tPCA’s 2025 conference

LJ writes

This year was (probably) my tenth anniversary of going to tPCA (formerly BACPA) conferences. I attended my first one after I came across a mention somewhere that there were bursaries available to students, and as a student without much money, I was always happy to see something that might offer me a way to attend something for free (or at least cheaper). I wrote the requisite piece about why I should be given a bursary and a few days later, was informed that I had ‘won’ the conference money, and would need to join tPCA in order to become eligible. I did so, and attended the conference.

I remember stepping into the conference, seeing the ‘big’ names in the room; looking around as people spoke and thinking “I’ve read your book!” over and over. It was a pretty big time for me as a student. I had a conversation with Gillian in the queue for dinner, and it was just like she was a normal person (who knew…!). I also spoke with others – Suzanne, Mick, Pete, Sheila – others too, whose names I’ve lost in a decade. On a person-centred course, I was of course, familiar with the ‘traditional’ PD, but this was a whole new level, with about 120 counsellors in the room. I’d never been part of anything like it before, and it was an education, believe me. It was a difficult time, and a lovely time, and I was hooked. I think that I haven’t missed a tPCA conference since then. I’ve even helped to host one. It was eye-opening and I have a genuine appreciation for conference organisers since then.

I’m writing this now on my bed at home, having not long got back from 2025’s conference, and honestly, I’m knackered. But I wanted to take the time to write down how I felt. I acknowledge and understand that not everyone will have had my conference experience, and at the same time, I wanted to speak about how it has been for me this year, which is, in short, “bloody brilliant”.

I presented this year, and really appreciated the decision by this year’s organisers to have an organiser in the room for each of the main presentations. In practical terms, it meant that Danny helped me drag my heavy box of crafting materials from the car (thank you!), and he made sure that my tech worked and helped me set up the room. It really took out some of the stress of presenting, and whilst I wasn’t particularly worried about the presenting itself, meant I didn’t have to be doing multiple things at once with no time to spare. The workshop seemed to go well, and despite initially feeling like I had nothing of use to say on the topic of compassion, I pulled together something that felt like it worked. Thank you to all my lovely participants, who were really the people who made it what it was.

At the conference, I met old faces and new, with one face that I met in that first conference, returning this year after a decade on hiatus – a welcome joy. I also missed some of the people that I've come to know and appreciate over the years. Other faces who I’ve come to know and appreciate were there, and conversations sprung up like there’d been no gap since the last time we met. I would guess that I knew almost half the people there, but that didn’t stop me from having multiple lovely conversations with people I’d never met before, and who I definitely hope to meet again at future conferences.

The question was posed: “what’s the difference between our conference and a festival?” And I have to say that as far as I’m concerned it’s mostly “better toilets”. The atmosphere was largely one of kindness, connection and friendship. There was singing, and dancing, and games, and workshops and communal gatherings. I learnt things about myself. I had emotional moments. I got to meet old friends and make new connections, commune with nature (mostly the wasps determined to hover around us) and sit in the sun. What’s not ‘festival’ about that?

There used to be a real feeling that BAPCA (as was) was made up of ‘(some secret cabal of) trustees’ and then ‘members’ and it seems to me that in recent years much of that has fallen away. As a former (and hopefully soon to again be) trustee, I’m proud to have been part of making that happen. Not because I believed that that ever was the case – when I first joined the trustees all those years ago, I found them to be a group of people trying to do their best for everyone (a fruitless task). Nonetheless, we made changes to the charity, to the structure, and I hope that now it feels to all members, that anyone who is interested, can apply to join the trustees, that all voices are welcomed and that new trustees are always desired.

I’m proud of the voice of tPCA – we are standing against a rising tide of discrimination and bias, and I accept that we’re not perfect (because we are, after all, a bunch of flawed humans doing our best). I can, however, see where TPCA is taking risks and standing up to voices of intolerance and hope that this continues to bring people to us who can see that the acceptance of people where they are, without trying to change our integral nature, truly is a radical approach, especially in today’s world.

This conference was probably my favourite of tPCA conferences to date, and I hope next year, not to be able to feel that this is the case, that 2026 is my new favourite (and so on). I really hope to see both this year’s faces and new faces at next year (and accept that due to size limitations on conference numbers, both things can’t really happen). It has been wonderful to be seen and heard, and great to see increasing amounts of diversity within our conference population. As the guest editor of the upcoming PCEP journal focusing on student research, it was also amazing to hear from so many current and recently-ex students. When I attended my first conference, I was one of about 3 students. This year I met so many people still in training and that’s incredible. I hope that everyone felt welcome, and continues to come back (and tell your friends…)

They say that the person-centred approach is past its prime, and I think that that is a massive misunderstanding of just how radical this approach truly can be. But the only people who will create a person-centred renaissance are us, those for whom this approach truly means something. I hope that tPCA will be at the forefront of that.

I’m aware I’m waxing lyrical here (I blame the lack of sleep), and will draw to a close but really wanted to just send my love and warmth especially to the organisers, and the trustees who helped make this happen, and to every person there, whether I spoke to you or not, for making it the event that it was.

Here’s to next year!

LJ