the Spotlight Stage
Hall D, Solutions Center, End of Aisles 300 & 400
lead through
Innovation
Located in the heart of the
Solutions Center, the Spotlight Stage brings together speakers and sponsors on the cutting edge of psychology — dynamic, accessible sessions and events where new ideas and innovations are on full display.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Huddle
What Graduate School Didn't Teach You: Understanding Perimenopause in Therapy
1:30-2:00 p.m. ET
Join Christina Biedermann, PsyD, ABAP, for a candid, practical discussion of perimenopause, including clinical considerations, client communication, and the intersection of hormonal changes and mental health.
About Huddles
Huddle sessions are designed for early-career psychologists and young professionals, creating space for candid, practical conversations that bridge the gap between academic training and real-world clinical practice.
Each 30-minute session features a moderated discussion with seasoned psychologists who share insights, lived experiences, and actionable strategies on complex, often under-discussed topics. These sessions are intentionally brief, accessible, and scheduled at varying times to maximize participation and engagement.
Topics tackle real challenges clinicians face today from navigating sensitive client conversations to understanding emerging areas in mental health, offering attendees immediately applicable knowledge in a low-pressure, highly interactive format.
PAID PROGRAM
Foundations of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Therapists are increasingly encountering clients who are curious about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). This topical webinar introduces licensed mental health professionals to foundational concepts in KAP, including key terminology, treatment phases, and the roles of therapists and prescribers.
Featuring a psychologist and a medical provider who collaborate to deliver KAP, the session, paid for by Journey Clinical, walks through how clients are assessed for eligibility, what falls within the therapist's scope, and how the prescriber-therapist relationship works day to day. You'll gain a clear picture of how KAP treatment plans are developed as well as an inside look into how preparation, dosing, and integration sessions are structured, as well as how KAP can support and deepen the therapeutic work you're already doing.
We’ll also explore how ketamine may support mental health through neurobiological and psychological mechanisms, and examine therapeutic factors that shape outcomes such as set, setting, and integration. Attendees will leave better equipped to engage clients in informed, responsible conversations about this emerging modality.
4-5 p.m. ET
Students and recent graduates have just three minutes to present their research findings and respond to a question from our panel of expert judges. Judges will select the first- and second-place winners, and you’ll have the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award winner!
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Despite the broad scope and training of clinical and counseling psychologists, many graduate students and early-career psychologists expect their career to follow a path to academia or general private practice. While these are worthwhile career paths, there are other options, including conducting industry research, developing treatment interventions, pursuing healthcare leadership, and working in medical settings. During this session, paid for by Catalight, three licensed psychologists who developed non-traditional careers will discuss how they developed rewarding careers by leveraging unexpected opportunities.
Huddle
What Graduate School Didn't Teach You: Psychedelics in Practice
2:30–3:00 p.m. ET
Join Jessica Punzo, PsyD for an overview of the evolving landscape of psychedelic assisted therapy, ethical implications, and what clinicians need to know right now.
About Huddles
Huddle sessions are designed for early-career psychologists and young professionals, creating space for candid, practical conversations that bridge the gap between academic training and real-world clinical practice.
Each 30-minute session features a moderated discussion with seasoned psychologists who share insights, lived experiences, and actionable strategies on complex, often under-discussed topics. These sessions are intentionally brief, accessible, and scheduled at varying times to maximize participation and engagement.
Topics tackle real challenges clinicians face today from navigating sensitive client conversations to understanding emerging areas in mental health, offering attendees immediately applicable knowledge in a low-pressure, highly interactive format.
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
The digital mental and behavioral health space is expanding rapidly, but trust isn't keeping pace. This session showcases how APA Labs is bridging that gap through bold, psychology-driven innovation, using the Digital Badge Program as a real-world example, and invites psychologists to join a growing ecosystem of experts shaping the future of digital care.
10:30-11:30 a.m. ET
As AI systems increasingly shape human behavior, wellbeing, and opportunity, psychologists can no longer afford to be consulted after the fact. This session examines how psychological science can move upstream in AI development, offering frameworks, real-world case studies, and practical strategies for psychologists ready to lead in technology innovation.
12:30-1:30 p.m. ET
Psychological science matters, but only if people understand it. Psychology improves lives, but its benefits can only be realized when research is translated for the public and informs policy decisions. To make research matter, we need clear communication and better teaching. This session highlights inspiring examples of how sharing science effectively and teaching it well can turn evidence into action.
Huddle
What Graduate School Didn't Teach You: Navigating Awkward Situations in the Therapy Room
2:30–3:00 p.m. ET
Explore real-world scenarios, ethical considerations, and how to respond with confidence and professionalism, led by Erin Deneke, PhD.
About Huddles
Huddle sessions are designed for early-career psychologists and young professionals, creating space for candid, practical conversations that bridge the gap between academic training and real-world clinical practice.
Each 30-minute session features a moderated discussion with seasoned psychologists who share insights, lived experiences, and actionable strategies on complex, often under-discussed topics. These sessions are intentionally brief, accessible, and scheduled at varying times to maximize participation and engagement.
Topics tackle real challenges clinicians face today from navigating sensitive client conversations to understanding emerging areas in mental health, offering attendees immediately applicable knowledge in a low-pressure, highly interactive format.
Check back soon for more programming!
Session times are subject to change.
