Welcome to the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy Conference November 2024.

I hope you will find all the information you need concerning this wonderful event within this programme.

The two co-hosts for this conference will be myself and Simon Bayley.

Dr. Ruth Birkebaek will be the first Keynote Speaker on Friday, 9.45 to 10.30 am.  I have personally known Ruth for many years and not only is she a well respected and recognised Psychotherapist, she is also one of the pivotal trainers at the Manchester Institute.  Ruth is also recognised on the international stage in the world of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association.

Dr. Richard Erskine is the second Keynote Speaker and he will be delivering his keynote speech on Saturday, 9.45 to 10.30 am.  Richard Erskine is a well known and respected psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor as well as the founder of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association.  He is also the author of numerous books in psychotherapy and a well-known international speaker in the psychotherapy world.

The third Keynote Speaker is Sally Openshaw who will be delivering her keynote speech on Sunday, 9.45 to 10.30 am.  Sally Openshaw is an Integrative Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor. She is a member of COSRT, UKCP and is the current President of IIPA. She will bring to this conference her specialist interest in sexuality diversity in her keynote speech and ways to work safely with erotic transference and countertransference in her workshop. Sally balances the demands of her professional working life with a weekly dose of grandchildren and gardening and a health growing in her veg patch.

As I write this Welcome to yourselves I realise that this is the 10^th Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy Conference that I have organised and hosted.  I have been privileged in organising the numerous Psychotherapy Conferences and being surrounded by many of my esteemed colleagues who have helped and enabled me to organise such stimulating and inspiring conferences.

On a final note, I hope you enjoy the various workshops, keynote speeches and social events such as the Social Night which is on Friday evening, as well as the fabulous Gala Night which is to be held on Saturday evening.

Once again, all that is left for me to say is for you to have a wonderful and stimulating conference.

Yours warmly,

Bob Cooke

Co-host and Conference Organiser

November 2024