24/09/2025
We are back from the annual EBTA (European Brief therapy Association) conference in Roskilde, Denmark, which this year was on the topic of « in-betwenness ».
Amongst the various inspiring speakers and workshops, we were particularly touched by Emma Holten’s excellent keynote speech on the economy of care and the role of feminism in economy.
« Care is one of the only processes where time melts, and we don’t know what will happen. It is not mechanical, nor measurable or calculated in a country’s GNP »
Allan Wade, in his speech « between abstraction and interaction» made us reflect on the role of colonial language in shifting the actions of offenders to the mind, brain, body of the victim, by focusing on the victim’s trauma rather than on the responsibility of the offender.
We ran a workshop on the in-betweenness of identity and diversity, where we explored the notion of choice and the complexity of identities through a systemic, solution-focused lense.
These inputs set the ground for a very emotional discussion and reflection on our role as therapists : How do we deconstruct colonialist structures, also in our work with clients ? How can we work with human beings without being political ? What is our role in advocacy and speaking out about violence, and in particular genocide ? How can we, as an international association, and with a solution focused approach, become more representative and welcoming of diversity ?
The in-betweenness of the conference created space for warm exchanges, tears, informal meetings, dancing and much more to be continued and cultivated.
