Thursday Program

Product Theater Breakfast | No Contact Hours Provided

7:15AM-8:45AM Mountain

Sponsored by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

President’s Address | 1 Contact Hour
9:00AM – 10:00AM Mountain
8:00AM PT | 11:00AM ET

Building on Strengths: A Resiliency Journey to Improve Wellness & Advance Care RN APRN 

Join Allyson to explore resilience as a science-backed practice, discover how shifting from trauma-informed to resilience-informed can strengthen the care you provide, and examine how to cultivate resilient communities and systems. You’ll leave with practical strategies, renewed purpose, and a fresh vision for supporting your own well-being while advancing the care you provide.

Presenter: Allyson Matney Neal, DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, PNP
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

Poster Presentations Open | Up to 4 Contact Hours
10:00AM – 6:30PM Mountain

Earn up to 4 contact hours for time spent viewing and evaluating the poster presentations Thursday – Friday.
Posters also available in the online gallery.

Impact Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours 

10:15AM – 11:00AM Mountain

9:15AM PT | 12:15AM ET

2011: Quality Improvement
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

A Resiliency Journey in Behavioral Health: Achieving Excellence Through a Nursing Operations Specialist Model RN

This presentation demonstrates how the NOS model promotes resiliency and excellence through targeted education, real-time oversight, and data-driven strategies that strengthen quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance while creating a sustainable foundation for nursing practice.

Presenters: Maribeth Desuyo, MHA, MSN, RN, PMH-BC; Karteek Yerneni, BSN, RN, PMH-BC

2012: Child & Adolescent
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

From Dysregulation to Intervention: Treating Irritability and Aggression in Children RN APRN

This presentation describes holistic therapeutic and psychotropic approaches to treating children with significant behavioral problems that include anger or aggression. Participants will gain an understanding of these symptoms, criteria used for diagnosis, and effective treatment modalities.

Presenters: Jennifer Schneider, PhD, PMHNP-BC; Charolette Collins, DNP, PMHNP-BC

2013: Depression & Suicidality 
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

Difficult to Treat Depression APRN

When depression does not remit, patients experience prolonged suffering and clinicians face therapeutic uncertainty. This session offers PMH-APRNs practical, evidence-informed strategies to optimize care and improve outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression.

Presenters: Amy Berg, DNP, PMHNP-BC; Carol Kottwitz, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, FNAP
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2014: Addictions
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

Restore: Integrating Lifestyle Psychiatry for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults RN APRN

This interactive, evidence-based presentation provides an in-depth exploration of lifestyle psychiatry through the RESTORE framework. Participants will examine current evidence, discuss application and practical strategies for integrating lifestyle psychiatry into practice.

Presenter: Jeanette Green, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CPNP-PC, PMHS

2015: Substance
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

Fellowship as Therapy: Mapping the Mutual Support Groups with Evidence-Based Therapies RN APRN

SUDs are common, and 12-step programs represent an effective treatment option, but they remain underutilized, partially due to the limited knowledge of the providers. This presentation aims to fill this gap by mapping the 12 steps to EBP therapies (DBT, CBT, and others) to help improve SUD outcomes

Presenter: Krystyna de Jacq, PhD, PMHNP-BC

2016: Education
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

Building on Spiritual Care Pedagogy: A Journey to Improve Education and Advance Holistic Care RN APRN

This presentation reviews current trends and research findings related to spiritual care pedagogy, describes the process of developing a new spiritual care skills and attitude scale for nursing students, shares evidence-based spiritual care teaching strategies, and aligns them to the New Essentials.

Presenters: Melissa Neathery, PhD, RN, CNE; Traci Sims, DNS, RN, CNS/PMH-BC; Brandon Thatcher, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

2017: Inpatient Safety
10:15am – 11:00am Mountain

From Surveillance to Stewardship: Reducing Enhanced Observation While Balancing Patient Safety, Dignity, and Responsible Use of Resources RN APRN

Enhanced observation is frequently overused in psychiatric settings due to culture and operational comfort. This session presents a leadership-driven model that reduced utilization from 11% to 8% of census, decreased sitter costs, and strengthened trauma-informed, least restrictive practices.

Presenters: Charles Bryant, DNP, RN, NEA-BC; Marc Woods, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC; John K Hensley, BSN; Haley Ratliff, BSN, RN
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

Impact Sessions |  0.75 Contact Hours

11:15AM – 12:00PM Mountain

10:15AM PT | 1:15PM ET

2021: Quality Improvement
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Enhancing Monitoring, Behavioral Response, and Care Efficiency (EMBRACE): A Quality Improvement Project RN APRN

This interactive presentation describes EMBRACE, a PMH nursing–led quality project that integrates therapeutic engagement and workflow efficiency into continuous observation, sharing unit data, practical tools, and lessons learned for transforming required safety measures into recovery-oriented care.

Presenters: Eduardo II A. Kabristante, Phd, MSN, RN, CRRN, PMH-BC; Gero-BC Emily A. Jazdzewski, MAN, RN; Ashley M. Proebstle, MSN, RN

2022: Child & Adolescent
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Enhancing Family Digital Media Education Through an Adolescent Screen Exposure Scale in Outpatient Psychiatry APRN

Digital media is shaping youth mental health, but are we assessing it effectively? Discover how a practical screening tool transforms digital media conversations into structured assessment and meaningful, family-centered interventions in outpatient psychiatry.

Presenters: Sydney Halliday, DNP, PMHNP-BC; Vanessa Bose, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Kwasi Minta, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2023: Depression & Suicidality
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Strength in Stimulation: Advancing Wellness Through rTMS as an Innovative Treatment for Depression RN

Discover rTMS an innovative approach to recovery in depression care. Gain practical insights on evidence, program implementation wins, and how PMH nurses with the multidisciplinary team drive neuromodulation forward, expanding access to innovative, effective treatment in acute settings

Presenters: Kateleen Collins, RN, BSN; Natalie Ramirez, BSN, RN, PMH-BC; Kenneth Pierce, Lead Mental Health Technician
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2024: Addictions
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Feasibility and Acceptability of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for OUD Recovery RN APRN

This presentation examines a 3-week heart rate variability biofeedback intervention for individuals with opioid use disorder in residential treatment. Findings on stress, affect, craving, and drug refusal self-efficacy will be presented, highlighting neuroscience-informed implications for practice.

Presenters: Lakshmi Nair, RN, MS, PMHNP-BC, PhD Candidate

2025: Substance Use
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

From AMA to Engagement: A Strengths-Based, Multidisciplinary Strategy to Improve Detox Retention RN APRN

Learn how a nurse-led, multidisciplinary engagement model reduced AMA discharges in an inpatient detox unit. Practical tools, outcome data, and team-based strategies will be shared to help PMH nurses improve retention, resilience, and recovery outcomes.
Presenters: Jacqueline Ross, MSN, RN, CARN, PMH-BC. NEA-BC; Michelle A Murphy, LCSW, MSW

2026: Education
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Neuroscience Meets Narrative: Rapid Symptom Change Through Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) RN APRN

This session examines Regenerating Images in Memory as a brief, imagery-based intervention for nursing students experiencing stress. Outcome data and EEG findings are reviewed within a neurocognitive framework, with discussion of rapid, nonpharmacologic applications for PMH practice and education.

Presenters: Laurra Aagaard, MA, MS; Paul F Cook, PhD; Deborah L. Sandella, PhD, MSN

2027: Safety
11:15am – 12:00pm Mountain

Positive Reinforcement, Powerful Results: Adapting a School-Based PBIS Model to Reduce Restraint and Seclusion in Pediatric Inpatient Psychiatry RN

This session highlights how nurses used positive reinforcement on a pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit to reduce restraint and seclusion through clear expectations and visible, labeled praise. Attendees will see what was implemented, how it worked, and what can be adapted to their own settings.

Presenters: Mary Eliseo, RN, MSN, PMH-BC; Joseph Martin, RN, MSN, PMH-BC

Product Theater Lunch | No Contact Hours Provided
12:10PM-1:40PM Mountain

Sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Exhibit Hall Open
1:30PM – 5:00PM Mountain

See the latest innovations and opportunities from industry stakeholders in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Impact Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours

3:30PM – 4:15PM Mountain

2:30PM PT | 5:30PM ET

2031: Emergency Departments
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

Standardizing Emergency Department Communication to Improve Interdepartmental Collaboration and Decrease Behavioral Health Boarding Time RN

This informative, engaging presentation tackles the behavioral health boarding crisis, reviewing how a standardized communication tool at one hospital impacted interprofessional collaboration between emergency department and inpatient psychiatry RNs, without negatively impacting boarding times.

Presenters: Megan LaPlante, BSN, RN; Joseph Rising, BSN, RN

2032: Child & Adolescent
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

Digital Disruption: A Secondary Analysis Examining the Dynamics of Problematic Media Use and Depression in Children and Adolescents RN APRN

This session unpacks bidirectional links between problematic media use and depressive symptoms across adolescence using longitudinal ABCD data. We’ll explore sex differences, developmental timing, and what this means for prevention and PMH-APRN practice—with data, clarity, and real-world relevance.

Presenter: Katelin Crane, PhD, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, RN

2033: Special Populations
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

Mission-Ready to Maladaptive: Impact of Allostatic Load on Veteran Mental Health RN APRN

This session presents a protocol for identifying veteran status and screening for “operator syndrome.” Recognizing operator syndrome using allostatic load frameworks and integrated mental and physical health assessments to enable early intervention.

Presenters: Brenda Mayfield, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP-BC; Diana Kathryn Cerice, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2034: Artificial Intelligence
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

A Telehealth and AI Scribe Simulation Supports Future PMH-APRN Practice RN APRN

This presentation introduces an immersive pedagogical method in which PMH-APRN students developed a recorded telehealth simulation using telehealth competencies and an AI-scribe generated SOAP note to demonstrate PMH-APRN competencies and ethical, legal virtual mental health care of a complex patient.

Presenter: Amanda Culp-Roche, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

2035: Substance Use
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

Harm Reduction in Practice: Evidence-Based Education for Substance Use Care RN APRN

This presentation explores evidence-based harm reduction strategies for substance use care, addressing provider knowledge gaps, stigma, and implementation barriers. Using real-world examples, it highlights practical tools to improve patient engagement, safety, and outcomes across clinical settings.

Presenter: Kayla Strother, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, CARN-AP

2036: Nursing Professional Development
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

Flag It. Plan It. Prevent It. A Systems Approach to Behavioral Risk in Acute Care When Warning Signs Matter RN

A multidisciplinary Behavioral Alert Committee model using a modified aggression screening tool to identify high-risk behaviors, including sexually disturbing conduct toward staff. Learn how structured review and consensus voting promote equity and strengthen workplace violence prevention.

Presenters: Jennifer Gonzales, BSN; Cathy Lynn Parker, MSN, APRN, FNP, PMHNP; Thanh Nguyen, PA-C; Stephenie Bowen, PA-C

2037: Complementary & Alternative Therapies
3:30pm – 4:15pm Mountain

The Skeptic’s Journey: Bridging the Gap Between Evidence-Based Care and CAM for Resilient Outcomes RN APRN

Bridging the gap between evidence-based care and complementary and alternative medicines requires healthy skepticism. Master a framework to evaluate alt therapies, mitigate risks, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance. We will turn critical inquiry into a tool for resilient wellness.

Presenter: Lee Moore, DNP, MEd, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CNE
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

Impact Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours

4:30PM – 5:15PM Mountain

3:30PM PT | 6:30PM ET

2041: Emergency Departments
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Beyond the Waiting Room: Revolutionizing Pediatric Behavioral Health Boarding in the ED RN

Explore a nurse-led model transforming pediatric psychiatric ED boarding. This session outlines a scalable Behavioral Health Hold framework that transitions patients to inpatient space while maintaining ED status—reducing LOS, improving safety oversight, and enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Presenter: Emily Park, RN BSN, PEDS-BC, CPEN

2042: Child & Adolescent
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse Role with Pediatric and Adolescent Population APRN

This presentation will describe the percentage of time reported by PMH-APRNs that is spent providing care to pediatric and adolescent patients, the types of settings they work in, the services being provided, and will include discussion around the barriers to expanding care for this population.

Presenters: Heidi McNeely, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC, NEA-BC; Scott Meskimen, MSN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

2043: Special Populations
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Sleep as a Cornerstone of Trauma-informed Psychiatric–mental Health Treatment RN APRN

Explore sleep as a cornerstone of trauma-informed care. This session reviews the neurobiology of trauma-induced sleep disturbance and uses case studies to demonstrate how evidence-based sleep interventions, like CBT-I, improve hyperarousal, treatment engagement, and overall recovery outcomes.

Presenter: Jennifer Jimenez, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2044: Artificial Intelligence  
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Leading Algorithmic Justice in Mental Health: A Nursing Framework for Ethical AI RN APRN

AI-driven mental health tools are rapidly entering psychiatric care, yet clinicians receive little guidance on evaluating ethical risks. This session introduces a nursing framework to help PMH nurses recognize algorithmic bias and assess digital mental health tools.

Presenter: Claire Pettengill, RN, MSN
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2045: Substance Use
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Safe and Effective Prescribing for Patients with Substance Use Disorders: When “no” Is Not the Answer APRN

This presentation addresses safe psychiatric prescribing in patients with active substance use disorders. Participants will gain practical, guideline-informed strategies to support concurrent treatment, reduce stigma, and strengthen recovery-oriented care.

Presenter: Vanessa Loukas, FNP-C, MSN, CARN-AP
May be eligible for pharmacology contact hours.

2046: Nursing Professional Development
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Help! I’ve Been Named in a Lawsuit… Tales from a Nurse Expert Witness to Safeguard Your Practice from Both the Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives RN APRN

This interactive 2-part workshop provides data regarding increases in malpractice lawsuits against PMH RNs/APRNs in all practice settings. As an experienced plaintiff and defense expert witness, the presenter will share current malpractice cases, risk management strategies, deposition preparation.

Presenter: Mary Moller, PhD(h), DNP, MSN, APRN, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC, CPRP, FAAN

2047: Complementary & Alternative Therapy
4:30pm – 5:15pm Mountain

Experience the Power of Breath: Evidence-Based Practices for Resilience in Healthcare RN

This interactive session introduces breathing practices that reduce stress, support emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience in healthcare. Participants learn practical techniques for self-care and patient use, grounded in research on autonomic regulation, burnout, anxiety, and depression.

Presenter: Colleen Loehr, MD

Lightning Sessions | 0.75 Contact Hours

5:30PM – 6:20PM Mountain

4:30PM PT | 7:30PM ET

2051: Violence Prevention
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Examining the Evidence Base for Psychiatric Response Teams: A Scoping Review of Restraint Measures and Team Structures RN APRN

This scoping review examines the evidence base for Psychiatric Response Team (PRTs). Findings highlight gaps in team structure, restraint measurement, and patient outcomes. Participants will be empowered, through interactive discussion, to build and publish patient-centered outcomes of PRTs.

Presenter: Margaret Faucett, RN, MSN, BSN

From Risk to Readiness: In Situ Crisis Simulation RN

An interdisciplinary team of nursing, MHT, and security presents the development of behavioral health in-situ simulations, highlighting scenario design, real-event tailoring, and collaboration. Storytelling and case examples offer practical strategies for crisis-response training.

Presenters: Laykin Forthun, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, HNB-BC; Miguel Navarro, MHT, CPI CI; Daniel Fuentes, SO, CPI CI

2052: Child & Adolescent
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Lithium: A Lifeline—Reducing Suicidality in Adolescents RN APRN

Explore lithium’s history, evidence for reducing suicidality in bipolar disorder, and practical guidance for safely prescribing and monitoring lithium in adolescents.

Presenter: Erica Mann, MSN, PMHNP-BC
May be eligible for pharmacology contact hours.

Referring Teenagers to Mental Health Support Following a Study Detecting Suicidal Ideations RN APRN

This presentation introduces an online screening-to-service system for early identification and response to at-risk teenagers. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to implement similar mechanisms when conducting adolescent mental health research.

Presenter: Teresa Ng, BSN, RN

2053: Women’s Health
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Perinatal OCD: What It Is and What It Isn’t RN APRN

This presentation underscores the critical need for enhanced provider education, robust screening protocols, and heightened awareness of perinatal OCD as a distinct and clinically significant condition to mitigate risks posed to perinatal persons, newborns, and their families.

Presenter: Diane Greenberg, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, PMH-C
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

Trial & Error: How Significantly Does Low-Dose Aripiprazole Impact Lactation – Two Case Studies RN APRN

What is the true impact of low-dose aripiprazole on lactation? Two postpartum cases highlight practice gaps and apply reproductive psychiatry and shared decision-making frameworks to strengthen psychopharmacologic counseling in PMH nursing practice.

Presenter: Meghan Manangón, PMHNP-BC, IBCLC
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2054: Artificial Intelligence
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Teaching Scholarly Writing in Nursing: Responsible Use of AI for Peer Feedback RN APRN

This session shows how AI can enhance scholarly writing through sample papers, rubrics, and structured prompts. Participants learn an ethical, step-by-step workflow for drafting, revising, and peer review, with hands-on activities to apply AI responsibly in academic writing.

Presenters: Monica Boomgaarn, MSN, RN; Jacque Williams, MSN, RN, NC-BC

Beyond the Script: Branching AI Simulation to Enhance Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Education RN APRN

This presentation examines innovative approaches to close gaps in undergraduate readiness for PMH clinical objectives, highlighting a branching AI simulation that shows how emerging technology strengthens therapeutic communication, psychiatric safety assessment, and workforce readiness.

Presenters: Margaret Salzbrenner Hoopes, MSN, CPNP-AC, WCC; Amy Gulledge, PhD

2055: Addictions
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Advancing Psychiatric Nursing Care Through Assessments: Evaluating Nicotine and Cannabis Use Patterns on Cognitive Vulnerability RN APRN

This session presents findings on the impact of nicotine and cannabis co-use on metacognitive functioning and clinical insight among adults living with mental illness. Implications for PMHNs screening and managing substance use are discussed.

Presenter: Sarret Seng, RN, BSN, BA
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Standardized Buprenorphine Induction Protocol to Reduce Precipitated Withdrawal in Emergency Department Patients with Opioid Withdrawal APRN

Emergency departments frequently treat patients with opioid use disorder, yet concern for precipitated withdrawal often limits buprenorphine initiation. This presentation reviews evidence supporting standardized induction protocols that reduce withdrawal risk and improve treatment engagement.

Presenter: Marcus Boutte, RN
Also in Virtual Real-Time.

2056: Resilience
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Bee Connected and Joyful: From Hive to Thrive—Connection-Driven Resilience in Psychiatric Nursing Teams RN APRN

This presentation details the Bee Connected and Joyful initiative, an evidence-informed program addressing stress and burnout in psychiatric nursing. It showcases how relational, joyful activities enhance team connection, well-being, and resilience, offering a scalable model for nursing practice.

Presenters: Wendy Moore, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Mackenzie Moore, MSN, RN

Cultivating Holistic Resilience in Nursing: A Pilot Feasibility Study of a Five-Pillar Intervention RN APRN

This presentation reviews a pilot study evaluating a holistic resilience education intervention for nurses. By distinguishing resilience from grit & teaching five adaptive key pillars of resilience, the program aims to build resilience & support sustainable, trauma-informed nursing practice.

Presenters: Adam Mayfield, BSN, RN, PMH-BC; Kelly Greene Elrod, A.L.M.

2057: Trauma
5:30pm – 6:20pm Mountain

Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Yoga Program for Survivors RN

This presentation introduces Trauma-Informed Yoga as an intervention to reduce trauma symptoms by strengthening interoceptive awareness. Findings highlight how psychiatric nurses can integrate body-based, trauma-informed strategies to mitigate barriers and increase access to healing for survivors.

Presenter: Trish Gibbs, DNP, RN, CNE

Trauma-Informed Group Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A Novel Approach to Burnout Related to Secondary Traumatic Stress in Hospital-Based Nurses RN APRN

This presentation introduces a novel approach to improving burnout in hospital-based nurses as a result of secondary traumatic stress via the modification of mindfulness-based stress reduction interventions to be trauma-informed and applicable to group settings such as hospital unit nursing staff.

Presenter: Madison Farr, MBA, BSN, RN