Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

2027 Sessions

Opening Session: Fundamental Insights into Neurobiology: From Brain Circuits to Better Patient Care

A strong understanding of neurobiology provides the foundation for thoughtful psychiatric assessment and treatment. This session examines the complex interplay among neurotransmitter systems, neural circuits, brain networks, and neuroplasticity that contributes to psychiatric symptoms and disorders. Faculty will connect foundational neuroscience with current advances in the field, translating complex concepts into clinically relevant insights that strengthen diagnostic reasoning, treatment selection, and psychopharmacologic decision-making.

Speaker

Saturday, April 10 9:20–10:50 AM
Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

Beyond the Hype: Psychedelics and the Future of Psychiatric Practice

Psychedelic therapies are generating significant attention as potential treatments for psychiatric conditions, but what does the evidence actually show? This session examines the emerging science surrounding psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelic therapies, including potential applications in depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Faculty will explore current evidence, safety and patient selection, therapeutic support, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Participants will leave better prepared to separate evidence from hype, respond to patient questions, and understand how these emerging therapies may shape the future of psychiatric practice.

Speaker

Monday, April 12 4:40–5:40 PM
Faculty

Saundra Jain

MA, PsyD, LPC
Adjunct Clinical Affiliate, University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing;
Private Practice, Austin, Texas

Saundra Jain, MA, PsyD, LPC, is an Adjunct Clinical Affiliate in the School of Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin and a psychotherapist in private practice. Dr. Jain is a co-creator of WILD 5 – A Proven Path to Wellness and co-author of The Science and Practice of Wellness: Interventions for Happiness, Enthusiasm, Resilience, and Optimism (HERO). She is the co-creator of the Psychedelics and Wellness Survey (PAWS), exploring the intersection between psychedelics and wellness. She is the co-host of the newly launched podcast Happy Human 3.0, which explores how modern humans can move beyond merely surviving 21st-century stressors and begin to flourish by integrating neuroscience, positive psychiatry, and compassionate, human-centered care.

In addition, Dr. Jain serves on the Psych Congress Steering Committee, helping guide educational priorities and identify emerging needs in mental health practice. She also teaches with Fluence Training, a leading provider of psychedelic education for mental health professionals, where she serves as faculty in their certification programs in Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

From Evidence to Practice: Practical Considerations for Clinical Judgment and Challenging Conversations - Q&A Panel

This closing Q&A panel brings NP Institute faculty together to explore how emerging evidence, clinical experience, and patient preferences inform everyday decision-making in psychiatric practice. Through moderated discussion and audience questions, panelists will share practical approaches to navigating clinical uncertainty, recognizing when to seek consultation, and addressing challenging conversations about diagnoses, medications, and treatment expectations. Faculty will discuss communication, shared decision-making, and boundary-setting strategies that preserve the therapeutic relationship while supporting evidence-based care and patient safety. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen clinical judgment and translate key takeaways from the meeting into practice.

Speaker

Tuesday, April 13 3:00–4:00 PM
Co-Chair

Julie Carbray

PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing
University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Carbray holds her PhD (93) and Master of Science (88) degrees from Rush University, Chicago and her Bachelor of Science (87) degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing at the University of Illinois Chicago, she has been practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner over 35 years. As UIC faculty, Dr. Carbray teaches course content in psychopharmacology, mood disorders, and development and therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents for students across various multidisciplinary programs. As the Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorder Clinic, Dr. Carbray leads the clinical program and multidisciplinary training and is a nationally recognized clinical expert in children and adolescents with mood disorders. Dr. Carbray holds a national reputation of excellence in serving families of children with mood disorders, and was recognized with the UIC Preceptor of the year award, the Karen Gousman Excellence in Nursing Award, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Best Practices in an Outpatient Program for Bipolar Disorder Award, the UIC Inspire Award, the APNA Distinguished Service Award and the Susan McCabe psychopharmacology lectureship from the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Dr Carbray has presented her work nationally and internationally and across communities and organizations including the American Girl Company. With a particular focus on helping families to help their children with mood disorders, Dr. Carbray has engaged in programs of research that are investigating the psychopharmacology of mood disorders, neurobiology of mood disorders, and neurobiologically informed treatments and family response to childhood mood disorders.

Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

Co-Chair

Chelsie Monroe

MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Founder
Balanced Mental Wellness

Chelsie Monroe is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of a group private practice, Balanced Mental Wellness in Littleton, Colorado where she serves as medical director. She has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric emergency services, forensics, community mental health, and private practice settings. She specializes in complex trauma, forensics, addiction, and severe mental illnesses, and has special interest in psychedelic assisted therapies and entrepreneurial APN roles. Chelsie is board certified in Integrative Psychiatry, and is an expert in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP). She is trained as a psychotherapist and believes the relationship is the key to being an excellent clinician.

Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

NP Institute 2027 Final Thoughts (Non-Accredited)

Speaker

Tuesday, April 13 4:00–4:10 PM
Co-Chair

Julie Carbray

PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing
University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Carbray holds her PhD (93) and Master of Science (88) degrees from Rush University, Chicago and her Bachelor of Science (87) degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing at the University of Illinois Chicago, she has been practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner over 35 years. As UIC faculty, Dr. Carbray teaches course content in psychopharmacology, mood disorders, and development and therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents for students across various multidisciplinary programs. As the Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorder Clinic, Dr. Carbray leads the clinical program and multidisciplinary training and is a nationally recognized clinical expert in children and adolescents with mood disorders. Dr. Carbray holds a national reputation of excellence in serving families of children with mood disorders, and was recognized with the UIC Preceptor of the year award, the Karen Gousman Excellence in Nursing Award, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Best Practices in an Outpatient Program for Bipolar Disorder Award, the UIC Inspire Award, the APNA Distinguished Service Award and the Susan McCabe psychopharmacology lectureship from the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Dr Carbray has presented her work nationally and internationally and across communities and organizations including the American Girl Company. With a particular focus on helping families to help their children with mood disorders, Dr. Carbray has engaged in programs of research that are investigating the psychopharmacology of mood disorders, neurobiology of mood disorders, and neurobiologically informed treatments and family response to childhood mood disorders.

Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

Co-Chair

Chelsie Monroe

MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Founder
Balanced Mental Wellness

Chelsie Monroe is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of a group private practice, Balanced Mental Wellness in Littleton, Colorado where she serves as medical director. She has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric emergency services, forensics, community mental health, and private practice settings. She specializes in complex trauma, forensics, addiction, and severe mental illnesses, and has special interest in psychedelic assisted therapies and entrepreneurial APN roles. Chelsie is board certified in Integrative Psychiatry, and is an expert in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP). She is trained as a psychotherapist and believes the relationship is the key to being an excellent clinician.

Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

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