Finding Clarity at the Roots

Finding Clarity at the Roots: UBC, Rachman, and the Legacy of Real-World CBT: 16th Annual CACBT Conference – May 1–2, 2026

Why UBC?

Did you know that some of the seminal work on CBT was conducted on the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC)? It’s part of what makes it such a fitting place to hold the 16th Annual CACBT-ACTCC conference.

UBC Professor Stanley (Jack) Rachman redefined how we understand fear. Rachman didn’t just study fear; he listened to it. In his pioneering work ,which began overseas, and largely continued at UBC, he helped shape treatments that gave people their lives back. His work lives on every time a therapist teaches a client how to face uncertainty, challenge compulsions, or stop seeking one more “just to be sure” reassurance. UBC isn’t just a venue. It’s a part of the landscape of CBT history.

Clarity in the Chaos.

Exposure and response prevention (ERP)—now the gold standard for treating OCD—was once a radical departure from tradition. It was through Rachman’s bold, structured, and deeply compassionate work that ERP found its footing. He educated therapists not just to challenge fear, but to walk alongside clients as they learned to tolerate uncertainty.

Today, in a world marked by political instability, information overload, and rising anxiety, that same clarity and courage are needed more than ever. The 2026 CACBT Conference embraces this reality. Our theme—CBT in the Real World: Finding Clarity in Chaos—brings together leading minds in the field to help us stay grounded, evidence-based, and effective amidst the noise.

The Future Meets the Past

As the 16th Annual CACBT Conference returns to UBC, we return to the foundations of our field—with fresh eyes and renewed purpose.

In a world that often feels chaotic, CBT offers clarity. Grounded in science. Informed by empathy. Tested in reality.

Join us in Vancouver. Celebrate the legacy. Shape what’s next.