You don’t want to miss this engaging conference kick off. Our Conference Co-Chairs will provide insight into what you can expect to gain out of attending the conference. Hear about all the great things Psych Congress PA Institute has in store and learn how to get the most out of your conference experience.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Jayson Gesulga, PA-C, MMS, CAQ-Psychiatry

This presentation is provided by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

The foundation of psychiatric care lies in understanding the neurochemical basis of mental illness. This session will provide an in-depth review of key neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA—and their roles in mood disorders, psychosis, and anxiety. Participants will also explore the neurobiological underpinnings of major psychiatric conditions, bridging the gap between theory and clinical application. Learn how emerging research on neural circuits and receptor dynamics is shaping the future of psychiatric treatment.

As the psychiatric PA role evolves, understanding how to effectively collaborate with psychiatrists while advocating for greater autonomy is essential. This interactive panel discussion will highlight strategies for strengthening PA-physician relationships, negotiating expanded responsibilities, and increasing clinical decision-making authority. Attendees will gain insights into state-level policy changes, successful collaborative models, and career growth opportunities for psychiatric PAs.

<p>Tardive dyskinesia (TD) remains a complex and often underdiagnosed movement disorder, particularly in patients with longstanding psychiatric conditions. This clinically focused session will equip psychiatry clinicians with practical tools to enhance TD screening, assessment, and ongoing monitoring—including the use of validated rating scales and telemedicine approaches. Attendees will refine their diagnostic skills by distinguishing TD from other movement disorders and review the latest clinical data on vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT-2) inhibitors. The session will also provide a comparative look at available VMAT-2 inhibitors, helping clinicians make informed treatment decisions tailored to the needs of patients with challenging or refractory presentations.<p><br>

<p>Supported by educational grants from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc.</p>

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Jayson Gesulga, PA-C, MMS, CAQ-Psychiatry

This presentation is provided by Johnson & Johnson.

<p>Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) offer a vital opportunity to improve treatment continuity and outcomes in schizophrenia, yet they remain underutilized in clinical practice. This unique, interactive session combines didactic learning with hands-on practice preparing, and administering LAIs, role-play simulations to improve motivational interviewing skills, and self-paced learning, all designed to enhance treatment and improve patient outcomes.<p><br>

<p>Supported by an educational grant from Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc.</p>

ADHD rarely exists in isolation—many patients also struggle with anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, or substance use disorders. This session will help PAs distinguish between ADHD and overlapping psychiatric conditions, ensuring accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. Attendees will also explore multimodal management strategies, including medication adjustments, behavioral therapies, and individualized care plans for patients with multiple coexisting disorders.

Join your peers in the Exhibit Hall to engage with mentors, recruiters, and future employers, and learn about available pharmaceuticals and devices for your practice. Visit the Psych Congress (#114), to register with an exclusive rate for 2026, learn more about our other Psych Congress events, and get your own custom pair of PAI Mickey ears (while supplies last) and visit our Ask the Experts Booth (#112) to meet with our esteemed faculty.

Dinner will be served. Seating is limited to 100 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenters:

Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C
Erin Crown, MHS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry

This presentation is provided by Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenters:

Kevin Williams, MS, MPAS, PA-C
Davitria, Patient Ambassador

This presentation is provided by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Treatment-resistant depression, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, and mixed states challenge even the most experienced psychiatric providers. This session will feature deep-dive case reviews, providing insight into next-line treatment options, medication combinations, and emerging interventions. Faculty will provide expert commentary on recent advances in mood disorder management, ensuring attendees leave with updated strategies for treating complex mood disorders.

MSLs serve as a vital link in the scientific communication chain between healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. Despite their wealth of expertise, PAs may be unfamiliar with the scope of support MSLs can provide. This session demystifies the MSL role and highlights how PAs can leverage these professionals to access the latest data, clinical trial insights, and therapeutic advancements. This session will also touch on the growing interest in the MSL role as an alternative career path for PAs seeking to apply their clinical expertise.

Join your peers in the Exhibit Hall to engage with mentors, recruiters, and future employers, and learn about available pharmaceuticals and devices for your practice. Visit the Psych Congress (#114), to register with an exclusive rate for 2026, learn more about our other Psych Congress events, and get your own custom pair of PAI Mickey ears (while supplies last) and visit our Ask the Experts Booth (#112) to meet with our esteemed faculty.

<p>For many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), first-line antidepressant therapy yields only partial relief. Timely recognition and strategic augmentation are required to achieve a better result. This session will guide clinicians through the identification of inadequate treatment responses and the critical decision points for initiating adjunctive therapy. Attendees will explore the mechanisms of action and latest clinical data on FDA-approved and emerging atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) used in combination treatment. Practical guidance will also be provided on selecting among adjunctive options and addressing real-world barriers to their effective implementation in psychiatric practice.<p><br>

<p>Supported by educational grants from Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.</p>

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Erin Crown, MHS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry

This presentation is provided by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Lundbeck.

Many psychiatric patients receive multiple medications to manage comorbid conditions, yet polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse effects, drug interactions, and nonadherence. This session will help PAs develop a critical approach to prescribing, teaching them how to identify unnecessary medications, streamline regimens, and use pharmacogenetics to guide personalized treatment. Gain confidence in knowing when to taper, switch, or combine medications for optimal therapeutic outcomes.

This case-based session explores how primary care and psychiatric PAs can identify medical conditions that present with psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety masking early COPD. Through real-world examples, attendees will examine how diagnostic overshadowing, incomplete histories, and fragmented care contribute to missed or delayed diagnoses. Faculty will share practical strategies to distinguish when to treat, when to refer, and how to collaborate across settings—including transitional care and telehealth. Participants will leave with actionable tools to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve outcomes, and deliver more integrated, patient-centered care.

Join the Steering Committee, attendees, and peers for the official Psych Congress PA Institute poster reception.

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Medical Affairs and Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Dinner will be served. Seating is limited to 100 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Erin Crown, MHS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry

This presentation is provided by Bristol Myers Squibb

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C

This presentation is provided by Johnson & Johnson.

While PAs may not always serve as primary therapists, integrating psychotherapy techniques into routine care can significantly enhance patient outcomes. This interactive session will provide an overview of CBT principles, including cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation, while also introducing motivational interviewing (MI) strategies to improve patient engagement. Attendees will learn practical techniques to apply in medication management visits, crisis interventions, and chronic illness management.

<p>Bipolar disorder (BD) presents complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, especially with evolving definitions and the increasing recognition of mixed features. This session will review the clinical impact of changes across DSM editions, helping clinicians more accurately identify BD-I, BD-II, MDD, and related mood disorders in line with current guidelines. Attendees will examine the limitations of traditional treatment approaches and explore the mechanisms, indications, and latest data on emerging therapies for bipolar depression, mania, and mixed states. Practical strategies for personalized care planning, treatment monitoring, and shared decision-making will also be discussed to support improved outcomes for patients across the bipolar spectrum.<p><br>

<p>Supported by an educational grant from Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.</p>

Lifestyle factors—sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management—play a critical role in psychiatric health but are often overlooked in clinical practice. This session will provide concise, evidence-based strategies for integrating lifestyle psychiatry into patient care, emphasizing how behavioral modifications can enhance treatment outcomes for depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Faculty will present rapid-fire expert insights on sleep optimization, dietary interventions, and structured physical activity plans that can complement pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches. Attendees will leave with immediately applicable strategies for improving patient well-being through lifestyle interventions.

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 150 attendees and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a seat. No CE credits are offered at these programs.

Presenter:

Desiree Matthews, PMHNP-BC

This presentation is provided by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

Psychiatric emergencies—ranging from acute suicidality to violent agitation—require rapid, decisive action. This session will feature real-world case discussions, guiding attendees through the critical steps of crisis assessment, de-escalation, and appropriate care transitions. Faculty will conduct a live role-play demonstration of verbal de-escalation techniques, equipping PAs with the skills to handle psychiatric crises in diverse practice settings, including primary care, emergency rooms, and psychiatric facilities.

From AI-assisted documentation and clinical decision support to patient-facing mental health chatbots and AI-driven therapy apps, generative AI is rapidly becoming a part of psychiatric care. This session will explore practical ways PAs can integrate AI into their workflow, including automating charting, improving diagnostic accuracy, and streamlining administrative tasks. Faculty will also examine the rise of AI-powered mental health tools for patients, such as CBT chatbots, symptom trackers, and digital therapy assistants, discussing their benefits, risks, and how to guide patients in using them effectively. Attendees will gain real-world strategies for balancing AI-driven efficiency with ethical considerations and maintaining trust in patient interactions. A live discussion will address common questions and concerns, ensuring clinicians feel confident in leveraging AI while keeping patient-centered care at the forefront.

This highly interactive closing session will feature live Q&A with leading psychiatric PAs, providing attendees the opportunity to ask burning questions about career advancement, job opportunities, and leadership pathways. Faculty will share success stories of PAs who have carved out influential roles in psychiatry, providing actionable tips on transitioning into the specialty, negotiating contracts, and advocating for increased PA representation in mental health policy and research.