2026 IARPP 22nd Annual Conference
Toronto, Canada
Can Hate Last?
Reclaiming Clinical Sensibilities in Relational Psychoanalysis
May 7-10, 2026
Conference Co Chairs:
Hazel Ipp, PhD
Hilary Offman, MD FRCPC
Conference Local Committee:
Judi Kobrick
Afarin Kohan
Deborah Levine
Jamie McMillan
Christian Schulz-Quach
Bettina Von Lieres
Conference International Committee:
Anthony Bass
Margaret Black Mitchell
Susanna Federici
Steven Kuchuck
Gianni Nebbiosi
Sandra Toribio Caballero
Venue: Hyatt Regency Toronto
Dear Colleagues,
It has been 25 years since Stephen Mitchell published his last book, Can Love Last: The Fate of Romance Over Time. Now, we find ourselves considering the fate of hate over time as we seek to come to terms with the impact of the hatred we face in our internal worlds (in hating and being hated) and in the social-cultural-interpersonal surround in which hatred and destructiveness abounds and shapes the field in which we live and practice.
When uncertainty grows and there is a lack of future prospects and vision, polarizations often offer the illusion of cohesion around something or someone defined in opposition to someone or something else. The commitment to creating or contributing to a sustainable and supportive way of life seems fragile and perhaps futile. Hate can become a strong affective bond as a misguided response to a deeper need for care and recognition.
In this context, reclaiming clinical sensibilities to further our recognition of the complexity of bonds and affects becomes a precious counter-cultural commitment that is increasingly necessary. Relational theory’s pluralistic emphasis on interpersonal relationships and the co-construction of meaning particularly lends itself to a creative exploration of hate’s complexity, allowing us to inhabit a position from which we might hope to metabolize, integrate, and transform it.
How, then, does a Relational clinician work when pulled in the direction of being a bad object? How do we manage the intense transference and countertransference engendered by feelings of hate? And what does it all look like in the context of the asymmetrical mutuality of a relational frame?
At this conference, we will explore how we live and work in the context of the hate we encounter, both within ourselves and others, and inside and outside our consulting rooms.
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto, ON, Canada – May 7- 10, 2026.
Hazel Ipp, PhD
Hilary Offman, MD, FRCPC
IARPP 2026 Conference Co-Chairs
REGISTRATION DETAILS
REGISTER ONLINE
Registration for the conference allows attendance at all sessions of the Main Conference, coffee and light breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and all scheduled coffee breaks. Lunches are on your own.
In an effort to reduce paper waste, we will not be printing the brochure and onsite conference materials. You will find everything on the conference website by clicking the button below.
To secure your place in your preferred Pre-Conference Workshop and Panel Sessions, early registration is strongly advised. All Panel Session placements will be made strictly on a first-come (paid), first-served basis.
Early bird rates end April 5, 2026.
Hotel Information
Hyatt Regency Toronto
370 king street
Toronto, ON, m5v -1j9, ca
There are no more group rate rooms available at the Hyatt.
For local alternatives to Hyatt Toronto please consult online reservation sites such as, Expedia, Hotels.com, AirBnB.
Hyatt Regency Toronto Reservation
Telephone: (416) 343-1234