Feature Stage

Thursday, August 7

Friday, August 8

Saturday, August 9

CRITICAL CONVERSATION

The Impact of Anti-Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Legislation

Division 1

Thursday, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts have been outlawed. Representation, safety, value for individual differences, educational freedom, and equitable access are currently being stifled and constrained. This presentation will focus on the pressing need for schools, training programs, and professionals to receive guidance on managing discrepancies between standards, ethics, and law.

Presenters:

Kenji C. Miyamoto, PhD, Divisions for Social Justice (DSJ)
Anne Stegenga, PsyD, APA Division 18, Diversity Committee Co-Chair
Jacinta Dickens, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

SYMPOSIUM

Psychedelics and Recovery from Addictive Disorders: Recent Experimental and Observational Findings

Thursday, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This symposium examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in treating addictive disorders. Presentations include findings from clinical trials exploring psilocybin for tobacco and cocaine use disorders, and a survey assessing the influence of psychedelics on behavioral addictions. Discussions focus on clinical efficacy, implications for addiction research, and public health significance.

Presenters:

Peter Hendricks, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Gideon Naudé, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Jeremie Richard, PhD, Dr., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Albert Garcia-Romeu, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

SYMPOSIUM

Systems level approaches to Addressing Youth Mental Health Crisis

Thursday, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

CE Credits: 1

The notable increase in mental health disorders among children and adolescents and inadequate access to care have resulted in a crisis. Address this crisis will require multifaceted and systems level solutions. Speakers will discuss frameworks for early interventions, evidence-based approaches for prevention and supporting wellbeing in youth, and ways to bring interventions to a national scale.

Presenters:

Ann S. Masten, PhD, University of Minnesota
Kenneth A. Dodge, PhD, Duke University
Sandra Barrueco, PhD, Catholic University of America

SYMPOSIUM

The Kink and Flourishing Study: Impact of Kink Involvement in People’s Personal Growth and Healing

Thursday, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

CE Credits: 1

Past research indicates that people experience healing from past trauma after engaging in kinky behaviors, and that some intentionally use kink to increase flourishing. The symposium will review the first in-depth mixed methods empirical study of this phenomenon and discuss the results regarding healing and indicators of flourishing.

Presenters:

Anna M. Randall, MSW, The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance (TASHRA)
Jessica Helmer, The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance (TASHRA)
Richard A. Sprott, PhD, California State University, East Bay
Shveta Mittal, PhD, Independent Practice

CRITICAL CONVERSATION

Collective Trauma from Sociopolitical Crises: Impacts and Community Resilience

Friday, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

This session aims to explore the complex impacts of global crises, intergenerational trauma, and systemic oppression on collective trauma and mental health. Participants will engage with culturally informed frameworks and case studies, gaining tools to foster resilience, promote collective healing, and address systemic injustices through advocacy and solidarity.

Presenters:

Taewon Kim, PhD, University of Florida
NaYeon Yang, PhD, University of North Texas
Mijin Kim, PhD, Texas Woman's University
Hang-Shim Lee, PhD, Konkuk University
Hannah Lee, PhD, Emory School of Medicine

SYMPOSIUM

Buddhist Psychotherapy: Connecting Early Buddhism to Mindfulness and Western Psychotherapy

Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

CE Credits: 1

Mindfulness is a concept that migrated from Buddhism to psychology. Mindfulness is used as a technique without a theoretical context. One psychologist, a Buddhist academic and practitioner (Tien Liang), teamed up with a multicultural feminist psychologist (Debra Kawahara) to ‘translate’ the fundamentals of Buddhism into a theoretical framework for psychotherapy.

Presenters:

Debra M. Kawahara, PhD, 2025 American Psychological Association President, Alliant International University - California
Liang Tien, PhD, Alliant International University

CRITICAL CONVERSATION

The Evolution of Group Psychotherapy to Liberation Ecosystems

Friday, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Explore how group psychotherapy can foster liberation ecosystems for historically excluded communities. This session introduces the 'Burn the Cape' initiative, followed by discussions on redesigning therapy to empower individuals, dismantle oppressive structures, and promote collective healing and community building in diverse settings.

Presenter:

Raquel Martin, PhD, Tennessee State University

SKILL BUILDING

Making Nice with Naughty: Supporting Overcontrolled Clients' Pursuit of Sexual Pleasure

Friday, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

CE Credit: 1

Discover innovative techniques to help overcontrolled clients overcome barriers to sexual pleasure. This session unveils new applications of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) for addressing perfectionism and sexual anxiety in intimate settings, offering fresh strategies for clinicians eager to transform clients' romantic and sexual experiences.

Presenter:

Tom Murray, PhD, Clinical Training & Consultation, PLLC

CRITICAL CONVERSATION

TikTok and Self-Diagnosis: The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health

Saturday, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Participants will explore TikTok's impact on adolescent and young adult (AYA) mental health by examining how the platform and its creators have promoted and spread misinformation about mental health and neurodiversity. The session includes discussions, real-world examples, and collaboration on strategies to address the challenges TikTok presents.

Presenters:

Mina D. Nguyen Driver, PsyD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mara Whiteside, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Amy Seay, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

SYMPOSIUM

Building Coalitions: Feminist, Disabled, Minority, and Genderqueer Resistance

Saturday, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

CE Credits: 1

In today’s polarized sociopolitical climate, marginalized communities are facing increasing challenges to their rights and well-being. This symposium explores how coalitions between feminist, disabled, minority cultural, and genderqueer communities can amplify advocacy efforts and navigate complex sociopolitical systems.

Presenters:

Erin M. Liebich, PsyD, Clinical Director, Center for Personal Growth, PLLC
Elizabeth Scriven, PsyD, Therapeutic Health Services
Alette Coble-Temple, PsyD, John F. Kennedy University
Kelly Deragon, PsyD, Lifestance Health Inc.

SYMPOSIUM

Technology and Workplace

Saturday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The use of technology in the workplace brings a host of benefits, challenges, and considerations. Human behavior is an element critical to understanding this enterprise. How is psychological science used to enhance the effective use of technology in the workplace? Experts will discuss a range of ways that science can help understand and improve worker experience and well-being; as well as assist employers in selecting and supporting employees.

Presenters:

Gena Cox, PhD, Founder, Feels Human LLC
Tammy Allen, PhD, University of South Florida
Tara Behrend, PhD, Professor, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Michigan State University
Richard N. Landers, PhD, University of Minnesota

CRITICAL CONVERSATION

Beyond the Party Lines: Addressing Politics in Session

Saturday, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

This workshop empowers psychologists to navigate political discussions with mental health clients in a thoughtful, respectful, and ethical manner. Participants will learn strategies for fostering open communication, addressing political topics without bias, and understanding the impact of politics on mental health, promoting a safe, inclusive therapeutic environment.

Presenter:

Jacquelin Darby, PsyD, The Unconscious Shift