Contribute to Context

Thinking of writing an article for Context, our magazine for family and systemic psychotherapy and practice? Take a look through our guide below to find out more.

A woman working on laptop at her desk in an office.

Thanks so much for your interest in writing for Context.

The Context editorial team are interested in a broad range of articles to interest both Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (AFSP) members and other readers.

Read all the latest issues and find out more about the magazine

Who can write for Context?

We welcome views on family and systemic psychotherapy from everyone, regardless of where you are in your career or what your background is.

We actively encourage new, emerging and unpublished writers to contribute articles.

We’re keen to include recently qualified systemic practitioners and those in training. Articulating your thoughts for others to respond to, expressing ideas and finding your voice all help you develop as a therapist. It also helps widely disseminate systemic ideas into our culture.

What support do you offer?

The Context editorial team can help you fine tune your article and ideas if you want support. Our editor-in-chief, Ged Smith, deputy editor, Carole Payne, and individual issue editors, can help guide you if you have ideas but are new to writing articles.

What rules do you have for articles?

Context has less rigorous formal requirements than peer-reviewed academic journals.

We don’t require peer-review standards of presentation and comprehensive literature reviews. However, we do look for a good, clear writing style and academic integrity, acknowledging sources and the origins of ideas.

Future themes and editors

We plan issues of the magazine well in advance. Some are based on specific themes with guest editors, and others are general issues covering a range of topics.

We start producing each magazine several months ahead of the publication date. So please contact us as soon as you can if you’re interested in contributing to a particular issue.

Below is a list of upcoming issues. If you’d like to submit an article, please contact the editorial team using the form at the bottom of the page with a brief description of your proposed article. We’ll put you in touch with the relevant editors.

#205 / June 2026 – Neuroscience and family systems: You’ve got another think coming! – Editors: Chip Chimera and Rudi Dallos (article submission deadline passed)
#206 / August 2026 – general issue – Editor: Carole Payne (article submission deadline passed)
#207 / October 2026 – Developments in non-violent resistance – Editors: Pete Brown and Lydia Stafford (article submission deadline passed)
#208 / December 2026 – Passion projects: Working with couples and other adult intimate relationships – Editors: Nicola McCarry and Katrina Waller
#209 / February 2027 – Exploring personal and professional narratives of sibling relationships: How might they influence the therapeutic relationship and practice? – Editor: Teresa Pacchiega
#210 / April 2027 – general issue – Editor: Ged Smith
#211 / June 2027 – Systemic therapy and legal systems – Editors: Chip Chimera and Jackie Young
#212 / August 2027 – general issue – Editor: Carole Payne
#213 / October 2027 – Working systemically in adult learning disabilities services – Editors: Sandra Baum and Bethan Ramsey
#214 / December 2027 – Systemic and narrative work with refugees – Editors: Ana Draper, Elisa Marcellino and Samantha Thomson
#215 / February 2028 – general issue – Editor: Ged Smith
#216 / April 2028 – The Scottish context – Editor: Gillian Petrie
#217 / June 2028 – Reflecting on reflecting teams – Editor: Pete Brown
#218 / August 2028 – general issue – Editor: Carole Payne