Conference

SUBTHEME 1: THE AFRICAN BUFFALO
Practices that foster strength, resilience, and  adaptability

  • Developing resilience in the face of adversity
  • Promoting adaptability
  • Fostering mental wellbeing
  • Using strength-based approaches
  • Gender-based violence
  • Working with students with disabilities

SUBTHEME 2: THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT
Practices that foster care for the caregiver

  • Client care versus self-care
  • Mental well-being of professionals
  • Practitioner burnout
  • Professional development
  • Development of new psychology professionals

SUBTHEME 3: THE BLACK RHINOCEROS
Practices that shape and develop our environment

  • Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence
  • New age of student services
  • Future-ready graduates
  • Creative interventions
  • The efficient and effective use of resources
  • Developing skills and competencies
  • Embracing Diversity
  • Practices that are inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community

SUBTHEME 4: THE LEOPARD
Traditional and Modern Practices

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Online vs Hybrid vs Face-to-Face interventions
  • Individual vs Group counselling
  • Legislation/policies vs Ethical practices
  • Short-term versus long-term therapy

SUBTHEME 5: THE LION
Maintaining healthy balance in the face of challenges

  • Managing ethical challenges
  • Capacity versus institutional  expectations
  • Different roles that we are expected to play in our institutions
  • Challenges faced by professionals
  • Juggling acts of service

All conference presentations should encourage delegate participation, evoke thought-provoking ideas, and create an engaging atmosphere where questions can be asked. Conference presentations must demonstrate relevance in respect of the conference theme and subthemes and fit into one of the four abstract categories.

  • Written in MS Word and saved as a PDF.
  • Single line spacing.
  • Calibri 12 font.
  • Be linked to a specific subtheme.
  • Include the title of the abstract.
  • Indicate if it is a presentation, workshop or poster.

250 to 300 words

A conceptual abstract submission should include the title, a statement; share key explorative strategies, include relevant theoretical arguments, and describe findings/experiences. 

250 to 300 words

A conceptual abstract submission should include the title, a statement; share key explorative strategies, include relevant theoretical arguments, and describe findings/experiences

250 to 350 words

Abstract should describe the title, purpose and outline of the workshop, the key learning outcomes and the duration and number of attendees

250 to 300 words

The abstract must clearly indicate that it is a poster presentation.

The abstract requirements are the same as for the research or conceptual papers.

LAYOUT OF PAGE ONE

Please make sure that the following information is present on the first page of the abstract submission:

  • Title of paper
  • Type of abstract (research/conceptual/workshop/poster)
  • Relevant subtheme
  • Name/s of presenter/s
  • Surname/s of presenter/s
  • Email address/s of presenter/s
  • Institution
  • A one paragraph CV of the presenter/s (a more detailed CV will be requested if the abstract is accepted)

LAYOUT OF PAGE TWO

  • Title of the abstract in capital letters
  • The abstract

EMAIL YOUR ABSTRACT TO

scu.admin@up.ac.za

All submissions must have “SAACDHE 2025 Abstract: SURNAME” in the subject line

If you have any problems with or queries related to abstract submission, send an email to Lynne Malan (Malanl@tut.ac.za)

Closing date for abstract submissions
30 June 2025

Abstracts timeline

First call for abstracts15 April 2025
Second call for abstracts 15 May 2025
Third call for abstracts 15 June 2025
Closing date for abstract submission 30 June 2025
Abstract committee send feedback on submissions25 April – 31 July 2025
Submission of presentation for preloading8 September 2025
Submission of full paper for publication in the
JCDHESA
14 October 2025

SAACDHE MEMBER (FEES PAID UP UNTIL THE END OF JULY 2025)R5300 INCLUDES EVENING FUNCTIONS 
SAACDHE MEMBER (FEES NOT PAID UP UNTIL THE END OF JULY 2025) R5800 INCLUDES EVENING FUNCTIONS 
NON- SAACDHE MEMBER R5800 INCLUDES EVENING FUNCTIONS 
Conference day fee excluding the evening functionsR2200
Conference day fee for Monday including the evening functionR2500
Conference day fee for Wednesday including evening functionR2700

The Ranch Resort in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa, is a 4-star hotel within a 1,000-hectare nature conservancy, offering a combination of leisure, sports, and wildlife experiences. It is 25 km south of Polokwane and 280 km north of Johannesburg. The resort features a variety of accommodation options, a 12-hole par 3 executive golf course, and activities like game drives, horseback riding, and more.

Visit The Ranch website for more information on our conference venue and the accommodation options.

Visit The Ranch website for more information on our conference venue and the accommodation options.

All bookings and booking enquiries must be sent to the following persons.

Matau Mohlomi reservations@theranch.co.za 015 290 5000

Virginia Kabe reservations2@theranch.co.za 015 290 5000

Moloko Rasefate fom@theranch.co.za 015 290 5000

Please indicate that you are attending the SAACDHE conference.

Other accommodation options

Conference registration process

Step 1:

Register for the Conference by 5pm on 5 September 2025

https://tinyurl.com/SAACDHE

Step 2:

A conference invoice will be created based on the information supplied.

Step 3:

Conference payment must be made by 12 September 2025

Step 4:

Proof of payment must be emailed to Lynne Malan.

Step 5:

Conference registration will be confirmed once payment reflects in the conference bank account.

No delegate will be allowed to attend the conference without payment.