodations are available on the Pepperdine campus. Rooming is available from Wednesday night through Saturday night (check out on Sunday)
On-campus apartments are either two-bedrooms with 2 beds in each bedroom or four-bedroom apartments with 1 bed in each bedroom. Therefore, each apartment can accommodate up to 4 people. The apartments include a full kitchen, full bathroom, and linens.
The dormitories are four sleeping rooms together, double occupancy, sharing a common area and a double bathroom set-up. The sleeping rooms have a mini-fridge, desks, and include linens. This would be excellent, low-cost accommodation for students and/or groups traveling together.
TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT – MAXIMUM 4 PERSONS
– $85 per night, per person
FOUR BEDROOM APARTMENT – MAXIMUM 4 PERSONS
– $85 per night, per person
DORMITORY ROOMS – 2 PERSONS TO A ROOM MAXIMUM
– $50 per night, per person
We hope to see you in Malibu in June 2026
Kristin Osborn
SEPI 2026 President and Program Chair
SEPI Program Committee
Kristin Osborn
Jeffery Smith
Jeffrey Magnavita
Joshua Pretsky
Joseph Cooper
Patricia Spangler
Jeff Harris
Nuno Conceicao