PCE2006
7th World Conference for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling

July 12–16, 2006
Potsdam, Germany

1st Announcement and Call for Papers

Conference theme:
Leading a Good Life: A PCE perspective of health

Introduction
Since Carl R. Rogers in 1961, much has been written about the “good life”, the “fully functioning” person, health and dysfunction. Today the theme continues to inspire many questions: What evolutions have taken place in the understanding of psychological health in person-centered and experiential psychotherapy and counseling? What is specific to the PCE view that is not present in the views of other orientations? What about the social, intercultural, political, metapsychological and spiritual aspects of our theory? Can a common thread still be found in the PCE literature on these topics? How can we help clients and patients to become and be more fully functioning, using their resources and social potentials, regaining strength and autonomy? How can we ourselves as therapists take care of our health? 
In PCE 2006, the 7th World Conference for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling, we want to reflect and discuss these questions.

Invitation
On behalf of the World Association and the Scientific and Local Organising Committees of the congress we would like to invite colleagues from all over the world including person- centered practitioners, trainers and researchers, as well as students and others who take an active interest in the contribution of PCE psychotherapy and counseling to the understanding and fostering of health, both on an individual and societal level. 
Keynote presentations will address the conference theme from a variety of theoretical, cultural and professional perspectives. They will include a more general reflection on the evolution of PCE concepts of health with emphasis on new challenges, an elaboration of the close relationship between the characteristics of modern systems science (esp. self-organisation) and PCE-therapy (esp. actualizing tendency) and a presentation of intercultural social and political aspects of PCE therapy and counseling.
Additionally an array of contributions will take place in parallel sessions. Presentations are invited which highlight a person-centered and experiential view on a variety of topics: health and leading a good life, new developments in person-centered and experiential psychotherapy and counseling, empirical research, theory development and the application of the approach in various fields of practice and institutional settings. Any form of presentation is invited: lecture, workshop, panel, poster, multi-media, etc. Topics are welcome including:
1. The “Fully Functioning” Person, Congruence, Health.
2. Actualizing Tendency in Modern Interdisciplinary Systems Theory.
3. Philosophy, Religion and Spirituality.
4. Children, Adolescents, Parents and Families.
5. The Adults.
6. The Older Ones.
7. Social, Intercultural and Political Aspects (Minority Groups included).
8. Clinical Practice, Including Design and Management of Clinical Settings.
9. Specific Challenges in Regard to Clients with Specific Dysfunctions.
10. The Therapist‘s Self-Care and Own Psychological Health.
11. Operationalisations and Measures: Outcome, Process, Health.
12. Other Topics Relevant to a Person-Centered and Experiential View on Life.
General discussion sessions of keynotes and with keynote speakers will be organised.
Round table discussions may be arranged on request with persons who represent different standpoints concerning the theme and its practical implications.
Space for reflection groups of colleagues meeting openly from all over the world will be provided. There will also be space for open sessions for spontaneous contributions by conference participants. The scientific committee will confirm acceptance of conference papers etc. in writing. 
We are looking forward to see you in Potsdam.

September 2004
Gert-W. Speierer (Chair) and Members of SC & LOC

Program Outline 
Preceding the conference a two-day encounter group will be organised on Tuesday and Wednesday. Further information will be sent out together with our 2nd announcement, including registration forms, in May 2005.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006
14.00–17.00 Registration
17.00–17.30 Opening of the conference
17.30–18.00 Invited speaker
18.00–20.00 Welcome reception

Thursday, July 13 through Saturday, July 15
09.00–10.30 Symposia, paper sessions, workshops, round table discussion groups
10.30–11.00 Coffee break
11.00–12.00 Keynotes
12.00–13.30 Luncheon break
13.30–15.00 Symposia, paper sessions, workshops, round table discussion groups
15.00–15.30 Tea / coffee break
15.30–17.00 paper sessions, reflection groups, workshops, round table discussion groups, poster sessions

Sunday, July 16
09.30–11.00 Symposia, paper sessions, workshops, reflection groups
11.00–11.30 Coffee break
11.30–12.30 Closing panel

Thursday, July 13
At 17.30–19.30 the General Assembly of the World Association of Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling (WAPCEPC) is scheduled. Afterwards, a dinner party for all will be arranged.

Social events (optional; also accessible for accompanying persons) will include: Historical Potsdam, Visit of the “Reichstag” in Berlin, Concert, River-Cruise to Berlin with dinner-dance.

Language
The official conference language is English. Contributors who would like to present in another language, please contact the conference chair.

Organisation
Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Gesprächspsychotherapie (GwG) on behalf of the World Association of Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling (WAPCEPC)

Conference Venue 
PCE 2006 will be held at the “Kongresszentrum am Templiner See” of the Sparkassenakademie, Potsdam. This congress-centre is situated directly at the banks of Lake Templin, where Graf Zeppelin had one of his best ideas at the Airship Harbour in Potsdam. You can relax quietly in the charming forest and lake landscape of the Pirschheide without being out of touch. It is only ten minutes to the centre of the Brandenburg capital of Potsdam; and it only takes roughly half an hour to reach the heart of Berlin (public transportation).
All hotel rooms are equipped with radio, tv, telephone and ISDN connection. For sport and recreation the hotel offers a gymnasium, a fitness room, and sauna. Furthermore, there are facilities to play squash, bowling, table tennis, and billiards.

Committees
Prof. Dr. Gert-Walter Speierer (Chair)

Scientific Committee (SC):
Prof. Dr. Michael Behr (GwG)
Prof. Dr. Inge Frohburg (GwG)
Prof. Dr. Germain Lietaer (WAPCEPC)
Prof. Dr. Gert-W. Speierer (GwG/ÄGG)
Prof. Ursula Straumann (GwG)
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Teusch (ÄGG/GwG)
Prof. Dr. Dr. Günter Zurhorst (GwG)

Local Organizing Committee (LOC):
Dipl.-Psych. Ulrich Esser (GwG)
Prof. Dr. Klaus Heinerth (DPGG/GwG)
Prof. Dr. Eleonore Ploil (GwG)
Dipl.-Psych. Sylvia Rasch-Owald (GwG-Board)
Prof. Dr. Paulus G. Wacker (WAPCEPC/GwG till the end of 2004)

Conference secretariat:
Bundesgeschäftsstelle der GwG, Head office c/o Edith Brandt

Further Information
For an early overview of papers and other active contributions as well as related suggestions please mail title, abstract (up to 120 words) and form of your presentation until the end of April 2005 to conference chair, Prof. Dr. G.-W. Speierer, Medizinische Psychologie, Universität Regensburg, Postfach, 93040 Regensburg, Germany, Email: gert.speierer@biologie.uni-regensburg.de.
With the second announcement you will get registration- and standardized abstract forms.
For other inquiries concerning participation, et cetera, please contact the PCE 2006 conference secretariat. Bundesgeschäftsstelle der GwG, Melatengürtel 125a, 50825 Köln, Germany, Email: brandt@gwg-ev.org.

The 2nd announcement, including a second call for papers, registration-, and abstract-forms, will be sent out in June 2005.

Download this invitation as a PDF document:
A4 Flyer (double-sided, 82 KB)  A4 Letter (two pages, 108 KB)