
Symposium Breakfast | 1 Contact Hour
6:00AM – 7:30AM Eastern
More than Skin Deep: Examining the Full Impact of Tardive Dyskinesia
Sponsored by HMP Education
Presenter: Amber Hoberg, PMHNP-BC
Available to virtual livestream attendees.
Pre-Conference Sessions | 2 Contact Hours
8:00AM-10:00AM Eastern
7:00AM CT | 5:00AM PT
1011: Psychotherapy
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
Part 1 APN Secret Sauce Workshop: Combined Motivational Spirited Communication Skills & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Applied Motivational Interviewing Overview and Skills – APRN
Part 1 (MI): This dynamic and interactive presentation provides the opportunity to discuss blended skills with experiences in the use of MI to build engagement with CBT/avoid dropout. The participant will leave with a foundation to practice motivational-spirited interviewing to bridge patients to CBT therapy.
Presenters: Kathleen T. McCoy, DNSc, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP; Kimberly A. Williams, DNS, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, PHNS-BC

1012: Practice
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
Pediatric Bipolar: What We Know and How We Care for This Vulnerable Population – RN APRN
This presentation will encapsulate the most up-to-date information on the intricacies of assessing, diagnosing, and caring for those with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD). Participants will leave with increased confidence in differentiating and caring for PBD from other common pediatric psychiatric disorders and the best current evidence-based interventions.
Presenter: Daniel Wesemann, DNP, PMHNP-BC, ARNP
Available to virtual livestream attendees.
1013: Complementary & Alternative Therapy
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
Therapeutic Improvisation for Social Anxiety Disorder – RN APRN
This Interactive presentation with audience participation illustrates TI-based interventions to help reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder. A fun, accepting, and playful in-vivo exposure session. Participants will leave with TI skills to help clients collaborate, create, and build social confidence.
Presenter: Donna Lee Williams, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
1014: Graduate Education
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
LGBTQ+ 101 and Beyond, for the Mental Health Professional – RN APRN
This interactive program gives participants the essential skills they need to understand, work with, and keep safe patients who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Licensed providers will also receive the education needed for registration in a national directory of LGBTQIA-affirming providers.
Presenters: Edward A. Stern (he/him), MSN, PMHNP-BC
1015: Safety
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
Leadership Learning: Evaluating an Educational Program to Hospital Leadership on Staff Empowerment to Improve the Culture of Safety in a Psychiatric Hospital – RN APRN
Workplace violence is a significant concern in psychiatric nursing due to verbal and physical aggression, threats, intimidation, and harassment by patients. Patient outcomes, staff well-being, and attrition are impacted. Nurse leaders benefit from education on strategies to support staff empowerment, improve the culture of safety, and address workplace violence.
Presenter: Kristen Kichefski, MBA, DNP, RN, PMH-BC, NEA-BC
1016: Nursing Professional Development
8:00am – 10:00am Eastern
The Things We Carry —Trauma, Empathic Distress and Burnout. When Self-Care is Not Enough to Carry the Burden, Navigating A New Path of Courageous Well-being – RN APRN
This presentation combines theory, research, and experiential learning activities, illustrating the application of six essential components of psychological well-being (Ryff) crucial to the mental health of nurses, individually and collectively. Participants will receive literature to guide their own work as well as evidence-based practices and innovative strategies developed by the author.
Presenter: Donna A. Gaffney, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, FFAN

1017: Psychopharmacology
8:00am – 10:00pm Eastern
Is Your Cupboard Safe? Abuse of Over-the-Counter Medications & Supplements Psychopharmacology – RN APRN
This presentation will explore the history of over & behind-the-counter medications & supplements and the surprising frequency of misuse & abuse of these substances in this multi billion dollar business. We will also delve into some of the “novel” drugs of abuse such as: K2, Spice, Kratom and Flakka. The educational takeaways will be valuable to your patients & family regardless of practice setting.
Presenter: Laura G. Leahy, DrNP, APRN, PMH-CNS/FNP, CARN-AP, FAANP, FAAN
Available to virtual livestream attendees.
This session may be eligible for pharmacology contact hours.