Top Behavioral Health Conferences to Attend in 2026

Behavioral health is one of the most urgent areas in healthcare in 2026. The global Behavioral health crisis, rising demand for substance use treatment, workforce burnout, and the rapid integration of technology into care delivery are all reshaping what behavioral health professionals do and how they do it. 

Whether you are a therapist, psychiatrist, social worker, counsellor, healthcare executive, or behavioral health technology leader, the right conference is where you find your peers, earn your CE credits, and stay ahead of the trends shaping the field. This guide covers the top behavioral health conferences in 2026 — with verified dates, locations, who should attend, and what you gain. 

For Mental Conference event, join mental health conference 2026  in MA, United States

What is a behavioral health conference?

Behavioral health is a broad field that covers health, substance use disorders, emotional well-being, and the relationship between behaviour and physical health. Behavioral health conferences reflect that breadth — they bring together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, technology leaders, and advocates from across the Behavioral health, addiction treatment, and integrated care ecosystem. 

Unlike purely clinical psychiatry or psychology conferences, behavioral health events frequently combine clinical education with policy, leadership, technology, and business strategy. Some are heavily clinical (Psych Congress, ADAA); others are primarily technology and

innovation-focused (BHT); others are comprehensive system-level gatherings (NatCon). The events on this list span the full spectrum. 

Why attend a behavioral health conference in 2026?

The behavioral health field is evolving on multiple fronts simultaneously — AI-assisted therapy tools, 988 crisis response implementation, Medicaid expansion impacts, workforce shortages, and the shift toward value-based care are all live issues in 2026. Conferences are the fastest way to engage with all of them at once. 

Here is what you gain: 

•  CE and CEU credits for licence renewal across clinical, counselling, and social work certifications. 
• Direct access to policy developments — Medicaid updates, 988 implementation, and scope-of-practice changes. 
• Technology exposure — AI in health, digital therapeutics, telehealth, and electronic health records. 
• Networking with the full behavioral health ecosystem — clinicians, payers, investors, policymakers, and advocates. 
• Abstract presentation and publication for clinical researchers and evidence-based practice leaders. 

 Top behavioral health conferences in 2026 

1.   ★ International Psychology & Behavioral Health Conference 2026 — PubScholars (Boston, USA)

Date: November 20–21, 2026 

Location: Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton110 Royall St, Canton, MA 02021, United States 

Theme: “Next-Generation Neuropsychiatry & Mental Health: Integrating AI, Genomics and Clinical Excellence” 

The PubScholars International Psychology and Behavioral Health Conference 2026 is the most accessible event on this list for behavioral health researchers and clinicians who want to present their work internationally and get it published. The conference covers clinical psychology and behavioural therapy, AI in Behavioral health, neuropsychiatry and neurobehavioral science, trauma-informed care, digital Behavioral health tools, addiction and substance use research, child and adolescent behavioral health, and global Behavioral health equity. 

Both in-person and virtual attendance are fully supported. Abstracts are reviewed by an international scientific committee and accepted papers are published in official conference proceedings. CPD-accredited credits are available for both in-person and virtual attendees. 

Who should attend: Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, counsellors, behavioral health researchers, social workers with research interests, Behavioral health advocates, and postgraduate students presenting original behavioral health research 

CEUs / Credits: CPD-accredited credits available. Contact info@pubscholars.org 

Abstract submission: https://psychologyconference.pubscholars.org/submit-abstract/ 

Website: https://psychologyconference.pubscholars.org/ 

 Early Bird Registration closes April 30, 2026. Second round abstract submissions close May 15, 2026. 

2. NatCon 2026 — National Council for Behavioral Wellbeing (Denver, USA)

Date: April 27–29, 2026 (already held) 

Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado, USA 

NatCon 2026 is the largest behavioral health conference in the United States and one of the most important annual gatherings in the entire Behavioral health and substance use ecosystem. Hosted by the National Council for Behavioral Wellbeing in Denver, NatCon brings together 5,000+ behavioral health professionals from every corner of the field — from policy influencers and medical directors to social workers, researchers, CEOs, and frontline clinicians. 

NatCon 2026 offered over 150 continuing education credits across hundreds of sessions covering crisis response, rural healthcare, workforce development, diversity equity and inclusion, 988 implementation, integrated care, and substance use treatment. The 2026 Denver conference has already taken place. Watch thenationalcouncil.org for NatCon 2027 dates. 

Who should attend: Behavioral health executives, clinical leaders, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, case managers, policy advocates, and anyone working in Behavioral health or substance use treatment organisations 

CEUs: 150+ continuing education credits across the full programme 

Website:  

3.  Behavioral Health Tech Conference 2026 (BHT2026) — Nashville, USA

Date: September 22–24, 2026 

Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA 

The Behavioral Health Tech Conference 2026 is the largest behavioral health technology event in the USA and the central gathering for digital transformation in Behavioral health and substance use care. BHT2026 brings together providers, health plans, employers, digital health companies, investors, and policymakers to explore the latest innovations in behavioral health access and outcomes. 

The 2026 programme includes AI agent workshops, Medicaid and payer sessions, the “Young Innovators in Behavioral Health” awards, curated networking, and an expo hall showcasing the most significant behavioral health technology platforms of the year. For healthcare technology leaders and digital Behavioral health innovators, BHT is the unmissable event of 2026. 

Who should attend: Digital health founders and executives, behavioral health technology leaders, health plan and payer executives, HR and benefits leaders, investors in behavioral health, and provider organisations integrating technology into Behavioral health and substance use care 

CEUs: CE credits available — verify on behavioralhealthtech.com 

Website: https://www.behavioralhealthtech.com/ 

4. Psych Congress 2026 — Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Date: September 15–19, 2026 

Theme: 39th Annual Edition 

Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA 

Now in its 39th year, Psych Congress 2026 ranks among the most important psychiatry and behavioral health conferences in the country, with a focus on practical psychopharmacology and real-world clinical application. It is explicitly built to close the gap between scientific training and patient care, with steering committee members including Julie A. Carbray, PhD, on paediatric mood disorders; Rakesh Jain, MD, of Texas Tech; and Greg Mattingly, MD, of Washington University School of Medicine. 

Psych Congress covers depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, substance use disorders, and PTSD — with an emphasis on the evidence-based prescribing and treatment approaches that clinicians can implement immediately in practice. For psychiatrists and behavioral health clinicians who want practical, directly applicable CME content, Psych Congress is the strongest option in the September 2026 calendar. 

Who should attend: Psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs and PAs, psychologists, primary care physicians managing psychiatric conditions, and Behavioral health clinicians focused on practical psychopharmacology 

CEUs: CME and CE credits available — verify on psychcongress.net 

Website:  

 5. ADAA Annual Conference 2026 — Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Date: March 2026 (already held) — confirm 2027 dates on adaa.org 

Location: USA — confirm venue on adaa.org 

The ADAA Annual Conference is the premier research and clinical conference for anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related conditions — one of the most evidence-focused behavioral health events on the calendar. The conference bridges research and clinical practice in a way that is particularly valuable for clinicians who want to translate the latest anxiety and depression research directly into patient care. 

The 2026 ADAA conference has already taken place. Sessions cover CBT updates, pharmacotherapy for anxiety and depression, novel therapeutic approaches, PTSD treatment, and the science of fear and worry. A hybrid format makes it accessible to international clinicians. Watch adaa.org for 2027 dates. 

Who should attend: Psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and counsellors treating anxiety disorders and depression, clinical researchers in anxiety and mood disorders, and social workers and counsellors specialising in trauma and OCD 

CEUs: CE and CME credits available — verify on adaa.org 

Website: https://adaa.org/ 

6.  Lowcountry Behavioral Health Conference 2026 — Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Date: July 29–31, 2026 

Location: Gaillard Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA 

The Lowcountry Behavioral Health Conference is a clinician-focused behavioral health event known for pairing high-calibre speakers with the distinctive Gaillard Center venue in Charleston. The 2026 keynotes address traumatic grief with David Kessler, solution-focused brief therapy with Elliott Connie, and the process of turning suffering into wisdom with Shi Heng Yi. Sessions also cover childhood wounds with Dr. Galit Atlas and integrative trauma treatment with Dr. Frank Anderson. 

Pre-conference options include “Moving with Grief” — an experiential session for clinicians — and lunch workshops on emotional inheritance and interventional psychiatry updates. For therapists and counsellors who want a smaller, more intimate conference experience with genuinely distinctive content, Lowcountry is the most compelling option in the summer 2026 calendar. 

Who should attend: Therapists, psychologists, counsellors, and social workers with a focus on trauma, grief, solution-focused therapy, and integrative Behavioral health approaches 

CEUs: CEUs available — verify on lowcountrymhconference.com

Website:  https://www.lowcountrymhconference.com/

 7. National Latino Behavioral Health Conference 2026 — Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Date: September 9–11, 2026 

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 

The National Latino Behavioral Health Conference is the primary annual event for behavioral health professionals working with Latino communities across the USA. The 2026 conference in Albuquerque focuses on culturally specific interventions, knowledge frameworks, and clinical approaches in Latino behavioral health, with workshops offered in both English and Spanish. 

For behavioral health clinicians, researchers, and community health workers serving Latino populations, this conference provides a depth of culturally informed content that no general behavioral health conference can match. It is the most important annual gathering for Latino Behavioral health and substance use care professionals. 

Who should attend: Behavioral health clinicians, researchers, community health workers, and social service professionals serving Latino communities; bilingual clinicians seeking culturally specific CE content; and policymakers in Latino Behavioral health services 

CEUs: In-person CEUs available — verify on nationallatinonetwork.org 

Website:  https://nlbha.org/2026conference/

 8. CrisisCon 2026 — Crisis Response and 988 Implementation Conference

Date: October 5–8, 2026 

Location: USA — confirm venue on crisisresidential.org 

CrisisCon 2026 is jointly hosted by the Crisis Residential Association and the International Council for Helplines and focuses exclusively on crisis response — covering 988 implementation, crisis residential and stabilisation services, mobile crisis teams, and community coordination. No other behavioral health conference on this list offers this depth of crisis-specific content. 

For behavioral health professionals working in crisis services — whether in 988 call centres, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilisation units, or emergency departments — CrisisCon is the most targeted professional development event available. 

Who should attend: 988 counsellors and supervisors, mobile crisis team leaders, crisis residential and stabilisation staff, emergency department behavioral health professionals, and policymakers in crisis system development 

CEUs: CEUs available — verify on crisisresidential.org 

Website:  https://www.crisiscon.org/

 9. Behavioral Health America Annual Conference 2026

Date: October 8–9, 2026 

Location: USA — confirm venue on mhanational.org 

The Behavioral Health America Annual Conference emphasises prevention, policy, and equity — the upstream issues shaping behavioral health care at a population and systems level. MHA’s focus on early intervention, advocacy, and the social determinants of Behavioral health makes this conference distinctively different from the clinical and technology events on this list. 

Sessions cover Behavioral health prevention, stigma reduction, peer support, school-based Behavioral health, racial equity in behavioral health, and public policy. For behavioral health advocates, programme leaders, peer support specialists, and policy-focused professionals, MHA’s annual conference is the most directly relevant event of the year. 

Who should attend: Behavioral health advocates, Behavioral health programme leaders, peer support specialists, school counsellors, public health professionals, and policy-focused behavioral health leaders at all levels 

CEUs: CEUs available — verify on mhanational.org 

Website: https://mhanational.org/ 

 10. 4th Global Summit on Behavioral Health and Psychiatry 2026 — Singapore

Date: June 22–23, 2026 

Location: Singapore 

Theme: Science, Care, and Innovation 

The 4th Global Summit on Advances in Behavioral Health and Psychiatry brings together clinicians, researchers, advocates, educators, public health leaders, and policymakers from across the globe. It is the most internationally diverse behavioral health event of 2026, with the Singapore location making it particularly accessible for Asia-Pacific behavioral health professionals. 

The programme covers digital Behavioral health and AI in behavioral care, addiction psychiatry, global Behavioral health disparities, trauma-informed care, and emerging treatments in anxiety, depression, and PTSD. For behavioral health professionals based in or connected to Asia-Pacific healthcare systems, this is the strongest event of the year. 

Who should attend: Psychiatrists, behavioral health researchers, public health professionals, policymakers, and clinicians working in or with Asia-Pacific behavioral health systems 

Quick comparison: behavioral health conferences 2026 at a glance

Use this table to find the best match for your role, goals, and timeline.

Conference	Hybrid	Abstract	CEUs	USA	Date
PubScholars Psychology 2026 ★	Hybrid	✓	✓	✓	Nov 20–21
NatCon 2026 (Denver)	In-person	✓	50+	✓	Apr 27–29 ✓held
BHT 2026 (Nashville)	In-person	Limited	✓	✓	Sep 22–24
Psych Congress 2026 (Nashville)	In-person	Limited	✓	✓	Sep 15–19
ADAA Conference 2026	Hybrid	✓	✓	✓	Mar 2026 ✓held
Lowcountry MH Conf. 2026	In-person	✓	✓	✓	Jul 29–31
National Latino BH Conf. 2026	In-person	✓	✓	✓	Sep 9–11

NatCon 2026 and ADAA 2026 have already taken place. All other dates verified as of May 2026. Confirm on official websites before registering. 

How to choose the right behavioral health conference for you 

 If you want the largest behavioral health conference in the USA 

NatCon 2026 (Apr 27–29, Denver) is the largest behavioral health conference in the USA, with 5,000+ attendees and 150+ CE credits. The 2026 Denver edition has already taken place. Watch thenationalcouncil.org for NatCon 2027. 

If you want to present research and get published 

The PubScholars Psychology and Behavioral Health Conference 2026 (Nov 20–21, Boston) is the most accessible option for abstract submission, international peer review, and publication in conference proceedings. CPD-accredited credits available. Submit at psychologyconference.pubscholars.org/submit-abstract/. 

If your focus is behavioral health technology and innovation 

The Behavioral Health Tech Conference 2026 (Sep 22–24, Nashville) is the definitive event for digital transformation in behavioral health. It is where payers, investors, digital health founders, and provider organisations shaping the technology-driven future of Behavioral health care converge. 

If your focus is clinical psychopharmacology and psychiatry 

Psych Congress 2026 (Sep 15–19, Nashville) provides the most practical, directly applicable CME content for psychiatrists and prescribing behavioral health clinicians. Its 39th edition builds on decades of focus on closing the gap between research and patient care. 

If you work in crisis services or 988 implementation 

CrisisCon 2026 (Oct 5–8) is the only dedicated crisis response conference on this list. No other behavioral health event provides this depth of 988 implementation, mobile crisis, and crisis stabilisation content. 

If your focus is Latino behavioral health 

The National Latino Behavioral Health Conference (Sep 9–11, Albuquerque) delivers culturally specific, bilingual content for clinicians and community health workers serving Latino populations — content that no general behavioral health conference provides. 

Useful guides for behavioral health professionals 

These PubScholars resources will help you prepare:

•  How to write a conference abstract — structure, format, and template for nursing research 
• What is the purpose of a conference committee — understand how your abstract is reviewed 
• Conference papers vs journal papers — decide the right publication route for your nursing research 
• Nursing grants and scholarships 2026 — funding options to cover conference registration and travel 
• Guide to USA conference visa requirements — for international nurse researchers attending San Diego, Miami, or Boston events

Frequently asked questions — behavioral health conferences 2026 

What is the biggest behavioral health conference in 2026? 

NatCon 2026 (April 27–29, Colorado Convention Center, Denver) is the largest behavioral health conference in the United States, hosted by the National Council for Behavioral Wellbeing. It draws 5,000+ professionals from clinical, leadership, policy, and community behavioural health — and offered over 150 CE credits across its 2026 Denver programme. 

Is there a behavioral health conference in Boston in 2026? 

Yes. The PubScholars International Psychology and Behavioral Health Conference 2026 runs November 20–21 at the Aloft Boston Seaport District, Boston, MA. It is a hybrid event with CPD-accredited credits and abstract submission open. Register at psychologyconference.pubscholars.org. 

What is the difference between a behavioral health conference and a psychiatry conference? 

Psychiatry conferences (APA Annual Meeting, Psych Congress, WCP) focus primarily on clinical diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, and psychiatric research. Behavioral health conferences have a broader scope — covering not only clinical practice but also substance use treatment, policy, crisis services, peer support, technology, and the full organisational ecosystem of Behavioral health care. Many professionals attend both types of events. 

Which behavioral health conference focuses on technology in 2026? 

The Behavioral Health Tech Conference 2026 (BHT2026, September 22–24, Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville) is the largest and most influential behavioral health technology conference in the USA. It is specifically designed for organisations and professionals integrating digital tools, AI, telehealth, and data analytics into behavioral health care. 

Which behavioral health conference offers the most CE credits in 2026? 

NatCon 2026 offered over 150 continuing education credits across its three-day Denver programme — the highest CE concentration of any behavioral health conference on this list. The conference has already taken place for 2026. 

Do I need a visa to attend a behavioral health conference in the USA? 

International behavioral health professionals travelling to conferences in the USA — Nashville, Boston, or Denver — may need a B-1 visa. Your conference organisers can provide a formal invitation letter. Read our complete guide to USA conference visa requirements for the documents you need and how to apply. 

Final thought 

Behavioral health in 2026 sits at a critical intersection of clinical innovation, technological transformation, workforce crisis, and policy change. The conferences on this list cover every dimension of that challenge — from the scale and policy reach of NatCon to the technology focus of BHT, the clinical depth of Psych Congress, the trauma expertise of Lowcountry, and the cultural specificity of the National Latino Behavioral Health Conference. 

If you are a behavioral health researcher or clinician looking for an accessible hybrid event with abstract submission open and publication in conference proceedings in 2026, the PubScholars Psychology and Behavioral Health Conference 2026 (November 20–21, Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton110 Royall St, Canton, MA 02021) is the most accessible remaining option.