IPA Convention 2025: Community: Gathering & Growing Together

Pet loss is a form of disenfranchised grief that is often overlooked in clinical settings, despite its profound impact on mental health. As over 70% of U.S. households own pets and consider them family members, psychologists are increasingly likely to encounter clients grieving the loss of a companion animal. Yet, most clinical training programs do not address pet bereavement. This seminar will equip clinicians with the tools to identify and compassionately treat grief stemming from the loss of a beloved animal. Participants will explore the psychological significance of human-animal bonds, examine cultural and developmental influences on pet grief, and learn to differentiate between normative grief and complicated or traumatic grief responses. The seminar will also present integrative treatment strategies, including EMDR techniques (e.g., the Butterfly Hug), CBT, and meaning reconstruction. Attendees will review and explore ethical considerations, engaging in reflective training exercises to develop competence and empathy. This session is suitable for clinicians working in outpatient settings, including those specializing in grief counseling, family therapy, and trauma-informed care. 

The evolution of tattoos into powerful symbols of personal meaning is now a growing area of innovation in clinical practice. Once primarily associated with marginalized groups, gangs, incarcerated individuals, and military personnel, tattoos are now mainstream—nearly 30% of adults in the U.S. have at least one tattoo.
Over the past three decades, shifting social norms and emerging research have opened new opportunities for clinical psychologists. Tattoos can offer rich insight into a client’s identity, life transitions, resilience, attachments, trauma, memorials, and goals. This presentation explores integrating new research and approaches using permanent and temporary tattoos into clinical work —from initial assessments to goal setting, issue processing,
and relapse prevention—to enhance therapeutic outcomes and deepen client engagement.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Attendees will be able to identify three evidence-based techniques (e.g., EMDR, CBT, Narrative, Reconstruction) useful in treatment of pet loss
2. Attendees will be able to address cultural and ethical considerations when treating pet loss
3. Attendees will be able to describe two ways to initiate inquiry into the significance of client tattoos
 

Perinatal loss—including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death—is a profoundly life-altering experience, often met with silence or insufficient support in clinical and societal contexts. As psychologists, we are in a unique position to provide meaningful care to individuals and families navigating the complex grief of perinatal loss. Yet, traditional models of grief, such as Kübler-Ross’s five stages, may fall short in capturing the unique contours of this experience. This presentation invites psychologists to expand their clinical lens by exploring contemporary grief theories—such as meaning-making models, continuing bonds, narrative reconstruction, and the dual process model—and applying these frameworks to perinatal loss.

This presentation will begin by defining perinatal loss, highlighting its prevalence, and reviewing the psychological sequelae, including anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and identity challenges. We will then examine the limitations of stage-based grief models, arguing that while they offer a common language, they can inadvertently pathologize natural variations in grief.

Contemporary frameworks—including Worden’s Task Model, the Dual Process Model (Stroebe & Schut), Meaning Reconstruction (Neimeyer), Continuing Bonds (Klass, Silverman, & Nickman), and the Two-Track Model of Bereavement (Rubin)—will be introduced as more nuanced approaches. These models emphasize that grief is not something to "complete" but rather to integrate into ongoing life, with fluctuations over time. We will explore how these concepts apply specifically to perinatal loss, where grief may be disenfranchised, identity as a parent may feel suspended, and the loss of future dreams complicates mourning.

The presentation will include a focus on clinical tools: how to support clients in naming their loss, creating ritual and memorialization, navigating anniversaries and milestones, addressing partner dynamics, and exploring identity reconstruction after loss. We will also touch on trauma-informed care principles, recognizing the intersection of perinatal loss with prior reproductive trauma, infertility, or medical interventions.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to describe the psychological impact of PCOS, including its associations with anxiety, depression, and disordered eating.
2. Attendees will be able to explain how PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and weight stigma interact, and analyze the limitations of traditional weight-centric models of care.
3. Attendees will be able to apply cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle medicine interventions tailored for individuals with PCOS to improve mood, body image, and self-efficacy.
4. Attendees will be able to demonstrate practical strategies for incorporating weight-inclusive care in clinical practice, fostering client self-compassion and resilience.

 

Many patients undergoing a craniotomy for brain tumors are warned about the possible neurological deficits they may encounter post surgery, but are not warned about the neuropsychological sequelae that are likely to ensue. Nor do they undergo pre-surgical and post-surgical cognitive evaluations to measure true deficits and impairments as consequences of their brain surgery. My recent craniotomy for a meningioma on my brain has led to many insights regarding the impact of typical pre and post craniotomy care, personal lessons learned, and the need for the development of psychological and neuropsychological interventions within a brain surgery treatment team approach in hospital and rehabilitation settings.

Learning Objectives

1.  Attendees will be able to list the common neuropsychological sequelae that occur after brain surgery within a biopsychosocial framework.
2. Attendees will be able to identify several points of interventions pre and post brain surgery to assist patients with understanding and coping with potential neuropsychological outcomes following brain surgery.
3.  Attendees will be able to name at least 2 ways that neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists can identify, educate, and develop programs within a team framework to assist neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other medical team members understand and communicate to patients the possible neuropsychological deficits and impairments from their brain surgery.
 

Decoding Self-Funded vs. Fully Funded Plans: Understanding the processes and legal considerations surrounding record requests from insurance companies, and differentiating risk adjustment reviews from claims payment audits.

Best Practices for Benefit Verification: emphasizing the importance of verifying benefits with new patients prior to the start of treatment, and with existing patients at the start of each year.

Staying Ahead: Medicare Updates and Their Impact: A dedicated session providing the latest information on Medicare policy changes, billing guidelines, and potential impacts on psychological services. 

Navigating Record Requests from Insurance Companies: Understanding the processes and legal considerations surrounding record requests from insurance companies (risk adjustment reviews vs. claims payment audits)

Updates and Insights from the IPA 90837 Task Force: A dedicated presentation from a representative from the 90837 task force outlining their recent activities, findings, and recommendations related to the 90837 billing code and Medicare Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) audits.

Member Concerns: Recognizing the importance of addressing specific member concerns, this session will incorporate dedicated time for responding to questions from IPA members received prior to the convention. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit their reimbursement-related inquiries in advance. These questions will be compiled and addressed by committee members during interactive Q&A sessions.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to identify at least two times throughout the course of treatment that it is recommended to verify patient benefits.
2. Attendees will be able to define self-funded and fully-funded insurance plans and describe at least two of the differences between these types of insurance coverages and how these differences may affect reimbursement policies.
3. Attendees will be able to describe at least three ways to prepare (particularly in terms of documentation) for possible insurance audits.
4. Attendees will be able to describe at least two recent Medicare policy updates and their impact on mental health treatment

This symposium explores the powerful intersection of mental health advocacy, documentary storytelling, and civic engagement. Chaired by psychologist and advocate Dr. Jane Conron, the session features award-winning filmmakers Doug Blush (The S Word), Lisa Klein (Of Two Minds), and composer Miriam Cutler (RBG, The Hunting Ground). It opens with recorded presentations showcasing their work on mental health and voting rights.

The first panel discussion will examine how emotionally resonant storytelling can influence   mental health healing through decreasing stigmatization, increasing awareness, discussion and access to suicide, bipolar disorder and other urgent societal and mental health issues.  The discussion will review the research and clinical records of how an increase of civic engagement results in improved mental health and wellness among marginalized communities.  The session will highlight non-partisan advocacy videos that promote initiatives aimed at expanding voter access, with the goal of improving mental health outcomes in marginalized communities that face systemic barriers to civic participation. 

The second section will review fostering constructive dialogue between individuals with opposing political views. The presenter will introduce a discussion on how short-form video content is influencing brain networks and changing how people process information in the digital era. The presenter will present VSMap, an interactive digital tool developed by a student volunteer in a private mental health voting advocacy group, was created to help communities identify voting barriers and initiate action-oriented conversations about civic engagement. Although promising, the tool’s rollout was delayed due to rising political polarization. The panel will explore how media manipulation and irregular digital warfare have disrupted cognitive processing and communication, particularly between politically divided groups. The panel will discuss the research and online evidence of how these dynamics have increased reactivity, reduced thoughtful discourse, and negatively impacted psychological well-being. Panel discussion will examine how advocacy should shift to address the neurological and emotional effects of digital content and misinformation. Research and live content from the Naval War College will be briefly reviewed as part of broader efforts to protect mental health and social cohesion.

In the last 30 minutes, the symposium will present evidence-based tools and strategies to encourage constructive, respectful dialogue across political and ideological lines—within families, communities, and professional settings, including psychology. Attendees will leave with practical insights for integrating advocacy into mental health practice, facilitating civic engagement, and promoting community resilience.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to explain the science backed power of narrative in reducing stigma and promoting mental health advocacy.

2. Attendees will be able to recognize the evidence-based data on the intersection of mental health, voting rights, and civic engagement.

3. Attendees will be able to identify three evidence-based ways psychologists can engage in nonpartisan advocacy efforts that support mental health equity and democratic participation.

This presentation offers a paradigm-shifting perspective on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), challenging traditional deficit-based models by reframing ADHD through an evolutionary, neurobiological, and strengths-based lens. Rather than viewing ADHD as a dysfunction, this presentation explores it as a neurotype that evolved to serve critical adaptive functions in tribal societies—and remains vital today.

Using data-driven insights and vivid metaphors, the presenter will demonstrate how societal structures—shaped by statistical norms (the Bell Curve) and “majority rule” thinking—unintentionally marginalize those whose brains are wired differently. If systems are built for the neuro-majority, then of course ADHD brains, which make up 5–10% of the population, may appear “dysfunctional”—when in fact, they are simply running a different (and often more innovative) operating system.

The session explores the concept of neurodiversity by drawing on evolutionary theory: in hunter-gatherer communities, divergent attention styles were essential for survival. The out-of-the-box thinkers—those quick to notice changes, take risks, or imagine creative solutions—helped their groups adapt, invent, and thrive. These same traits now drive modern creativity, from breakthroughs in tech and music to elite athletic performance.

To bridge science with practical application, attendees will be introduced to a working theory that compares ADHD and neurotypical brains to Mac and PC computers—each requiring different software and support. When misunderstood, ADHD individuals may experience chronic shame, internalized blame, and generational trauma as families try (and fail) to meet the demands of systems never designed for their wiring.

The presentation also explores the neuroscience of self-regulation through a dynamic car metaphor. Just as a person can only drive from one seat at a time, the brain operates from different “control centers” depending on internal state and external demands. The front seat represents executive function (prefrontal cortex), the back seat reflects emotional reactivity (limbic system), and the trunk symbolizes survival-based responses (brainstem/cerebellum). This accessible framework helps clinicians, educators, and parents recognize which part of the brain is “behind the wheel” in a given moment—and offers strategies to support shifts toward more adaptive, regulated brain states.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to analyze and critique traditional deficit-based models of ADHD by integrating current neurobiological research and evolutionary theory, and articulate at least two strengths-based conceptualizations that reframe ADHD as an adaptive neurotype.

2. Attendees will be able to apply two metaphor-based psychoeducational models—the Mac vs. PC operating system analogy and the “brain as a car” self-regulation framework—to enhance clinical communication, reduce client shame, and support individualized intervention planning for ADHD.

Psychodrama, an expressive arts therapy developed by Dr. Jacob Moreno, uses guided dramatic action to create meaningful change. This experiential approach allows clients to examine past or present challenges through therapeutic role play in the here and now. Through these action techniques, clients gain deeper insight into their problems, explore new perspectives, identify solutions, and experience behavioral change. At its core, psychodrama is not only a therapeutic modality but also a powerful community-building process.  Psychodrama was developed as both a clinical intervention and a form of social healing and is often practiced in group where people join together to explore personal and collective experiences. 

This experiential workshop will introduce participants to the psychodramatic technique of the empty chair and will demonstrate how this dynamic tool can help create a space for self-reflection, emotional expression, problem-solving while being witnessed in a group.  Through demonstrations and experiential exercises, attendees will learn how the core principles and practical applications of psychodrama encourage insight, healing, and personal growth. Participants will learn how this technique aids clients in letting go of unhelpful roles and adopting more fulfilling ways of interacting with themselves and others. In addition, participants will learn the three phases to a psychodrama session: warm-up, action, and sharing. Presenters will also provide a concise overview of psychodrama’s historical and theoretical foundations. 

The workshop will highlight how the empty chair can be applied across diverse clinical settings to engage clients more deeply. Whether in individual therapy or group work, psychodrama offers a highly adaptable framework that activates creativity, spontaneity, and embodied self-awareness. 

This workshop makes a meaningful contribution to the application of psychological thought and practice by emphasizing action-based methodologies that extend beyond talk therapy. It supports a more integrative and embodied model of healing, honoring the complexity of internal systems and interpersonal dynamics while fostering greater emotional resilience and cognitive flexibility. 

All three presenters are certified in psychodrama and will collaboratively co-lead this presentation. Chicago Center for Psychodrama is an Illinois CE provider for Psychologists, Social Workers, and Counselors.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to describe psychodrama and identify who created it.

2. Attendees will be able to list one way the psychodramatic empty chair can be used in therapy.

Psychologists have the obligation to plan for clients’ transfer of care and responsible disposition of confidential records and materials of clinical practice in the event of our own death or incapacitation, as outlined in our ethics code. Yet, recent surveys show that only very small percentage of psychotherapists have fulfilled this responsibility, either due to lack of education, avoidance of facing their own mortality, or feeling overwhelmed by how to create such a plan and determine who could execute their wishes. 

Therapists often report feeling guilt and shame for failing to comply with this professional standard of care. Those who do try to make a will typically locate a template and ask a colleague to be named executor, and they often do not recognize that the will may not legally binding and lacks the specifics required to be actionable.  In addition, close colleagues would be grieving, tending their own responsibilities, and unlikely able to devote the enormous amount of time necessary to urgently address the needs of the practice. Without fulfilling this important duty in a fail-safe manner, therapists risk clients suffering from traumatic loss, their own reputation compromised, and added stress, as well as legal and financial liability for their families. In addition, the practice/estate may face significant unexpected executor costs.

This practical workshop explains the ethical mandate, and addresses the clinical, business, and emotional considerations of abrupt practice suspension as it impacts patients, colleagues, and family. Insights are drawn from the presenter’s first-hand experiences as a Practice Executor and will feature case material, pitfalls and best practices.  We will review components of a comprehensive Professional Will and considerations in selecting a Practice Executor capable of fulfilling your wishes.  Several accessible solutions will be presented to help navigate this often-avoided yet essential task, ensuring ethical compliance, protecting patients from the risks of traumatic termination, and sparing colleagues and family from unnecessary burden.   

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to explain the psychotherapist’s ethical duty to plan for sudden terminations.

2. Attendees will be able to list of the important components to include in a plan/Professional Will.

3. Attendees will be able to list the clinical, business, and practical duties of a Practice Executor, and guidelines for best practice.

Dr.Khalid examines the psychological impact of the largest mass migration to date in the world's history and its traumatic impact across generations of the South Asian diaspora. Grounded in decolonial practices and trauma-informed approaches, Dr. Khalid, a leading South Asian psychologist and descendant of Partition survivors, takes us through stories of grief and loss during the painful past of the Indian subcontinent. Weaving together scientific research on intergenerational trauma with practical case examples, Dr. Khalid uses a family systems framework to contextualize how trauma is transmitted from one generation to the next in South Asian families, and how to foster intergenerational resilience. 

These insights provide a new perspective on South Asian communities affected by historical traumas, such as colonialism, war, displacement, and systemic racism. Such trauma not only affects individual psychological wellbeing but also has broader societal implications. Similar to how famine and starvation in a population can result in generational medical issues, unhealed traumas can fester like open wounds and repeat (or skip) from ancestors to their descendants. Each South Asian generation since the Partition has faced its own unique challenges; the first generation of migrants experienced acute stress and post-traumatic stress; the second generation manifests these symptoms of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, ranging in repression of emotions and stoicism to lack of self-regulation, and the third and fourth generations are presenting with perfectionism, codependency, and attachment issues. One can trace the trickle-down effect of scarcity mindset on individuals, families and communities who are locked into surviving instead of thriving.

Shame and stigma around mental health issues have shrouded the dark legacy of the Partition and its aftermath in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The narratives of horror and shame create a tapestry of South Asian histories, weaving together stories of courage and resilience, stories of grief and loss, and this is where we come across the threads of trauma and secrets. This presentation is essential for mental health professionals, students, educators, and healthcare professionals who work with South Asian communities. 

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to contextualize South Asian mental health issues in the aftermath of the 1947 Partition.
 
2. Attendees will be able to apply family systems models when working with South Asian clients and use trauma informed interventions.

3. Attendees will be able to identify ways to reduce shame and stigma around mental health concerns and develop rapport with South Asian clients.

Childhood anxiety rates have risen dramatically in recent years, and many families are seeking help navigating anxious behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and avoidant coping patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) remains the gold standard for treating child anxiety, but traditional CBT interventions often require creative adaptation to engage younger clients effectively. This workshop offers clinicians practical, playful strategies for delivering CBT concepts in ways that children and families can understand, practice, and apply in real life.

Drawing on evidence-based approaches and playful interventions from our new book, The Anxiety Busting Workbook for Kids and related materials, this session will demonstrate how to teach core CBT skills—such as cognitive restructuring, exposure, and emotional regulation—through experiential activities, games, and interactive metaphors. Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools designed to demystify anxiety for kids and empower them to act as their own “brave coaches.”

Topics covered will include:

Teaching children to understand anxiety through developmentally appropriate metaphors (e.g., the "anxiety guard dog" model)

-Creating playful exposure hierarchies and fear-facing adventures
-Playful behavioral activation for kids stuck in avoidance loops
-Incorporating parents as “coaches” without reinforcing avoidance

Rather than solely focusing on theory, this session will be highly interactive and skills-based. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and demonstrations they can immediately bring back to their clinical work with anxious children and families.

In a time when children’s emotional needs are complex and urgent, this training offers clinicians fresh, practical ways to foster courage, resilience, and skill-building in their youngest clients—without sacrificing the rigor and effectiveness of evidence-based practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to identify playful, developmentally appropriate CBT strategies for helping children understand and manage anxiety.

2. Attendees will be able to demonstrate how to design and implement experiential, skills-based activities that support exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral activation for children and families.

In an era where digital connection is deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life, mental health professionals must actively engage with and understand the psychological implications of social media. Social media has become a central component of identity formation, communication, and community-building, particularly for younger generations who often rely on digital platforms for emotional expression and connection. As the lines between personal, professional, and digital lives blur, it is increasingly important for psychologists and mental health organizations to thoughtfully consider how they engage with these platforms.

This presentation explores the dual nature of social media as both a powerful tool and a potential psychological risk. On one hand, social platforms offer opportunities for connection, education, advocacy, and visibility for marginalized voices. On the other, they present challenges such as misinformation, algorithm-driven content that can worsen anxiety or depression, and the pressure to maintain curated versions of self that affect self-esteem and mental wellness.

We will examine the psychology and science behind social media engagement, including the brain’s response to likes, shares, and online feedback loops that impact reward systems and emotional regulation. Using recent peer-reviewed literature, we will highlight both risks and potential interventions, including strategies for promoting digital literacy and resilience.

Drawing from our hands-on experience managing the Illinois Psychological Association’s social media presence, we will share real-time strategies for cultivating an ethical, and empowering voice online. We will discuss the importance of accurate information sharing, engagement with current issues, culturally responsive messaging, and the intentional use of design and language to foster inclusion. Special attention will be given to combating mental health misinformation and promoting content that is factual, destigmatizing, and actionable.

Additionally, we will explore how clinicians and organizations can use social media to promote social justice and accessibility while meeting audiences where they are to amplify underrepresented narratives and support wellness. We will also consider the broader ethical implications: How do we balance visibility and vulnerability as professionals online? How do we support our clients in navigating their own digital landscapes? Ultimately, this presentation aims to equip attendees with the insight, tools, and frameworks necessary to navigate social media intentionally and responsibly, within both clinical practice and organizational communication.

Between psychologists and the public stand journalists—the storytellers who bring our profession’s challenges and triumphs to light. Join Duaa Eldeib, award-winning investigative reporter with ProPublica, as she takes us behind the scenes of her groundbreaking work on the state of mental health coverage in America. In August 2024, Duaa and her team exposed the hidden realities of ghost networks, coverage gaps, and unfulfilled promises, revealing the very real risks these systemic failures pose to individuals and families. Her presentation will shine a light on how journalism not only informs, but also pressures systems to change, bridging the distance between public expectation and lived experience.

Learning objectives 

1. Attendees will be able to discuss the common hurdles that psychologists may face in working within the parameters of the current insurance industry system. 

2. Attendees will gain insight into the process journalists use in working closely with community members, including psychologists, to comprehend the challenges they face; thereby giving voice to professionals who would not otherwise have access to this public forum. 

The current demands on leaders in mental health are high. Burnout, moral injury, and staff turnover are common across clinical systems. Research shows that leadership behaviors play a critical role in organizational well-being and team functioning (West et al., 2014; Edmondson, 2019). Leaders who model openness and flexibility help create environments where people feel they can speak up, share their perspectives, and even express dissent (Edmondson, 1999). 
Psychologists often find themselves in leadership positions—whether as clinical directors, owners of a clinical practice, supervisors, or educators. And, they’re often promoted because of their clinical expertise rather than leadership abilities. Many bring with them a temperament characterized by conscientiousness, perfectionism, or rigidity – traits that support high standards and accountability – but also may default to ineffective overcontrolled styles of communication and decision making that inadvertently and negatively impacts team or organizational dynamics. 
In this presentation, Drs. Danielle Doucette, Abby Brown, and Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher, will explore how Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT) principles can be applied to leadership skills and development and can support building effective leadership qualities, specifically tailored for psychologists in clinical, academic, and organizational roles. It is a transdiagnostic treatment developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch (2018), for individuals with overcontrolled biotemperaments, and offers a framework for cultivating psychological flexibility, increasing awareness of social signaling, and being open to feedback with humility - all important tenets of effective leadership. Applying RODBT to leadership development empowers psychologists to examine their own overcontrolled tendencies and learn to lead in ways that build trust and alignment within a team or organization. Presenters will also discuss biotempermental differences among under controlled and over controlled leaders as it relates to communication styles. 
Specifically, attendees will explore how radical openness, defined as the willingness to consider that one’s beliefs or behaviors might be wrong (Lynch, 2018), can improve feedback receptivity, reduce defensiveness, and foster a culture of humility and learning. The session will include examples, experiential exercises, and practical tools that help psychologists lead with increased openness, flexibility, and humility. We will invite a shift toward connection-based leadership that aligns with our professional values of curiosity, humility, and compassion. Through the lens of RODBT, we hope to help professionals shift leadership behaviors not by improving “management strategies” but by helping leaders unlearn the overcontrolled patterns that can limit their effectiveness. Applying RODBT to leadership development not only enhances individual leaders' well-being and relational functioning, but also promotes healthier systems that better serve both clients and clinicians.

Learning Objectices

1. Attendees will be able to identify at least two key principles of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT) and their potential application to leadership roles within clinical, academic, and organizational settings.

2. Attendees will be able to describe how applying RODBT principles, such as radical openness and flexible mind, can facilitate improved feedback receptivity and reduce defensiveness in leaders.

3. Attendees will be able to explain how addressing overcontrolled tendencies in leaders through RODBT can positively influence trust, alignment, and the overall well-being of individuals and teams within an organization.

4. Attendees will be able to articulate the potential benefits of integrating RODBT principles into leadership practices for enhancing organizational health, relational functioning, and ultimately, the quality of services provided to both staff and clients.

The presentation will cover the need and rationale for allowing psychologists to use electronic communications interjurisdictionally to provide telepsychological services ethically and legally to patients. The presentation will explore the obstacles to interjurisdictional telepsychology practice and offer solutions for ethical and legal interjurisdictional practice and provide a discussion of ASPPB's E.Passport and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, PSYPACT. 

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to list obstacles to providing interjurisdictional telepsychological services to patients.

2. Participants will be able to describe what PSYPACT is and the benefits of using PSYPACT to provide ethical and legal interjurisdictional services to patients.

1. Participants will be able to describe what E.Passport and IPC are and how psychologists can obtain them.

The prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) are rising quickly, and these diagnoses are associated with depression, anxiety, apathy, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In addition to many individuals living with PD and LBD seeking psychological evaluation and support, family caregivers of loved ones with PD and LBD face higher strain, burden, and depression than caregivers in other conditions. Caregiver strain has been identified as an independent risk factor for morbidity, institutionalization, and mortality in people with PD and LBD, yet few interventions have focused on this population. In this session, we will explore the diagnoses and symptoms of PD and LBD, and the challenges faced by family caregivers. We will examine emerging research findings on contributions to caregiver strain in this population, including social support, loneliness, and sleep dysfunction. Next, we will explore the psychological theories of behavior change that provided a conceptual framework for building and piloting a PD and LBD family caregiver intervention. We will discuss the initial research findings of a peer mentor-supported, disease-specific educational intervention for PD and LBD family care partners, including both quantitative and qualitative findings. Using the NIH model of behavioral interventions, we will frame the path from the pilot work, to community-based participatory research and user-centered design approaches, to ongoing research opportunities for care partners who may be seen by members of the audience. We will address the critical need to screen for and address safety concerns, particularly in the context of peer-to-peer support interventions. Finally, we will consider future directions in this growing population of patients and care partners, and the potential adaptations for additional populations. 

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to explain the differences in caregiver strain and health outcomes between Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia family care partners vs. those of Alzheimer’s Disease care partners, and identify potential contributing factors. 

2. Attendees will be able to identify applicable theories of behavior change and psychological support needs influencing the success of peer-supported educational interventions among family care partners.

The IPA Ethics Committee will discuss ethical dimensions of AI in various domains of professional practice, such as assessment, therapy, record keeping, the influence of social media, training settings, and diminishing trust in professional expertise.  Case vignettes will be utilized to highlight guidelines for prudent practice when using AI.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to appraise effective strategies and best practices relevant to integrating AI into professional practice.

2. Attendees will be able to evaluate constructive responses to clients whose views or behaviors are influenced by information obtained via social media.

3. Attendees will be able to apply a systematic process of ethical decision-making when utilizing artificial intelligence in professional practice.

45 Minutes

Chronic pain (CP) is a pervasive and complex condition, impacting not only physical health but also mental well-being and cognitive function. The discourse surrounding chronic pain has significantly changed in recent years, increasingly considering that pain cannot be objectively measured by severity and instead combining pain intensity with the level of functional limitation or disability caused by pain as a more accurate metric. Moreover, the International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision put into effect in 2022 significantly changed CP diagnosis, with more etiology-based categories, and overarching diagnoses for multi-site pain or pain without an identifiable origin. Some recent theoretical approaches have even considered CP as a neurodegenerative cognitive disorder due to its significant consumption of attentional resources and cognitive load. Despite chronic pain's various implications, research has predominantly focused on specific CP conditions and older adult populations, leaving a notable gap in understanding how CP affects adults aged 18-65, particularly those experiencing multi-site or undiagnosed chronic pain conditions. Given the growing prevalence of chronic pain and its associated cognitive, emotional, and functional challenges, this gap is critical to address and can inform treatment and intervention strategies.

60 Minutes:

'Mirror Reflections: A Reimagining of Self Through Art and Image' is a 60-minute educational workshop designed to help  mental health professionals integrate two research-supported art therapy techniques into the treatment of eating disorders (EDs). While cognitive behavioral and family-systems therapies remain foundational, many clients continue to struggle with body dissatisfaction, emotional avoidance, and fragmented self-perception even after significant behavioral improvements (Steiner, Warth, & Dürk, 2024). Creative art therapies offer a valuable, non-verbal way to address deeper issues, but many clinicians may lack the knowledge to implement these methods effectively. This workshop addresses that gap by offering practical, evidence-based interventions that clinicians can implement immediately. Recent research highlights that expressive art activities can enhance emotional regulation, support body image development, and support alleviating eating disorder symptoms among individuals in recovery (Anstee & Davis, 2025; Macchioni, La Ferla, & Luzzatto, 2025). Participants will be introduced to two accessible techniques: a guided visualization exercise to help regulate physiological arousal and foster emotional imagery, followed by a symbolic self-portrait activity where clients can externalize and then reframe internalized body beliefs. 
 

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to identify effective strategies for engaging with local legislators to address challenges and advocate for the interests of psychological practice.

2. Attendees will be able to articulate the benefits of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials to advance the profession and patient care.

3. Attendees will be able to formulate a personal action plan for active participation in future IPA legislative initiatives and advocacy events.

More than 50% of the population will experience menopause and, yet, many psychologists have little to no training about this life stage and little is known about how therapists address menopause in the therapy room. A 2023 study by Allen and colleagues noted that, even among gynecological residents, less than one-third had training related to menopause. Only about one-fifth of counseling psychology programs cover sexual development in midlife (Mollen, Burnes, Lee, & Abbott, 2020), and there is- as of yet- no published data on what is covered in clinical psychology programs.

Research on menopause has most often been framed in a deficit model– focusing on decline and negative physical and psychological symptoms, the financial implications of lost work, and stigma. While the experience of menopause is indeed associated with symptoms and stigma (Davis et al, 2023), there are also benefits to this natural phase of life. Perhaps some of the deficit model frame stems from research being done about people who experience menopause as opposed to with people who experience menopause. Fortunately, more recent research has examined menopause from the point of view of those who have experienced it, introducing an important participatory research focus (e.g. Cronin et al., 2025)

In this panel discussion, we will explore the experience of menopause from multiple angles in order to address this gap in training and develop ways we might frame and research it. We will begin with a definition of menopause and review common physical and mental health changes, discuss available literature on various aspects of menopause (e.g., attitudes, stigma, mental health providers’ training related to menopause), address systemic factors related to the experience of menopause, and focus on the often ignored benefits and positive aspects of the menopausal transition and post-menopausal life. 

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to define the stages of the menopausal transition and identify common physical and psychological changes associated with it.

2. Attendees will be able to explain the intersection of systemic factors and stress on the experience of menopause.

3. Attendees will be able to evaluate common stigmas and biases associated with menopause and  articulate the benefits of post-menopausal life.

4. Attendees will be able to develop an appreciation for the experience of menopause and the importance of discussing this experience with their patients.