Health for All: The 11th WCCBT Congress
SAN FRANCISCO | MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOTEL
JUNE 25-28, 2026
Join global leaders in cognitive and behavioural therapies for this landmark event that will feature cutting-edge research, inclusive practices, and innovative interventions aimed at advancing global mental health. With an exceptional lineup of speakers and diverse tracks spanning AI, trauma, equity, and lifespan psychology, the Congress offers a powerful opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of CBT worldwide.
The President’s Report
Global Connection. Local Impact. Better Mental Health.
Lata K. McGinn, PhD
President, WCCBT
2023–2026
As I complete my term as President of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, I do so with deep gratitude, pride, and optimism. Over three years, working alongside our Board, member associations, committees, and partners around the world, WCCBT strengthened its role as a global convener and advocate for evidence-based psychological care.
That work took place against a backdrop of humanitarian crises, displacement, climate-related disasters, economic strain, and widening inequities, all of which made accessible, culturally responsive care more urgent. What follows is a record of what we built together, and of the work still ahead.
Health for All: The Opening Keynote
Delivered at the 11th World Congress of CBT in San Francisco, the opening keynote sets out the achievements of the 2023–2026 term and the vision for what comes next.
Major Accomplishments
Six priorities shaped the work of this presidential term.
01
Expanding CBT Capacity in Africa
WCCBT sponsored the KOLABO Project, supported the founding of national CBT organizations in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, and convened the WCCBT-WHO-CBTAA Development Round Table. The CBT Association of Africa is now forming, with an interim Board drawn from five countries.
02
Collaboration with the WHO
An Agreement for Performance of Work signed in 2023 opened the door to joint webinars on EQUIP and scalable psychological interventions, expert input on WHO materials, and regular engagement with WHO mental health leadership. A Memorandum of Understanding is the next step.
03
Government and Policy Engagement
After the Seoul Congress, the Seoul Metropolitan Government began funding CBT-based services under the K-PSY framework, establishing a Psychological Support Center and a national counseling voucher program. WCCBT also promoted UK Talking Therapies as a model and advocated on scope of practice in India and South Korea.
04
Member Organization Partnerships
WCCBT engaged member organizations across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Australasia. ALAPCCO joined as a member co-representing South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean alongside ALAMOC, and by-law changes gave AnzaCBT and CACBT direct representation.
05
A Stronger Global Presence
A new website, expanded social media, eNews, and public-facing advocacy resources gave WCCBT a stronger platform. World CBT Day grew as an annual advocacy moment, and the inaugural Global Impact Award was presented to Professor David M. Clark.
06
Training and Competency
WCCBT translated and disseminated the Global CBT Training Guidelines, completed the Low-Intensity CBT Training Guidelines, and advanced Child and Adolescent CBT Training Guidelines, aligning its priorities with WHO’s EQUIP and related competency tools.
Selected Milestones
2023
- Leadership transition following the Seoul Congress
- Agreement for Performance of Work signed with WHO
- Africa named a core strategic priority; KOLABO Project launched
2024
- Inaugural CBT Association of South Africa Congress, Cape Town
- First Pan-African CBT leaders’ meeting; Nigerian Association of CBT emerges
- WCCBT-WHO webinar on scalable psychological interventions
2025
- World CBT Day: “CBT: A Solid Return on Investment”
- First WCCBT-WHO-CBTAA Development Round Table
- New website launched; Zimbabwe Association of CBT formed
2026
- World CBT Day: “CBT in Action: Mental Health Support in Humanitarian Crises”
- 11th World Congress of CBT, San Francisco; inaugural Global Impact Award
- Leadership transition to Dr. Ross Menzies
The Future of Global CBT
Mental health is more visible than ever before, but visibility is not the same as access, and awareness is not the same as treatment. The question for the next chapter is whether we can organize ourselves so that what works reaches people with competence, dignity, equity, and cultural humility.
Youth Mental Health
Prevention and early intervention deserve to become a far higher global priority, delivered well before suffering becomes entrenched.
Humanitarian Crises
In conflict, displacement, and disaster, mental health support is not secondary to recovery. It is part of recovery.
Responsible Innovation
Digital and AI tools should strengthen competence, ethics, privacy, and human judgment rather than bypass them.
Priorities for the Next Chapter
- Support an Africa-led regional CBT association
- Deepen collaboration with WHO and global partners
- Strengthen government and health-system engagement
- Keep listening to and supporting member organizations
- Advance training, competency, supervision, and quality assurance
“The future of CBT is global, collaborative, equitable, culturally responsive, competent, and humane. Its future must be in service of health for all.”
Lata K. McGinn, PhD
A Shared Achievement
No president accomplishes anything alone. What this report records is the collective work of the WCCBT Board, committees, member associations, regional leaders, global partners, and the professionals and students who carried it forward across every region.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together and optimistic about what comes next under the leadership of Dr. Ross Menzies. It has been the privilege of my professional life to serve as President of WCCBT. Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and commitment to advancing mental health through cognitive and behavioural therapies.
Lata K. McGinn, PhD
President, WCCBT
2023–2026
Read the Full Report
The complete report gives a detailed account of WCCBT’s work, partnerships, milestones, and priorities from 2023 to 2026.