2025 Call for Proposals

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is accepting proposals for workshops related to the field of play therapy for the Annual APT International Conference, October 7-12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. This is your opportunity to share your expertise and tap your creativity by developing an original presentation for a national conference!

Topics of Interest

While proposals delineating ALL models of theory, practice, and research in play therapy are encouraged, specific areas of interest for 2025 are:

Presenter Guidelines

• Presenter and all co-presenters must have a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field.
• All proposals must be submitted using the online form, no exceptions. 
• Workshops are limited to a maximum of two (2) speakers.
• A maximum of four (4) proposals are accepted per presenter/co-presenter.
• Presenters must be able to attend the Annual APT International Conference in-person and be available to present any day/time during the conference.
  

Presenter Benefits

Speaking at the Annual APT International Conference is a challenging and rewarding opportunity. All proposals are selected through a competitive peer-review process. If your proposal is selected, you may take advantage of the following benefits:

• Visibility, recognition, and credibility within the play therapy community.
• Promotion in marketing materials.
• Participation in the growth of the profession.
• Discounted conference registration (all presenters).
• Cash honorarium, hotel accommodations, travel reimbursement (full day presenters only).

Important dates:

• Proposal submission deadline: January 20, 2025, 5 p.m. PST.
• Notifications of selection status: March 31, 2025.
• Speaker agreement due from selected speakers: within one week of notification.
• Delivery of Presentation: October 7-12, 2025 (we are not able to accommodate requests for specific presentation dates).
  

If you are unable to meet these deadlines or do not have support from your institution or employer to present, please reconsider your decision to submit a proposal.

View the Proposal Criteria to help you prepare and make the submission process seamless. We welcome your submission!

Ready to Submit a Proposal?

Our process is entirely online using the CATALYST platform. Follow the instructions below to create an account:

• Access the CATALYST website.
• Create an account in CATALYST by selecting “Create New Account” tab.
• Check your email for a confirmation of your new account.
• From this email message, click “Confirm Account” to finish creating your account.
• You will be redirected to the CATALYST log in page.
• Enter your user name and password and you will arrive at the “Instructions” page of the submission form.

If you have submitted a proposal to APT within the last three years, there is no need to create a new account UNLESS your email address has changed since then. You will have the ability to save your progress, share your proposal with a co-presenter, and make edits up until the deadline, January 20, 2025, 5 p.m. PST.

About the Review Process

The Conference Program Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating proposals. 

• Proposal submitter details are kept confidential from reviewers in an effort to eliminate bias from the proposal review.
• Reviewers will provide an overall recommendation and comments which, upon request, can be shared with the submitter after the program is selected.
• Reviews will be tabulated for use by the Program Committee Chair and Conference Coordinator who will select proposals deemed to provide a well-rounded and timely program with respect to topics and current needs assessment.
• Presenters' past inclusion and performance at APT annual conferences may also impact selection at this point of the review process.

For more information or if you have questions, contact Diane Leon, Conference Coordinator, dleon@a4pt.org, (559) 298-3400, x314.