We are excited to announce that the 2026 National Latino Behavioral Health Conference will be held in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico, from September 9th to 11th , 2026. This year’s theme is ¡Juntos Podemos! Bridging Systems, Cultures and Care!
NEW for 2026: Invitation to Clinical Leaders & Behavioral Health Providers
learn more here!
As part of NLBHA’s ongoing commitment to elevate clinical excellence and increase culturally responsive behavioral health services in Latino communities, we are actively seeking proposal submissions from licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), and medical doctors (MDs) with expertise in behavioral health, integrated care, and clinical leadership.
This year’s conference aims to expand our reach into a broader clinical community to enhance the depth, rigor, and multidisciplinary engagement of our training offerings. We strongly encourage clinicians, medical professionals, and academic researchers to submit proposals that contribute advanced knowledge, emerging science, and evidence-informed practices that support Latino mental health across the lifespan.
NLBHA welcomes proposals from both seasoned clinical experts and emerging clinical leaders, with the goal of building a stronger national pipeline of Latino-serving clinicians and expanding our network of high-quality speakers, trainers, and policymakers. We invite experienced trainers, emerging leaders, researchers, and behavioral health professionals with backgrounds in addiction, recovery, co-occurring conditions, integrated care, and prevention to submit proposals for 75-minute or 90-minute breakout sessions.
The submission deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026
We invite proposals that focus on themes relevant to the Hispanic/Latino community, such as but not limited to:
Traditional Healing Practices
Specialty areas – Latino Population focused on addictions; mental health; recovery, prevention, crisis intervention; rehabilitation)
Wellness and prevention for Latinos (I.e., suicide prevention, early intervention, SUD prevention)
Linguistically and culturally appropriate services, treatments, and assessments for Latino and diverse Latino populations
Behavioral health career development
Behavioral health theory/practice in serving Latino populations
Leadership & Advocacy (behavioral health/mental health among Latino Populations)
Latino-based Research and Policy
Social and culturally informed practices in serving Latino/Hispanic populations
Peer Recovery (non-clinical)
Integrated models of care
For the first time, we are also actively seeking proposal submissions from:
Licensed Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs)
Medical Doctors (MDs) with behavioral health or integrated care expertise
Clinicians specializing in trauma, substance use, youth mental health, or cultural adaptations of EBPs
This new 2026 initiative expands our clinical learning tracks and strengthens the conference’s capacity to highlight high-impact clinical innovations, treatment models, and culturally grounded approaches to care.
We Also Continue to Welcome Submissions From All Behavioral Health Providers Serving Latino Communities, including:
Peer Support Specialists
Community Health Workers / Promotores
Behavioral Health Program Coordinators & Managers
Social Workers, Counselors, LMFTs
Youth & Family Service Providers
Prevention & Recovery Specialists
Behavioral Health Administrators and Leaders
Educators, Trainers, and Workforce Developers
Researchers, Evaluators, and Policy Analysts
Students and Emerging Professionals
Community-based practitioners and traditional healers
Session Types:
90-minute workshop including Q&A
75-minute breakout or panel session including Q&A
DAY 3 exclusive: 90-minute keynote on culturally grounded healing
DAY 3 exclusive: 90-minute skill-based presentations combining short lectures with live demonstrations (e.g., curanderismo, drumming, mindfulness, movement therapy)
DAY 3 exclusive: Plenary session for Cultural Healing Day