Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

*Additional fees apply and pre-registration is required.*

This year’s Advanced Psychopharmacology Preconference is designed as a clinically grounded primer for the modern psychiatric clinician, focusing on emerging neurobiologic targets, metabolic pathways, and treatment strategies that are increasingly shaping real-world psychopharmacologic practice. As the field continues to expand beyond traditional monoaminergic models, clinicians must understand not only what new treatments exist but how novel systems are being leveraged to improve psychiatric outcomes.

Through four focused, expert-led sessions, this preconference will review foundational mechanisms, emerging evidence, and practical prescribing considerations for several rapidly evolving areas of psychopharmacology. Sessions will examine orexin pathways, glutamatergic and dopaminergic circuits, muscarinic receptor modulation, and bioenergetic and GLP-1–related pathways. Emphasis will be placed on translating neuroscience and systems-level biology into clinical decision-making, helping attendees build a strong conceptual framework that will support deeper learning throughout the remainder of the Psych Congress program.
Each session will include time for interactive discussion and clinical Q&A, ensuring attendees leave confident and prepared to integrate these concepts into patient care.

Topics to Be Covered
1. Orexin-Based Emergent Treatments: New Targets for Wakefulness, Mood, & Attention - David T. Plante, MD, PhD
A primer on orexin neurobiology and its role in regulating arousal, sleep–wake balance, and emotional processing. This session will review mechanisms of action, emerging clinical applications, safety considerations, and how orexin-based treatments may fit into evolving psychiatric treatment strategies

2. Glutamate and Dopamine Brain Circuits: Novel Approaches for Mood, Anhedonia, and Wellness - Brittany Albright, MD and Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH
An introduction to treatments targeting glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems beyond traditional models. Attendees will explore foundational mechanisms, the neurobiology of reward and motivation, and the role of these pathways in symptoms such as anhedonia. This session will also review emerging clinical applications in mood and psychotic disorders and how circuit-level approaches are informing next-generation pharmacologic interventions.

3. Targeting Muscarinic Systems: Redefining Psychosis and Beyond - Jonathan M. Meyer, MD
An overview of muscarinic receptor pharmacology and its expanding role in psychiatric treatment. This session will review the science behind muscarinic-based agents, emerging clinical data, tolerability considerations, and how these therapies may reshape future treatment paradigms.

4. GLP-1 Mechanisms and Bioenergetics: From Metabolism to Mood and Addictions - Brittany Albright, MD, MPH and Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH
A foundational review of bioenergetic principles and GLP-1–based treatments, examining how metabolic signaling intersects with brain function and psychiatric symptoms. This session will address mechanisms of action, clinical relevance, and practical considerations as these agents increasingly enter psychiatric conversations.

*Additional fees apply and pre-registration is required.*

This year’s Integrative Psychiatry Preconference is designed as a clinically grounded primer for the modern psychiatric clinician, focusing on evidence-based integrative strategies that complement and enhance contemporary psychopharmacologic care. As psychiatric treatment increasingly moves toward whole-person models, clinicians must understand not only how medications work, but how nutrition, metabolism, sleep, and physiologic regulation can be strategically integrated to optimize mental health outcomes.

Through four focused, expert-led sessions, this preconference will review foundational mechanisms, emerging evidence, and practical clinical considerations across core domains of integrative psychiatry. Sessions will examine nutritional psychiatry, metabolic approaches to mood and energy regulation, sleep optimization as a foundational treatment target, and temperature-based interventions that influence stress physiology and emotional resilience. Emphasis will be placed on translating integrative science into real-world clinical decision-making, helping attendees build a cohesive framework that aligns with and strengthens standard psychiatric treatment.

Each session will include time for interactive discussion and clinical Q&A, ensuring attendees leave confident and prepared to thoughtfully incorporate integrative strategies into patient care.

Topics to Be Covered
1. Temperature-Based Interventions: Thermoregulatory Influences on Mood and Mental Health - Charles L. Raison, MD
An introduction of temperature-based approaches and their relevance to psychiatric care. This session will examine how controlled heat and cold exposures influence stress physiology, mood regulation, and emotional resilience, along with emerging evidence and practical considerations for integrating thermoregulatory strategies into integrative psychiatric treatment.

2. Metabolic Regulation and Brain Function: Pathways Linking Energy Balance and Mood - Speaker to be Announced
A focused overview of how metabolic processes and diet patterns influence brain function and psychiatric outcomes. This session will explore mechanisms linking energy metabolism, nutritional states such as ketosis, neuronal resilience, and mood regulation, along with emerging clinical evidence and considerations for integrating metabolic strategies into comprehensive psychiatric care.

3. Nutritional Influences in Psychiatry: Biological Mechanisms and Clinical Implications - James Greenblatt, MD
A summary of how nutrition and micronutrient status influence brain function, mood regulation, and psychiatric outcomes. This session will explore the role of specific nutrients and dietary patterns in supporting neurotransmitter synthesis, neuronal resilience, and emotional well-being, along with evidence-based guidance for integrating nutritional strategies into comprehensive psychiatric care.

4. Sleep Optimization in Psychiatry: Mechanisms, Health Impact, and Clinical Integration - Ashley E. Mason, PhD
This presentation will review common sleep myths, the definition of clinical insomnia, and provide an overview of four high-impact, evidence-based, low- and no-cost, rapid strategies that can be integrated within psychiatric care to improve sleep. 

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Join us to kick off Psych Congress 2026 by setting the tone for a gathering rooted in connection, collaboration, and shared purpose. In a time of rapid scientific advancement and growing clinical demands, the strength of our professional community remains one of our most powerful resources. This session will explore how collective learning, interdisciplinary partnership, and human connection drive better outcomes for patients and more sustainable careers for clinicians. As we begin this year’s meeting, we come together not only to expand our knowledge but to strengthen the community that makes meaningful mental health care possible. More details to come shortly.

Lithium remains a cornerstone in mood disorder treatment, offering unparalleled efficacy for bipolar disorder and suicidality. Yet, its use requires precision in dosing, monitoring, and side effect management. This session will explore the latest insights into lithium’s mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, and best practices for clinical use. Faculty will also discuss strategies for maintaining adherence, mitigating toxicity risks, and navigating lithium use in special populations.

Depression in youth often presents atypically and progresses rapidly without timely intervention. This session reviews updated diagnostic frameworks, neurodevelopmental factors, and treatment innovations including rapid-acting agents and digital therapeutics. Faculty will discuss strategies for early detection in schools and primary care, family engagement, and risk mitigation. Participants will gain tools to identify depressive symptoms earlier, individualize pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches, and improve long-term outcomes.

Lifestyle factors play a meaningful role in psychiatric outcomes, yet they are often difficult to address in time-limited, medication-focused visits. This session offers practical guidance on integrating sleep, exercise, stress management, and social connection into everyday psychiatric care, while also exploring how nutritional factors can further influence mood, cognition, and treatment response. Faculty will discuss common but frequently overlooked deficiencies and when it may be clinically useful to assess them. Attendees will leave with realistic strategies for incorporating lifestyle and nutritional interventions without disrupting clinical workflow.

Many contributors to cognitive decline are modifiable and fall squarely within psychiatric practice. This session will review key risk factors, including depression, social isolation, sleep disturbance, substance use, and chronic stress. Faculty will provide actionable tools for assessing cognitive risk, counseling patients on brain-healthy behaviors, and integrating preventive strategies into routine care. Clinical cases will illustrate how addressing psychiatric and behavioral factors can meaningfully support cognitive resilience and aging-related brain health.

Session developed in partnership with the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Suicide, overdose, and alcohol-related mortality are rising nationwide, leaving not only families but also clinicians carrying profound, often unspoken grief. This session, presented with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), offers a supportive space for health care professionals to acknowledge and process the loss of patients. Through poetry, narrative reflection, and collective remembrance, participants will honor those who have died while exploring evidence-based strategies for clinician healing, including WILD 5 wellness practices, peer support, mentorship, and rituals of remembrance. The session concludes with an invitation to join the “Out of the Darkness” Walk, affirming community, connection, and hope.

Session developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Cannabis-related psychiatric complications are increasing due to rising THC potency, novel formulations, and widespread use among adolescents and young adults. This session reviews data on cannabis-induced psychosis, effects on depression and bipolar disorder, dose-response relationships, withdrawal, and risk reduction. Faculty will discuss assessment tools, cannabis tapering strategies, and treatment pathways for cannabis use disorder. Participants will gain practical guidance for counseling patients, addressing misconceptions, and integrating evidence-based interventions into clinical care.

Major Depressive Disorder often persists despite guideline-based pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, leaving clinicians unsure how to adjust treatment in the face of partial response, symptom heterogeneity, or unclear diagnosis. This session uses real-world case examples to guide clinicians through evaluating treatment resistance, identifying overlooked contributors such as anxiety, trauma, and medical illness, and refining diagnostic impressions. Faculty will demonstrate practical strategies for optimizing antidepressants, choosing augmentation or switching pathways, integrating targeted psychotherapies, and addressing functional impairment. Participants will gain practical tools to navigate complex MDD presentations and improve outcomes when standard approaches are not enough.

Assessing the authenticity of psychiatric symptoms can be challenging, particularly in contexts involving legal charges, disability claims, or mandated treatment. This session outlines evidence-based tools and clinical interviewing strategies to differentiate genuine illness from feigned or exaggerated presentations. Faculty will also address ethical considerations, documentation techniques, and risk mitigation strategies when malingering is suspected. Participants will learn how to balance skepticism with compassion while ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.

Through our continued partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we will host an Out of the Darkness Community Walk at this year’s Psych Congress in San Diego. All Psych Congress attendees are encouraged to participate. While donations are appreciated, there is no fundraising requirement to participate.

Walk Route Information

Kick off the walk with us at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which will then continue to Psych Congress Connect: The Annual Networking Event. Join us for this meaningful walk in support of mental health and suicide prevention and seamlessly transition into an evening of connection and community.

Join colleagues, Psych Congress faculty, and members of the Steering Committee for an unforgettable evening designed to bring the Psych Congress community together in a dynamic New Orleans setting. More details coming soon.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Comorbidity is the rule, not the exception, in ADHD, often complicating diagnosis and treatment planning. This session examines clinical challenges when ADHD co-occurs with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and substance use disorders. Faculty will address strategies for diagnostic clarification, sequencing treatments, and balancing symptom control with risks such as stimulant misuse or mood destabilization. Discussion will emphasize pharmacotherapeutic interventions while also discussing integrative approaches that combine medication management with psychotherapy, environmental supports, and functional interventions. Attendees will gain practical frameworks for treating ADHD within complex, real-world presentations marked by overlapping diagnoses and significant functional impairment.

Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms often emerge during brief outpatient visits, making early identification and structured intervention essential. This session will outline practical strategies for initial assessment, risk evaluation, and the use of DBT-informed skills while awaiting longer-term psychotherapy. Faculty will discuss when to consider adjunctive pharmacotherapy for targeted symptoms and how to coordinate care effectively. Participants will leave with a clear, evidence-based approach to stabilizing early presentations and supporting therapeutic engagement.

Optimal pharmacologic management of bipolar disorder frequently requires combination therapy, yet clinicians lack guidance beyond standard guidelines. This session covers sequencing lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, carbamazepine, and atypical antipsychotics, along with strategies for side-effect mitigation, serum level optimization, and careful antidepressant use. Faculty will present real-world case vignettes demonstrating how to manage inadequate response, intolerability, and polypharmacy challenges. Attendees will leave with practical tools for sophisticated, safe medication management.

Sexual and domestic violence are common yet frequently underrecognized contributors to psychiatric illness in women. This session will provide practical strategies for identifying trauma exposure in routine psychiatric encounters, even when patients do not disclose abuse directly. Faculty will review trauma-informed interviewing techniques, red flags for ongoing risk, and approaches to assessing safety without retraumatization. Clinical cases will illustrate how early recognition of violence-related trauma can guide diagnosis, treatment planning, and referral, improving outcomes across mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.

Session developed in partnership with the International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry (ISRP).

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

While psychosis is common in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, there are many other causes of the psychosis symptoms. This session will help you learn to differentiate other causes of psychosis, including substance induced, delusional disorders, and medical causes of psychosis symptoms. Faculty will provide practical guidance on how to examine the temporal nature of the psychotic symptoms, the distinguishing features of different symptoms, and associated assessment technology, such as labs and imaging to arrive at a differential diagnosis. Utilizing a historic case presentation, learners will remember that it is sometimes not only the symptoms that are present, but also those that are absent, that help us to make a correct diagnosis. Participants will also gain practical skills for the management of these conditions.

Deprescribing has evolved from a strategy focused on the problem of burden of multiple medication regimens among chronically ill elderly to a broader clinical approach aimed at reducing unnecessary or burdensome psychotropic treatment. As interest grows, clinicians face important questions about who an appropriate candidate is, when deprescribing should be prioritized, and how to anticipate risks during medication reduction. This session explores how deprescribing decisions differ by diagnosis, with a focused comparison of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Faculty will examine how patterns of polypharmacy, treatment goals, and risk–benefit considerations vary across these conditions, and how those differences shape rational deprescribing strategies. Participants will gain a clearer framework for making diagnosis-specific deprescribing decisions while maintaining clinical stability and long-term outcomes.

Sleep complaints frequently complicate psychiatric care, yet clinicians often struggle to determine whether insomnia or hypersomnia reflects medication effects, primary sleep disorders, circadian disruption, trauma, or worsening psychiatric illness. This session uses real-world case examples to help clinicians differentiate psychiatric from sleep-driven symptoms, identify key diagnostic clues, and address treatment resistance when sleep disruption persists. Faculty will explore strategies for optimizing medication timing, integrating behavioral sleep interventions, navigating comorbid conditions such as pain or substance use, and deciding when to pursue sleep studies. Participants will gain actionable, case-based tools to improve sleep and stabilize overall psychiatric outcomes.

Session developed in partnership with the Sleep Research Society Foundation (SRSF).

Determining when to initiate pharmacotherapy versus emphasizing behavioral and lifestyle interventions is a key challenge in ADHD treatment. This session will explore how clinicians can make informed first-line treatment decisions, considering symptom severity, patient preference, and co-occurring conditions. Faculty will discuss the role of stimulant and non-stimulant medications, alongside evidence-based behavioral strategies, coaching, and environmental modifications to create personalized, flexible treatment plans that optimize long-term outcomes.

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Neurodevelopmental disorder research is advancing at an unprecedented pace, providing new insights into genetics, brain network function, and novel interventions for conditions like ADHD and autism. This session will highlight breaking research and key studies from the past year, featuring expert analysis alongside selected poster presenters unveiling emerging data. Faculty will discuss the latest treatment strategies, innovative behavioral interventions, and digital therapeutics, offering practical insights into how these discoveries may transform patient care.

Reducing suicide risk requires the thoughtful use of treatments with established evidence and clear clinical benefits. This session reviews pharmacologic strategies shown to lower suicidal behavior, with a focus on lithium, clozapine, and ECT alongside core principles of the use of antidepressants, mood stabilization, and relapse prevention. Faculty will also discuss the role of evidence-based behavioral approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Through practical guidance on approach to patients, safety considerations, and longitudinal care planning, attendees will gain an evidence-based framework for integrating medication and behavioral strategies into individualized suicide prevention plans.

Session developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Alzheimer’s disease presents with complex cognitive, behavioral, and functional changes that require nuanced, longitudinal clinical management. This session will examine modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on early identification of Alzheimer’s disease and how timely recognition informs care planning from the outset. Faculty will provide clarity on when and why biomarkers and advanced diagnostic tools are clinically meaningful, and how they can be applied responsibly in practice. The session will also address disease progression and long-term management, integrating pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to support individualized care across the continuum of Alzheimer’s disease.

Session developed in partnership with the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).

Many patients with bipolar depression struggle despite guideline-supported treatments. This session explores practical algorithms for treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD), including when to switch, when to augment, and how to combine agents. Faculty will review evidence for emerging treatments (e.g., lumateperone, cariprazine, vortioxetine, ketamine), off-label strategies, and complex case examples. Attendees will gain a step-by-step approach to rescuing stalled treatment plans and reducing functional impairment.

Join your peers in the Exhibit Hall to engage and learn about available pharmaceuticals and devices for your practice. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages available.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Choosing between psychotherapy, lifestyle interventions, and medication at the onset of GAD treatment requires nuanced assessment. This session will review clinical markers that support initiating pharmacotherapy versus prioritizing CBT, mindfulness-based strategies, sleep optimization, and physical activity. Faculty will discuss how factors such as severity, comorbid depression, trauma history, and patient preference shape first-line decision-making. Participants will learn to create personalized care plans that balance rapid symptom relief with long-term resilience-building strategies.

The landscape of depression research is rapidly evolving, with new discoveries in neurobiology, treatment innovation, and diagnostic frameworks reshaping clinical practice. This session will showcase research from the past year, featuring expert analysis alongside selected poster presenters unveiling emerging data. Faculty will highlight key takeaways from recent clinical trials and emerging trends in pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, offering insight into how these discoveries may influence the future of mood disorder treatment.

Children with autism spectrum disorder often present with overlapping anxiety, ADHD, or mood disorders that complicate treatment. This session examines assessment strategies, communication challenges, and evidence-based medication use. Faculty will highlight behavioral therapies and family engagement models. Participants will gain an integrated framework for tailoring interventions, managing side effects, and coordinating multidisciplinary care to optimize developmental outcomes.

Cognitive decline and behavioral changes in older adults are often presumed to reflect Alzheimer’s disease, yet many patients present with reversible conditions, primary psychiatric illness, or alternative neurodegenerative processes. This session provides psychiatrists with a structured, step-by-step approach to differential diagnosis, incorporating clinical assessment alongside emerging tools such as blood-based biomarkers, neuroimaging, and longitudinal cognitive tracking. Faculty will address neuropsychiatric symptoms including: agitation, psychosis, mood changes, and sleep disturbance, as core features requiring active management. Emphasis will be placed on whole-person evaluation that integrates medical, psychiatric, functional, and psychosocial data to support accurate diagnosis and informed care planning.

Session developed in partnership with the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Join your peers in the Exhibit Hall and learn about available pharmaceuticals and devices for your practice. Take part in the Poster Pavilion to review relevant, cutting-edge research, keep up-to-date on innovative projects and programs, and learn from your colleagues in this peer-to-peer educational format.

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.

Sexual side effects of psychotropics remain underrecognized and undertreated. This session explores the neurobiology of female sexual function and dysfunction, emphasizing psychotropic impact and available interventions. Faculty will present behavioral, pharmacologic, and integrative options to restore function and quality of life. Participants will learn to initiate sensitive discussions and personalize treatment for sexual well-being.

Session developed in partnership with the International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry (ISRP).

Successful psychiatric practice requires not only clinical expertise but also a clear understanding of billing systems that were rarely covered in training. This session demystifies the real-world essentials of coding, documentation, time-based billing, and navigating evolving reimbursement models. Faculty will review common pitfalls, strategies for accurately capturing clinical complexity, and tips for avoiding denials or compliance issues. Participants will gain practical, immediately applicable tools to streamline billing, improve revenue integrity, and support sustainable, high-quality psychiatric care.

Many patients with generalized, panic, or mixed anxiety disorders experience only partial relief from first-line SSRIs and SNRIs, leaving clinicians uncertain about how to proceed. This session provides a comprehensive, step-by-step framework for evaluating treatment-resistant anxiety and selecting next-line interventions. Faculty will review systematic assessment tools, rational sequencing strategies, and integration of psychotherapy to enhance response. The session will also highlight evidence-informed off-label and emerging pharmacologic options, including gabapentinoids, atypical antipsychotics, buspirone optimization, beta blockers, alpha-agonists, hydroxyzine, and agents targeting glutamatergic and GABAergic systems. Participants will gain practical guidance for delivering safe, individualized, and accountable anxiety care when standard treatments fall short.

Interest in the intersection of women’s mental health, ADHD, and hormonal shifts has surged, yet research remains limited and guidance inconsistent. This session provides a clear, evidence-informed overview of emerging knowledge on how estrogen and progesterone influence attention, impulsivity, mood, and stimulant response across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perinatal period, and perimenopause. Faculty will also explore ADHD’s impact on sexual health and behavior, as well as practical considerations for prescribing stimulants, non-stimulants, and hormonal treatments. Participants will gain actionable strategies for navigating care amid evolving science and persistent research gaps.

Rising anxiety disorders in children and teens are compounded by social media and online stressors. This session explores the intersection of technology use, avoidance behaviors, and emotional dysregulation. Faculty will review CBT adaptations, parent coaching models, and pharmacologic strategies. Attendees will leave with practical tools to assess digital-related anxiety, guide healthy technology boundaries, and implement integrated treatment plans promoting resilience.

Not all patients with schizophrenia respond predictably to first-line antipsychotic therapy. This panel discussion uses challenging clinical cases to examine treatment resistance, persistent positive symptoms, comorbid mood instability, and functional decline. Faculty will discuss sequencing strategies, clozapine timing, augmentation options, and managing adverse effects such as metabolic burden and sedation. Attendees will gain step-by-step guidance on refining treatment plans when conventional approaches fail to produce meaningful recovery.

Lipids are fundamental to brain structure, synaptic signaling, and neuroinflammatory regulation, yet their role in psychiatric illness is often underappreciated. This session integrates emerging research on cholesterol and fatty acid biology with clinical insights into mood disorders, psychosis, and cognitive dysfunction. Faculty will examine how low cholesterol levels and omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies influence membrane fluidity, neurotransmission, and inflammatory pathways implicated in major psychiatric illness. Emphasis will be placed on translating metabolic and neurobiological findings into practical clinical applications, including assessment strategies and adjunctive interventions that complement psychopharmacologic care.

Sleep disturbance is a central but often undertreated feature of PTSD despite the fact that insomnia and nightmares are part of the diagnostic criteria. This session will examine how trauma-related hyperarousal and reexperiencing contribute to persistent insomnia, nightmares, and other sleep disorders. Faculty will present an integrated, evidence-informed framework for assessment and treatment, including both pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic options.

Session developed in partnership with the Sleep Research Society Foundation (SRSF).

An engaging onsite evening designed to foster meaningful connection among mental health professionals. Join colleagues for a dynamic experience focused on conversation, collaboration, and shared insights.

Programming elements and participation opportunities will be announced soon.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Artificial intelligence, wearable technologies, and digital therapeutics are rapidly transforming psychiatric care, offering new ways to monitor symptoms, guide treatment, and enhance patient engagement. This session goes beyond predictive analytics to showcase validated digital biomarkers, passive data collection, and real-time monitoring tools for mood, sleep, and relapse detection. Faculty will present real-world examples of how clinicians can introduce these tools during visits, incorporate app-based interventions into treatment plans, and use digital phenotyping without overwhelming workflow. Participants will gain practical, actionable strategies for integrating technology into routine psychiatric encounters to improve diagnostic accuracy and personalize care.

Inflammation plays a meaningful role in depression for a subset of patients and evidence increasingly supports CRP-guided antidepressant selection. This session reviews inflammatory depression presentations, immune biomarkers, and the mechanisms connecting cytokines to mood disruption. Faculty will discuss anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapies, glutamatergic modulation, microbiome-focused interventions, and lifestyle approaches targeting immune activity. Attendees will learn practical ways to evaluate inflammatory contributors and apply personalized treatment strategies based on emerging biological insights.

Substance use disorders require a structured, patient-centered approach that balances safety, engagement, and evidence-based care. This session reviews foundational strategies for assessment, brief interventions, medication treatment, and relapse prevention across alcohol, opioid, stimulant, and cannabis use disorders. Faculty will highlight barriers to care, motivational approaches, and steps to coordinate treatment across settings. Attendees will gain practical tools to guide early intervention and ongoing management of SUD in general psychiatric practice.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and related mood disorders demand precise identification and targeted care. This session explores diagnostic criteria, symptom tracking, and emerging treatments, including neurosteroid modulation and hormonal interventions. Faculty will discuss differential diagnosis from MDD and anxiety disorders. Participants will leave equipped with tools for accurate assessment and modern, evidence-based treatment.

Session developed in partnership with the International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry (ISRP).

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

Join your peers in the Exhibit Hall and learn about available pharmaceuticals and devices for your practice. Take part in the Poster Pavilion to review relevant, cutting-edge research, keep up-to-date on innovative projects and programs, and learn from your colleagues in this peer-to-peer educational format.

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.

Breakthrough research in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders is shaping the future of treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. This session will provide a fast-paced, research-focused deep dive into the most significant discoveries of the past year, featuring expert analysis alongside selected poster presenters unveiling emerging data. Faculty will discuss the latest advancements, offering insight into how these findings may change the way clinicians approach psychotic disorders.

Research in psychedelic psychiatry continues to advance rapidly, expanding both scientific understanding and clinical interest. This session will provide a current, evidence-based update on psychedelic-assisted therapies, reviewing recent clinical trial data, evolving regulatory developments, and emerging therapeutic indications. Faculty will examine advances across established and novel compounds, discuss safety and implementation considerations, and address ongoing controversies surrounding access and use. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing validated clinical evidence from public enthusiasm, helping psychiatrists understand where the field stands today and how psychedelic therapies may realistically integrate into future psychiatric practice.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is frequently underrecognized in clinical settings, yet it carries significant risks including severe distress, functional impairment, and elevated suicidality. This session provides a practical framework for identifying BDD, differentiating it from related conditions, and addressing common barriers to engagement such as poor insight and reassurance-seeking. Faculty will review evidence-based treatments, including SSRIs, CBT with exposure and response prevention, and strategies for managing compulsive behaviors and cosmetic treatment-seeking. Participants will gain tools to improve diagnostic accuracy, strengthen therapeutic alliance, and support recovery in patients struggling with distorted body image beliefs.

Contemporary suicide risk is shaped by factors that extend beyond symptoms alone. This rapid-fire session will address three evolving contributors to suicidal thoughts and behaviors: brain-based functionality identified through neuroscience research; hormonal influences on mood, cognition, and behavior across the lifespan; and the growing presence of AI chatbots in patients’ mental health decision-making. Faculty will provide practical guidance on identifying these contributors to suicide, incorporating targeted screening into assessments, and adapting treatment plans accordingly. Clinical examples will highlight how integrating biological and digital awareness can strengthen suicide prevention efforts.

Session developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Medications for opioid use disorder are among the most effective tools in addiction treatment, yet their use requires careful clinical judgment, structured monitoring, and a deep understanding of pharmacologic differences. This session explores the benefits and risks of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, including patient selection, dosing and titration challenges, cardiac and overdose considerations, co-prescribed sedatives, and transitions between agents. Faculty will review best practices for managing side effects, ensuring safety, and supporting long-term adherence. Participants will gain practical guidance for integrating these powerful but demanding medications into comprehensive, person-centered addiction care.

As telehealth becomes a core component of psychiatric practice, clinicians must navigate new ethical challenges unique to virtual care. This session examines key issues including patient privacy during remote sessions, management of high-risk encounters, safe prescribing practices across state lines, and maintaining therapeutic boundaries in digital environments. Faculty will review best practices for documentation, crisis protocols, and engaging vulnerable populations. Participants will gain practical frameworks to deliver ethical, clinically sound telepsychiatry while protecting patient autonomy, safety, and confidentiality.

Determining the optimal first-line approach for posttraumatic stress disorder requires careful clinical judgment, as patients vary widely in symptom presentation, readiness for trauma work, and co-occurring conditions. This session will review the key factors that guide whether to begin with evidence-based psychotherapies—such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure—or to initiate pharmacotherapy with SSRIs, SNRIs, or prazosin for targeted symptoms. Faculty will also discuss the role of sleep stabilization, physical activity, grounding skills, and other lifestyle supports in early PTSD care. Participants will learn to create personalized, stepwise treatment plans that balance symptom relief, patient preference, and long-term functional recovery.

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in older adults and are increasingly recognized as a critical, modifiable factor influencing cognitive function and psychiatric outcomes. This session will explore the bidirectional relationship between sleep, cognition, and mental illness in aging populations, with an emphasis on clinical assessment and treatment implications. Faculty will review age-related changes in sleep architecture, the impact of insomnia and circadian disruption on cognitive decline, and the cognitive risks associated with commonly prescribed psychotropics. Practical, evidence-based strategies for optimizing sleep to support cognitive health in older adults will be discussed. Speakers to be announced soon!

Session developed in partnership with the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).

Join the Psych Congress Steering Committee, attendees, and peers for a poster reception and announcements of awards with live music, hors d'oeuvres, and beverages.

Breakfast will be served. Seating is limited to 200 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.

As GLP-1 receptor agonists become more widely prescribed, psychiatrists increasingly encounter patients using or requesting these agents. This session provides practical guidance on indications, contraindications, dosing considerations, gastrointestinal side effects, and coordination of care. Faculty will address concerns related to eating disorders, mood destabilization, body image, and medication adherence. Participants will gain a structured framework for discussing GLP-1s with patients, managing expectations, and safely incorporating metabolic considerations into psychiatric treatment planning.

With expanding neuromodulation options, clinicians need frameworks to determine which modality best suits which patient. This session covers mechanisms, indications, comparative effectiveness, and sequencing of TMS, ECT, VNS, theta-burst stimulation, and accelerated protocols. Faculty will present case-based examples of matching treatment to depressive subtype, comorbidity, and illness stage. Attendees will leave with clear criteria for choosing neuromodulation strategies and integrating them into outpatient and collaborative care settings.

Suicide prevention extends beyond assessment; it requires structured planning and clear communication. This session covers the use of evidence-based crisis response plans, documentation of best practices, and integration of safety tools. Faculty will share case examples and charting strategies that protect patients and clinicians alike. Participants will enhance their competence in managing risk, documenting effectively, and fostering therapeutic alliances.

Session developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

These highly interactive educational sessions offer a comprehensive and practical look into a diverse array of mental health conditions. Both seasoned and early-career mental health professionals will benefit from the knowledge and insights shared by our diverse team of expert clinical faculty. Complementing the overall agenda, these sessions provide a deep dive into emerging therapies, new treatment formulations, and management of the most complex patients, and are designed to answer your most challenging questions. Supported by educational grants and with a focus on translating current research into practical, real-world applications, these sessions will help you effectively integrate the latest advances in mental health care into clinical practice, enhancing your professional skills and improving patient outcomes.

Lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 250 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.

Clozapine remains the gold standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, yet its use is often limited by strict monitoring requirements, side effect concerns, and prescribing complexities. This session will provide a deep dive into the benefits, risks, and practical challenges of clozapine therapy, exploring strategies for initiating treatment, managing side effects, and ensuring adherence. Faculty will discuss real-world cases and expert recommendations to help clinicians navigate this essential but demanding medication.

Many patients achieve incomplete relief from first-line antidepressants. This advanced session reviews evidence-based switching protocols, cross-tapering considerations, and augmentation approaches, including lithium, T3, atypical antipsychotics, bupropion optimization, Auvelity, vortioxetine, and off-label anxiolytics. Faculty will highlight strategies for common challenges such as emotional blunting, activation, and side-effect-driven discontinuation. Participants will gain a structured approach to managing partial response, improving tolerability, and rescuing stalled treatment plans.

Treating psychiatric illness during pregnancy requires balancing maternal stability and fetal safety. This session provides evidence-based guidance for medication use during pregnancy and lactation. Faculty will review dosing considerations, risk communication, and nonpharmacologic supports. Participants will gain practical frameworks to navigate complex decisions and collaborate effectively with obstetric providers.

Session developed in partnership with the International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry (ISRP).

As Psych Congress concludes, this closing session invites us to reflect on the power of community in shaping the future of mental health care. Over the past days, we have explored new science, practical strategies, and innovative treatments, but it is our shared commitment to patients and to one another that transforms knowledge into impact. This session will celebrate collaboration across disciplines, honor the collective wisdom of our field, and reaffirm the importance of connection in sustaining meaningful clinical work. Participants will leave inspired, re-energized, and grounded in a renewed sense of professional community and purpose. More details to come shortly.