Guidelines for Submission

For all presentations except panel discussions, a maximum of two presenters is permitted.  If the primary presenter is not an ISST Teaching Member, you will be asked to identify an ISST Teaching Member Sponsor. 

The TM Sponsor agrees to:

1. Review the workshop with the presenter/s in advance, and
2. Be present (in-person) for the workshop. 

For panel presentations, please identify the moderator and up to three panelists (preferably representing more than one Member Society).All presenters are expected to register for and attend the Congress.
All presenters will be responsible for bringing their presentations on a USB flash drive.  The computer, projector, screen, and microphones will be available as indicated. Handouts (electronic version, without case material) are due by August 1, 2027.
Presenters understand that no honorariums or expense reimbursements will be paid to presenters or panelists.  If desired, presenters are responsible for bringing hard copies of their handouts, supplies for experiential activities, or covering other extraordinary costs associated with their presentation.

• Seminar: Clinical/Theoretical topic with sandplay images (45 minute presentation time /15 minute discussion)
• Case Study: Clinical/Theoretical topic with case study (45 minute presentation time/15 minute discussion)
• Experiential Workshop: (90 minutes)
• Symposia/ Debate/Panel: Several brief presentations of a specific issue or question. One coordinator/moderator and two or three presenters (preferable from different Societies): (60 minutes presentation time/30 minute discussion)
• Research Paper: (20 minutes). Research papers will be presented in “Research Roundtable” seminars with several research projects with time for discussion.  Concept papers, selected topics in sandplay research, and completed research projects are welcome.
• Research Poster (maximum size- 48" x 36"; 120 cm X 91 cm)

Presentations and submissions are in English. You will be asked to provide a title, abstract, workshop description, learning objectives, and references.

• Title- (Maximum 100 characters, about12 words.) Use direct and clear language that invites sandplay therapists into your workshop.  An acceptable title relates to the session description and specific approaches or clinical topics. 
• Abstract- (Maximum 800 characters, about 125 words.) The brief abstract will appear in the brochure to invite our audience into your presentation.  Concisely provide the purpose of your presentation. Write to the conference theme and identify key concepts as these relate to sandplay therapy research or practice.
• Presentation Summary- (300-500 words)  This summary will be reviewed by the selection committee.  Please describe the purpose and relevance of your presentation, its connection to our theme, an overview of the content and key concepts, and what the audience can expect to experience (lecture, case material, images, discussion, experiential components–if applicable, etc.) 
• Bibliography- (Maximum of seven citations.)  In APA format, list the primary references that support your topic and will be cited during your presentation.  Include at least three references from a peer reviewed source within the past 10 years.
• Learning objectives-  List 2-3 learning objectives that describe what you hope participants will be able to apply to their work by attending your presentation.  Objectives should be one sentence each and start with an active verb such as describe, define, identify, explain, apply, distinguish, etc.  (Do not use words such as understand or learn.)

Although recording is not required, we encourage presenters to grant permission for their presentations to be recorded and made available to both remote and in-person registrants through a secure platform for a limited time. This will allow those unable to attend to benefit from the learning opportunity.

Presenters using case material are expected to protect client confidentiality by using pseudonyms and disguising identifying information. They need also to obtain appropriate client permission to present the material at this international conference.

Submissions are accepted electronically through the ISST Bali Website beginning 1 August 2026

Submit Here