marylandpsychology

When Grief Goes Viral: Mourning and Meaning in the COVID Pandemic

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:40:58 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $155

Recorded on October 3rd, 2022

Introductory - Psychologists who have little or no background in a specialized skill or content area, but do hold a doctorate degree

Workshop Description:

With the global pandemic of COVID-19 has come the loss of a world of once familiar routines, relationships and resources that previously conferred on our lives a sense of security and meaning. This workshop introduces carefully validated screening tools for both pandemic-specific risk factors associated with bereavement as the contagion spreads and the pandemic grief it leaves in its wake.

This presentation summarizes recent research that documents the severity and impact of losing a loved one to COVID-19 and other causes of death in the pandemic, and empirically identifies 10 unique risk factors for functional impairment of work and social roles associated with the circumstances of the loss. Moreover, we will briefly discuss evidence for the critical role of meaning making in mediating or bridging risk factors on the one hand with anguishing grief and social dysfunction on the other, suggesting the role of meaning focused interventions for dealing with these disturbances constructively.

Topics specific to psychological assessment will be covered, including: knowing what norms to use with the gender diverse youth, whether or not to diagnose Gender Dysphoria as part of the assessment process, and/or how to handle when a youth “comes out” during the assessment process. Psychologists will also be provided with examples for questions to ask during the intake process and templates for gender affirming report writing, including navigating name and pronouns. In addition, the presenters will cover ethical dilemmas to consider when working with this population, as well as opportunities for advocacy.

Workshop Objectives:

After attending this workshop, attendees will be able to

Describe two validated brief screening tools for assessing pandemic grief risk factors and dysfunctional grief following COVID bereavement.
List five evidence-informed risk factors for complicated or prolonged grief exacerbated by the COVID crisis.
Identify four therapeutic procedures for addressing pandemic grief and unfinished business in bereavement.

Presented by:

Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, maintains an active consulting and coaching practice, and also directs the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, a “university without walls” for international online training in grief therapy. Neimeyer has published 30 books, including New Techniques of Grief Therapy: Bereavement and Beyond, and serves as Editor of Death Studies. The author of nearly 600 articles and chapters and a popular workshop presenter, he is currently working to advance a more adequate theory of grieving as a meaning-making process. In recognition of his contributions, he has been given Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the International Network on Personal Meaning.

How to Create an Affirming Practice Space for Gender-Diverse Youth and Families Seeking Psychological Assessment

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:37:46 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Meets the MD Licensing Requirement for Cultural Diversity

Introductory - Psychologists who have little or no background in a specialized skill or content area, but do hold a doctorate degree

Workshop Description:

Like many youth seeking psychological assessment, transgender and gender diverse youth, are often seeking an assessment to aid in differential diagnosis. However, unlike their cisgender peers, transgender youth and their families often worry that the psychological assessor that they choose, will not know how to affirm and address the youth’s gender identity.

In an effort to address this issue, this course was created to teach psychologists how to modify their psychological assessment practice in line with best practices in gender affirming care. The presenters will teach foundational terminology, discuss gender development, and educate participants as to what “transitioning,” or pursuing gender congruence entails.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Describe the 4 pathways that can be taken to pursue gender congruence.
Explain at least 2 ethical issues that could come up when providing a psychological assessment to a transgender or gender diverse youth and their family.
List 3 ways you will change your clinical practice in order to be an ally to transgender community.

Presented by:

Presented by Becca Hofrichter, LCSW-C, and Jessica R. Rothstein, Psy.D. 3 CEs

Individuals with Pain and other Chronic Illnesses: An Acceptance- and Mindfulness-based Approach

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:30:53 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $55

Workshop Description:

In this workshop, you will learn about acceptance and commitment therapy for pain and chronic pain. You will gain an experiential understanding of the processes that influence psychological inflexibility and specific clinical interventions to increased flexibility, health, and well-being. The speaker will also briefly introduce the philosophical underpinnings to this acceptance- and mindfulness-based approach including functional contextualism and relational frame theory,

Workshop Objectives:

After attending this workshop, attendees will be able to

List and describe three of the ACT Core constructs
Demonstrate how to implement two ACT interventions to directly target avoidance or fusion in individuals with Pain and/or Chronic Illness

Presented by:

Amanda Rhodes, Psy.D.

Parallel Transitions: Understanding Complexities in Treating Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth and Their Families

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:25:22 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Requirements for completion : This is considered a home-study course for reporting purposes, and in order to get CE credit you must pass the post-test (75%) and submit a completed evaluation. You will receive your CE certificate via email 7-10 business days after course completion.

Workshop Description:

When a youth undergoes a gender transition the family goes through transition as well. Working with these families requires patience, timing, and empathy. Frequent assessment of the youth and family’s functioning is needed to: proactively manage crises, celebrate successes, and help keep families together. Case examples and discussion-based learning will be used. After completing this course, clinicians will be better equipped to navigate challenging family dynamics that might hinder a youth from receiving medically necessary treatment. In addition, the presenters will discuss aspects of their own identity and the influence of these factors on the work. Guided examples will be provided to encourage participants in doing this necessary reflection.

Workshop Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to

When working with parents, learn how to foster an awareness of cisgender privilege in order to develop empathy for their youth's experiences.
When working with youth, help them be vulnerable with their family about their experiences of gender ("coming in")
Examine countertransference, internalize transphobia and a clinician's own gender identity which might influence effectiveness.

Presented by:

Ray Stirba Moneypenny, LCSW-C and Jessica R. Rothstein, Psy.D.

Gender Exploration: Treating Transitioning Youth and Their Families

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 02:34:37 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

This workshop meets the MD Licensing Requirement for Cultural Diversity

Workshop Instructional Level: Intermediate

Requirements for completion: This is considered a home-study course for reporting purposes, and in order to get CE credit you must pass the post-test (75%) and submit a completed evaluation. You will receive your CE certificate via email after course completion.

Workshop Description:

Do you feel prepared to answer the question, “my kid is transitioning--what does that even mean?” This workshop will guide clinicians through different aspects of transition and language around gender identity. Upon completion of this course, clinicians will have the information necessary to explore the process, and provide appropriate resources to clients and their families. Therapists treating this population need to have an awareness as to their own aspects of identity, and how that might influence treatment outcomes. Using themselves as examples, the workshop presenters will discuss these complex dynamics that often lead to challenges in the therapy environment. Modalities of both individual and family therapy will be covered.

Workshop Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to

Discuss and understand gender dysphoria and gender euphoria and how these might influence gender transition
Identify different aspects of transition (social, legal, medical, educational) and how to assist youth and family in timing and appropriateness of each step
Explore their (clinicians) identity and how it might impact the therapy process

Presented by:

Ray Stirba Moneypenny, LCSW-C and Jessica R. Rothstein, Psy.D.

Centering Anti-Racism in Counseling with African American Men

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:56:46 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Meets the MD Licensing Requirement for Cultural Diversity

Intermediate - Psychologists who have experience in the content area or are familiar with the literature.

Workshop Description:

In his seminal book “The Souls of Black Folk” published originally in 1903, scholar and activist W.E.B. Dubois powerfully declared that “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line” (Dubois 1989, p15). The year 2020 presented global challenges with the interface of a pandemic alongside the resurgence of visual displays of historical racism. African American men have uniquely been impacted by racism. Understanding the interface of institutional racism on our provision of psychological services is necessary to work actively to implement anti-racist practices. Diversity training was long touted as a dynamic mechanism to reduce racist practices. However, Bezrukova, Spell, Perry, and Jehn’s (2016) meta-analysis of research on diversity training illuminated weaknesses in our goal to mitigate the impact of systemic racism. They found that we maintain knowledge of diverse cultures, but changes in attitudinal/affective learning are not maintained long-term. Racism is not reduced by the mere learning of cultural norms and morays of diverse groups. Our presentation will emphasize the impact of racism on African American men and offer practical ways to provide anti-racist care. Participants will be able to describe racial biases negatively impacting the mental health of African American men. They will be able to define and provide examples of anti-racist therapy and diagnostic strategies. They will also be able to explain how anti-racist centered treatment extends outside the therapy room. Lastly, they will understand why anti-racist centered treatment is a necessity, not a consideration.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Describe racial biases negatively impacting the mental health of African American Men
Define and provide examples of anti-racist therapy and diagnostic strategies
Explain how anti-racist centered treatment extends outside the therapy room

Presented by:

Bill Johnson, Psy.D. and Jocelyn Markowicz, Ph.D.

Virtual Play Therapy

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:51:34 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Requirements for completion: This is considered a home study course for reporting purposes, and in order to get CE credit you must pass the post-test (75%) and submit a completed evaluation. Once both the post-test and evaluatio n are received by MPA, a CE certificate will be emailed.

Workshop Description:

The coronavirus pandemic forced thousands of child and adolescent psychologists to rapidly adjust their practice overnight. Virtual play therapy became a universal therapeutic go-to to maintain a supportive and healing therapeutic space during an unprecedented time. Since this method of service delivery remains in its infancy stage, many psychologists would benefit from additional guidance to navigate this modern play therapy platform competently and ethically. This workshop will serve as a guide for psychologists to creatively implement digital interventions based on their chosen clinical approach. Psychologists will be encouraged to identify their core theoretical foundation to assist with conceptualization of problem behaviors and choice of appropriate virtual play therapy interventions. Psychologists will also learn how to implement online, digital interventions to traditional, in-person playrooms to meet the modern child where they are in a digital era. Ethical considerations, diversity factors, and limitations will also be explored.

Workshop Objectives:

After attending this workshop, attendees will be able to

Apply clinically sound virtual play therapy interventions based on theoretical framework and client problem behavior
Identify two diversity factors and two ethical considerations when navigating the virtual play therapy platform
Demonstrate application of digital tools via virtual play therapy and transition of these interventions back to in-office therapy sessions

Presented by:

Rachel Altvater, Psy.D.

Involving Minors in Decisions about Medical and Mental Health Care: Legal, Ethical, Developmental and Clinical Considerations

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:13:00 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $55

Level: Intermediate

Gives you 1.5 of the 3 CE for the MD Licensing Requirement for Laws/Ethics or Risk Management

Workshop Description:

Many states afford minors legal autonomy for decision-making in some areas of health (e.g., reproductive or mental health care). However, there are other situations where clinicians need to determine how much to include minors in decision-making, and work with families where parents and minors do not agree on their role in decision-making or the decisions themselves. Minors’ capacity for decision-making is situation-specific, and not all medical and mental health decisions are alike. Moreover, health care decision-making itself should be viewed on a continuum of involvement, ranging from information and preparation for treatment - to shared decision-making with parents - to autonomous decision-making (McCabe, 1996). Developmental competencies, ethical principles (i.e., autonomy, self-determination), and opportunities to promote development and treatment adherence provide impetus for involving minors to the greatest extent possible in health care decisions.

APA Ethical Principles (2002, 2010) support the premise of psychologists seeking to involve minors’ in their understanding of, and goals for, psychological services. Other organizations have explicit policy recommendations to involve minors in health care decisions to the greatest extent appropriate (e.g., AAP, 1995; Canadian Paediatric Society, 2004, United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2013). However, research suggests that this is complicated to carry out in practice (Lee, Havens, Sato, Hoffman and Leuthner, 2006; Vaknin & Zisk-Rony, 2011). The Institute of Medicine has issued reports documenting concern about the unique challenges of adolescent health services (IOM, 2009) and decisions (IOM, 2011). Yet science in the areas of adolescent brain development, decision-making, mental health, and health promotion is progressing and can inform practice in this area. There have been important advances in understanding developmental aspects to decision making (e.g., Halpern-Felsher, 2009; Reyna & Farley, 2006) and risk-taking (e.g., Casey, Getz and Galvan, 2008; Steinberg, 2012).

This workshop for psychologists will present an update of an original framework for considering legal, ethical, developmental, and clinical factors for determining the appropriate level of involvement of minors in health care decisions. The presenter will spend part of the workshop reviewing the legal and ethical issues involved in health care decision making, as well as the science relevant to adolescent development, decision making, risk-taking, and adherence to medical regimens.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Assess and enhance their framework for the determination of minors’ appropriate level of involvement in mental health care decisions
Recognize adolescent competencies relative to the standard for informed consent.
Differentiate the relative importance of ethical, developmental, and clinical considerations for involving minors in health care decisions.

Presented by:

Mary Ann McCabe, Ph.D., ABPP

The State of Toxic Stress and Resilience Research: Policy and Practice Implications

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:08:02 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Workshop Description:

Over the past two decades, research has documented that a broad range of negative outcomes are associated with the two ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences (e.g., child maltreatment) and Adverse Community Environments (e.g., discrimination, community violence). The pandemic and the deaths of George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and others has further highlighted profound racial disparities and unresolved issues of systemic racism in this country. In this lecture, the broad range of negative mental and physical health outcomes associated with the two ACEs are reviewed, and emerging data on the mechanisms by which these experiences ‘get under the skin’ and can be transmitted transgenerationally to confer risk for these outcomes are discussed. Key factors for promoting resilience and recovery will then be delineated, together with specific policy and practice recommendations.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Delineate the broad range of negative sequelae associated with the two ACEs.
Describe mechanisms by which the ACEs 'get under the skin' to confer risk for deleterious mental and physical health outcomes.
List key factors associated with promoting resilience and recovery.

Presented by:

Joan Kaufman, Ph.D.

Conspiracy Theories in Clinical Practice

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:01:50 GMT

2 CE Credits

Members - $40
Non-members - $65

Workshop Instructional Level: Introductory

Workshop Description:

This workshop will outline the psychology of conspiracy theories and provide a theoretical account based on epistemic mistrust and vulnerability to misinformation. Using that framework, recommendations for working with clients with conspiracy theory beliefs will be discussed along with challenges of engagement and implementation.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Detail psychological needs associated with conspiracy theory beliefs.
Outline a normalizing account of conspiracy theory belief based on mistrust and misinformation.
Utilize different psychotherapeutic approaches in working with clients with conspiracy theory beliefs.

Presented by:

Joe Pierre, MD

Clinical Supervision in the Context of COVID-19

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:39:28 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130

Workshop Instructional Level: Intermediate

Workshop Description:

With the implementation of shelter-in-place restrictions across the nation in early 2020 (Taylor, 2020), many psychologists quickly transitioned from an entirely in-person practice to practicing fully online (Hames et al., 2020). Simultaneously, supervisors, many with limited prior exposure to or training on distance supervision strategies needed to provide services to trainees online.

This workshop will share best practices in telesupervision from the growing body of theoretical and empirical scholarship on telesupervision (Hames et al., 2020; Wood et al., 2005) along with the results of our own mixed-methods study exploring how COVID-19 impacted clinical training and supervision from the perspectives of both supervisors and trainees. Strategies for enhancing the supervisory working alliance when working virtually with diverse supervisees will be emphasized.

Workshop Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to

Describe empirical research on telesupervision;
List two strategies to enhance the supervisory working alliance;
Describe how to broach cultural differences in telesupervision.

Presented by:

Tiffany O’Shaughnessy, Ph.D and Sepideh (Sam) Soheilian, Ph.D

Ensuring Competency in Video-Based Psychological Care

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:32:53 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Meets the MD Licensing Requirement for Laws/Ethics or Risk Management

Meets PsyPact requirement for annual renewal

Intermediate- Psychologists who have experience in the content area or are familiar with the literature.

Workshop Description:

Video-based telehealth has demonstrated rapid and expansive adoption among mental health providers worldwide. Although comprehensive telehealth-focused education has been suggested as needed by field experts and guiding organizations to foster ethical, legal, evidence-informed and safe practice, available training opportunities have remained relatively limited and fragmented. To assist providers, the presentation will offer an evidence-informed discussion of the use of videoconferencing in psychological care, detailing multiple essential areas of a technology-enhanced practice. Following the defining of telehealth and associated terminology, current research findings of video-based telehealth will be outlined. Research-informed competencies will be detailed before logistical factors relevant to day-to-day use are defined. Helpful resources for practice will be provided.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Identify the key elements of contemporary videoconferencing-based research
Identify at least two competencies relevant to the use of videoconferencing in psychological practice
Describe at least three pertinent factors related to the provision of video-based services for psychological care.

Presented by:

Presented by Jonathan Perle, Ph.D. 3 CEs

Improving OCD Treatment for Autistic Individuals through Patient-Therapist Neurodiverse Collaboration

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:15:34 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $135

Intermediate - Psychologists who have experience in the content area or are familiar with the literature.

Workshop Description:

How can therapists modify ERP treatment for autistic individuals with OCD? ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD, however many OCD therapists lack either the knowledge or confidence on how to best approach and modify ERP when working with clients with co-occurring Autism and OCD. In a collaborative discussion, the presenters (a therapist specializing in treating OCD with individuals across the lifespan on the autism spectrum, and an autistic individual with OCD) will explore how ERP treatment may look different when working with autistic individuals, and what both clinicians and clients can do to get the most out of their treatment. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions/provide examples from their own experiences during the session.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

Identify and understand modifications that can be used to address how core information processing differences of Autism can affect treatment
Explain the importance of incorporating a strengths - based perspective into case conceptualization when utilizing ERP working with autism patients.
Discuss the importance of listening to autistics and learn therapist strategies of fostering listening in and out of session as well as learn ways that autistics can self-advocate in the mental health community

Presented by:

Rebecca Sachs, Ph.D., and Max Wilson

The Intersection of Eating Disorders, Weight Stigma, & Diet Culture

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:07:57 GMT

2.5 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This workshop offers a unique multidisciplinary perspective on the complex interplay between eating disorders, weight stigma, and diet culture. Drawing insights from psychology, sociology, and nutrition, we will unravel the intricate connections that contribute to perpetuating harmful narratives and societal expectations related to body image and weight. Participants will gain insights into the origins of these societal constructs, with opportunities for self-reflection on their weight biases and how diet culture may have influenced both their beliefs and professional practices. Additionally, we will introduce practical strategies for addressing weight stigma and diet culture within their professional contexts, including guidance on recognizing when to refer individuals to an eating disorder specialist.

Workshop Objectives:

Discuss the impact of weight stigma and diet culture and their role in the development and perpetuation of eating disorders.
Apply practical tools and strategies to challenge diet culture and address weight stigma in treatment environments

About the Presenters:

Carolyn Karoll, LCSW-C, CEDS-S, is a highly regarded therapist dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders. Possessing a Maryland State Board-Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker designation and approved supervisor status, she is distinguished as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and an Approved Consultant by the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy for Eating Disorders.

Carolyn's insights are featured in various media outlets, including her Psychology Today blog, "Eating Disorder Recovery: Understanding and Overcoming Eating Disorders." She also co-authors the book Eating Disorder Group Therapy: A Collaborative Approach.

Facilitating Adherence and Responding to Resistance in Clinical Work with Youth

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:04:19 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

In the presenter's experience as a CE presenter and supervisor, the number one concern raised by those working with youth is, "how do I deal with resistant kids/teens/parents/teachers?!" This training will examine practical applications of the available science on how to establish adherence with the major players when doing clinical work with youth ages 4 to 18. Inevitably, adherence strategies are insufficient, so also reviewed will be practical applications of the research on effective ways of responding to resistance. Teaching methods will include slides, videos, humor, case illustrations, Q & A and magic, the latter of which is also a tool that will be reviewed for adherence building and resistance softening.

Workshop Objectives:

Participants will learn how to apply the guidelines developed by the Pennsylvania Pediatric Mental Health Task Force for doing outpatient mental health evaluations on youth.
Participants will learn how to integrate the top three methods for establishing adherence when doing clinical work with youth.
Participants will know how to use at least five practical methods for responding to resistance when doing clinical work with youth.

About the Presenters:

David Palmiter is a clinical psychologist who earned his Ph.D. from the George Washington University. Currently, he is the Clinical Director at the Chesapeake Center in Bethesda, Maryland and a Professor Emeritus at Marywood University. He is board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. David also serves on the national board of directors of CHADD and is a past President of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. He has authored over three dozen publications–including two books on promoting resilience in youth–completed over 250 presentations for 60 + sponsors around the country and partnered to complete > 300 media projects for outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and CNN.

Evaluating & Treating Adult ADHD for Psychotherapists

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:01:48 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Meets the MD Licensing Requirement for Laws/Ethics or Risk Management

Meets PsyPact requirement for annual renewal

Intermediate - Psychologists who have experience in the content area or are familiar with the literature.

Workshop Description:

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to

Identify the key elements of contemporary videoconferencing-based research
Identify at least two competencies relevant to the use of videoconferencing in psychological practice
Describe at least three pertinent factors related to the provision of video-based services for psychological care.

Presenter:

Jonathan Perle, Ph.D.

Expert Witness Testimony

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:01:15 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $55
Students - $15

Workshop Description:

The workshop is intended to help attendees understand the nature of expert witness testimony as well as testify in an ethical and effective manner. I will review the stages and goals of expert witness testimony. I will include a discussion of what the professional literature and research has identified as important elements which will include a focus on the issue of diversity.

Workshop Objectives:

To understand the nature of expert witness testimony. Maintaining an appreciation of the definition helps guide ethical behavior.
To understand the steps involved in expert witness testimony.
To understand the goals of expert witness testimony.
To be aware of strategies that can enhance one's ability to testify.
To be mindful of various ethical issues associated with testifying.

About the Presenters:

After providing clinical services at Sinai Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Hospital for several years, I developed an independent practice in forensic psychology and eventually became board certified in forensic psychology. I am licensed in Maryland as well as Washington, DC. Relevant to the proposed talk, I have testified as expert witness in approximately 200 times in several state and federal courts. The focus of my practice is in criminal forensic psychology and includes addressing psycho-legal issues such as competency, criminal responsibility, disputed confessions/Miranda, waiver of jurisdiction, and presentencing matters.

Mindfulness for Clients & Ourselves: Concepts, Benefits, & Practices

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:25:30 GMT

2.5 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $130
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

Mindfulness and mindfulness-based therapies have recently gained attention in behavioral health. This intermediate workshop will present an overview of the concepts, benefits, and practices of mindfulness. This workshop will present ways to teach clients to engage in the present moment, with their internal experiences, and how to apply mindfulness practices in therapy. Participants will learn how to bring mindfulness to their role as therapists as well as into daily life.

Throughout this interactive workshop, participants will discuss and learn mindfulness skills, practices, and techniques. We will discuss how multicultural factors including age, gender, religion, and spirituality may impact using mindfulness with clients. Empirical support for the efficacy of mindfulness and helpful resources for further learning will also be presented.

Workshop Objectives:

Explain and define what mindfulness is. (And what it is not.)
Explain the importance of a person's being connected with their internal experiences and of being more present-moment focused.
Apply specific mindfulness practices in therapy.
Anticipate and address concerns and misconceptions clients raise related to mindfulness practices.
Apply specific mindfulness practices in your own personal professional life.
List and recommend resources for further learning and additional practice.

About the Presenters:

I am a Licensed Psychologist in private practice. I provide individual counseling and psychotherapy for teens, adults and older adults. My therapeutic style is supportive, collaborative and includes cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, evidence-based, and mindfulness approaches.

I have expertise in treating depression, anxiety disorders, stress, relationship issues, eating disorders, and insomnia. I also work with clients to navigate life transitions and adjust to change. I have successfully helped people deal with relationship break-ups, grief, chronic pain, job-loss, and retirement.

I am skilled in and enjoy giving presentations and workshops. I have presented locally, nationally, and internationally on topics including mindfulness, stress reduction, counselor training, career development, multicultural diversity, and workplace change.

Supervision with Impact: Bridging Ethics, Expertise, & Empathy

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:06:03 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

High-quality supervision plays a vital role in improving client outcomes in clinical settings (Snowdon, Leggat, & Taylor, 2017) and reducing professional burnout and disengagement among mental health practitioners (Johnson, Corker, & O’Connor, 2021). It provides a valuable space for clinicians to strengthen their therapeutic techniques, expand their theoretical understanding, and implement research-informed practices. Supervision also cultivates a collaborative and trusting dynamic between supervisors and supervisees, which is essential for professional growth. Designing an effective supervisory approach that incorporates these core elements calls for thoughtful preparation and flexible implementation. This workshop will delve into the ethical foundations that underpin clinical supervision and offer practical tools for tailoring supervision using the Integrated Developmental Model. Through interactive exercises, participants will practice applying ethical reasoning to real-world supervision scenarios.

Workshop Objectives:

Examine how supervision practices can be tailored using the Integrated Developmental Model.
Identify effective methods for tracking and evaluation supervisee growth throughout clinical training.
Integrated ethical standards into supervision approaches to support supervisees' professional competency.
Utilize an ethical decision-making model when navigating challenges in supervision case discussions.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Rachel Singer (she/her) is one of the Clinical Directors at Resnik and Associates, and a faculty at the University of Maryland. She previously directed and ran a Postdoctoral Fellowship training program, and has supervised Masters, Ph.D., and Psychology Associate supervisees. She previously taught at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Singer earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She completed a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In addition to her clinical background and training, Dr. Singer also regularly presents at national conferences, publishes research in peer-reviewed journals, and writes academic book chapters on a variety of subjects.

Utilizing Neuropsychology and Adaptive Skill Assessment to Inform Disability Eligibility Determination

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:04:24 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

The current presentation will review the unique lens that neuropsychology and clinical psychology bring to the application review process for individuals applying for services through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Specific emphasis on conditions that often present severe adaptive dysfunction without intellectual disability, such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and late effects of pediatric cancer will be presented. Moreover, this presentation will review assessment approaches that can assist in eligibility determinations, including a comprehensive evaluation of adaptive functioning. Discussion will include a review of cases deemed eligible for DDA services and those deemed ineligible.

Workshop Objectives:

Identify what areas of functional impairment typically result from various neurodevelopment disorders (e.g., intellectual developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder), and psychiatric conditions (e.g., anxiety, mood and trauma disorders).
Describe the various ways in which therapists, psychologists and neuropsychologists can integrate specific assessment approaches into their work to assist in eligibility determinations, including genetic testing and comprehensive functional interviewing.
Engage in interactive discussions about what data informs Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) determination of why someone may be deemed eligible or ineligible for services.

About the Presenters:

Shruti Rane, PhD, ABPP

T. Andrew Zabel, PhD, ABPP

Rachel Peterson, PhD, ABPP

Elgiz Sener, PhD, ABPP

When Anxiety Affects Education: Evidence-Based Treatment of School Avoidance in Both Autistic and Neurotypical Youth

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:02:26 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This presentation will focus on evidence-based interventions for school avoidance in neurotypical and neurodiverse populations. Specifically, this presentation will review the need for diagnostic, dimensional, and functional assessment. We will discuss the importance of understanding the underlying core fear or other obstacles and barriers to reentry. We will discuss a comprehensive protocol that includes comprehensive assessment including the rule out of subtle learning differences that may have escaped the schools attention, including working memory and processing speed challenges. We will outline individual child-focused treatment with an emphasis on psychoeducation, exposure therapy, cultivating self-efficacy, violating expectancies. We will discuss the critical importance of parent training that ficsyes psychoeducation regarding the role of avoidance in maintaining anxiety, differentiating between accommodation that is appropriate and those that enable avoidance, and active skills building in order to use differential reinforcement effectively. We will outline effective strategies and approaches to engage in active school consultation during the reentry process including decreasing uncertainty. Lastly, the structure and process of a school avoidance therapy group of same age peers that enables observational learning, the vicarious development of self efficacy, scaffolded connection, and opportunities for exposure with the same-aged peer group will be presented.

Furthermore, this presentation will emphasize the important differences in working with a neurodiverse population with a specific focus on the important distinction between anxiety and dread, fear, and overstimulation, and the appropriate use of sensory accommodations, among others.

Workshop Objectives:

Participants will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding the diagnostic, dimensional, and functional assessment of youth engaging in school avoidance.
Participants will be able to use specific evidence-based skills designed to reduce school avoidant behavior among neurotypical and neurodiverse students.
Participants will be able to implement a comprehensive protocol to assist students in their return to learn following school avoidance.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Dalton is a licensed psychologist, public speaker, and author who founded the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change (CABC) in Rockville, MD, which is a private treatment center dedicated to using evidence-based treatment for patients with anxiety disorders. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Villanova University, a master's degree in psychology from The Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University with a specialization in child and family psychology. He completed two years of pre-doctoral training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - Kennedy Krieger Institute, and advanced postdoctoral training at the Maryland Center for Anxiety Disorders at the University of Maryland. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with a particular focus on anxiety-based school refusal. He frequently provides training to other mental health professionals and presents to community organizations.

Making the Tough Call: Ethical & Legal Challenges in the Reporting of Suspected Child Maltreatment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:00:45 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

Many professionals throughout the United States are mandated reporters of suspected child maltreatment. However, the legal requirement to report is often confusing to navigate in relation to our other professional and ethical responsibilities. This workshop provides profession-based context to the role of mandated reporter. Mandated reporters will learn a framework to guide the decision to make this “tough call” using research findings and practical advice based on real case examples.

Workshop Objectives:

Participants will understand considerations for determining when making a report to child protective services is required by law.
Participants will identify the ethical/ moral and legal conundrums faced when making the decision to report.
Participants will apply a framework to guide the process for deciding whether to make a report.

About the Presenters:

Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W., Principal Consultant with Krase Consultant, is an expert on the professional reporting of suspected child maltreatment. She has authored multiple books and articles on the subject. She has years of experience consulting with government and community-based organizations to develop policy & practice standards.

The APA Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology: History, Revisions and Review

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:52:41 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

The workshop will begin with an overview of telepsychology, including its historical development, empirical support, and the ethical and legal issues that have emerged as telehealth services have expanded. Participants will explore the theoretical and research-based foundations of telepsychology, including studies on the efficacy of telehealth interventions, patient outcomes, and ethical considerations related to virtual service delivery.

A core focus of the workshop will be the APA’s Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology, with a detailed comparison of the 2013 and 2024 versions. The session will highlight key revisions in the updated guidelines and discuss their implications for clinical practice, professional ethics, and risk management.

Workshop Objectives:

List three key differences between the 2013 and 2024 APA Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology and explain their significance.
Describe three major ethical, legal, and risk management considerations in telepsychology and how the revised guidelines address these issues.
Design strategies for integrating the revised guidelines into telepsychology practice, with a focus on mitigating risks related to licensure, confidentiality, informed consent, and technology use.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Sara Smucker Barnwell is a licensed clinical psychologist, providing consultation and clinical care in telepsychology. She is a nationally recognized expert, speaker, and author in behavioral telehealth. She was the Chair of the 2024 APA Telepsychology Guidelines revision and contributes to various policy organizations dedicated to ethical telehealth. As a consultant, Dr. Smucker Barnwell works with organizations and individuals to address intersectional themes of behavioral health, regulation, and well-being. As an independent practitioner, she provides evidence-based telepsychological care. Sara received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California, and holds degrees from Harvard University and Wellesley College. She is a Trustee and Executive Committee Member on the Trust Board of Trustees. She is the current President and Chair of TrustPARMA.

Exploring the Practical and Ethical Use of AI in Psychological Practice

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:49:57 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This workshop aims to provide psychologists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) into their clinical practice. Speaker will explore a range of AI-enabled tools applicable to diverse mental health settings, develop strategies for identifying opportunities to implement AI and digital technologies to enhance client outcomes, and learn how to select and seamlessly incorporate the most appropriate technologies into their therapeutic work. Additionally, the workshop will address critical ethical considerations associated with AI use in mental healthcare and examine the potential of generative AI tools in supporting and elevating psychological interventions and automated session summaries. The workshop integrates didactic presentations, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussions, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. By the end of the session, attendees will have a solid foundation in AI concepts, understand various use cases for AI across psychological service settings, and be prepared to apply these insights and tools in their clinical, educational, supervisory, or organizational work.

Workshop Objectives:

Describe core concepts of artificial and augmented intelligence and how they apply to psychological service delivery.
Identify at least three practical ways AI tools can be integrated into clinical, supervisory, or administrative workflows.
Evaluate ethical and equity-related considerations when selecting or recommending digital mental health tools.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Shiri Sadeh-Sharvit is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor of Research at Palo Alto University. With over 20 years of experience treating complex mental health conditions, she specializes in integrating evidence-based interventions with digital tools and artificial intelligence to improve access and quality of care.

Dr. Sadeh-Sharvit has led clinical innovation efforts in both academic and industry settings, including serving as Chief Clinical Officer at Eleos Health, where she helped design AI-powered tools to support psychotherapists. She is a widely invited speaker on ethical AI integration in mental healthcare, and her work has been featured by the American Psychological Association, Academy for Eating Disorders, and other national and international organizations.

Addressing Complex Comorbidity with the Unified Protocol - Intermediate Workshop

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:47:09 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

The Unified Protocol (UP) offers a transdiagnostic framework for treating emotional disorders in real-world clinical contexts—where comorbidity is the rule, not the exception. This intermediate-level workshop is designed for clinicians who are already familiar with the core modules of the UP (or are well-versed in CBT, generally) and are ready to deepen their understanding through a practical, case-based approach.

We will follow the full course of treatment for a patient presenting with dental phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder. Through this case, attendees will explore how UP skills—including mindful emotion awareness, cognitive flexibility, and emotion-focused exposures—are implemented and adapted to address overlapping and interacting symptom presentations.

The workshop will include:

A review of clinical decision-making when targeting multiple co-occurring emotional disorders.
Demonstrations of how to flexibly deliver and sequence UP modules based on idiographic case formulation.
Audio vignettes and detailed case material illustrating how the UP addresses avoidance patterns, anticipatory anxiety, and depressive anhedonia
Opportunities for participants to engage in experiential exercises and collaborative problem-solving.

This session is ideal for clinicians who want to sharpen their UP skills and gain confidence in delivering the protocol to patients with complex clinical presentations.

Workshop Objectives:

Participants will develop a unified, transdiagnostic case conceptualization for patients presenting with comorbid emotional disorders.
Participants will apply emotion-focused treatment concepts and strategies (e.g., objective monitoring, emotional awareness training, cognitive reappraisal, reduction of emotional avoidance and maladaptive emotion driven behaviors) to patients presenting with comorbid emotional disorders.
Participants will create effective and cohesive emotion exposures for patients with depression and complex comorbidities.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Sauer-Zavala is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky (UK) and is the founding Director of Clinical Services at the UK Clinic for Emotional Health. She is also the Director of Compass Mental Health Consultation, LLC, an organization with a mission to train mental health providers and organizations in cutting-edge evidence-based interventions. Dr. Sauer-Zavala received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from UK in 2011; she completed her predoctoral internship at Duke University Medical Center and her postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University. She then spent seven years on the faculty in BU’s Department of Psychological and Brain Science before returning home to UK in 2019. Her research is focused on exploring personality-based mechanisms that maintain psychological symptoms and using this information to develop more targeted, easily-disseminated intervention strategies. Her research has been supported by NIMH, NIAAA, Templeton Foundation, the Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences, and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Dr. Sauer-Zavala has co-authored over 140 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books. In particular, she is a co-developer of the Unified Protocol and, more recently, BPD Compass. Email Dr. Sauer-Zavala at ssz@personality-compass.com and follow her on Twitter/X at @SauerZavala or Instagram at @self.made.personality .

2025 Review of New Laws and Regulations that Impact the Practice of Psychology in Maryland

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:41:04 GMT

3 Ethics CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This workshop will focus on recent changes in state law impacting mental health professionals in Maryland. Maryland legislation from the 2025 Maryland General Assembly will be reviewed including bills that failed and those that were enacted into law. In addition, the presentation will include a discussion changes to Maryland’s telehealth law and a brief review of PSYPACT and Proposed Revisions to Rule 4 and Rule 5. We will also discuss MPA’s involvement in state and federal advocacy and opportunities for members to participate in advocacy efforts. A PowerPoint presentation will be used to stimulate presentation and discussion of these various issues.

Workshop Objectives:

Discuss legislation considered by the Maryland legislature in 2025 which impact the practice of psychology.
Explain the impact of the changes in Maryland law regarding telehealth and professional practice.
Discuss PSYPACT and interstate telehealth practice.

About the Presenters:

Paul C. Berman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Towson, Maryland. His practice focuses on family law matters including child forensic evaluations, custody evaluations, fitness to parent evaluations, domestic violence evaluations, sexual abuse evaluations and parent coordinator work. Dr. Berman was also Director of the Towson Addictions Center until 2019 and provided comprehensive assessment, education and treatment services for individuals with alcohol and other drug related problems.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Berman has been actively involved with legal, ethical, and legislative issues related to the practice of psychology. Since September 1993, Dr. Berman has worked part-time for the Maryland Psychological Association as Professional Affairs Officer. He serves as a liaison for psychologists with managed care/insurance companies, State agencies, and other professional associations.

Psychologists as advocates within clinical practice, education, & public policy

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:26:31 GMT

2 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This workshop aims to expand the knowledge of psychologists on how to integrate social justice advocacy into their various professional roles. Social justice advocacy may include the act of speaking up or taking action to make environmental changes on behalf of clients, influencing public policy outcomes with and/on behalf of vulnerable groups, communities, and society. In addition, we will discuss how to generally promote human values of equality and justice in all aspects of psychologist’s work. human values of equality and justice in all aspects of our work as psychologists. This workshop will educate the audience on how advocacy is incorporated into clinical practice, supervision and training, education, and public policy initiatives led by psychologists. Attendees will then engage in a dialogue with advocacy experts in clinical practice, supervision, education, and public policy about how to develop and apply specific skills in these areas of interest.

Workshop Objectives:

Define social justice advocacy and the specific guideline and competencies that inform psychologists as advocates.
Describe various ways in which psychologists integrate social justice advocacy into clinical practice, supervision and training, education, and public policy.
Engage in interactive discussions about how to apply an advocacy framework to your professional area(s) of interest (i.e., clinical practice, supervision and training, education, and public policy).

About the Presenters:

Susan Ferradas

Jon Gorman is a licensed psychologist in Maryland. He is an assistant clinical professor at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, where he supervises doctoral students and teaches a course to first-year Psy.D. students on community outreach and advocacy. He has a private practice in Towson, MD with a specialty in treating clients with distress related to climate change. He has been an active member of the MPA Legislative Committee since 2017. For the past few years Jon has also served on the Joint Outreach and Advocacy Committee of the Climate Psychology Alliance and Climate Psychiatry Alliance, and as part of this committee, he has been participating in legislative advocacy, giving presentations to legislators around the country on the mental health impacts of climate change.

Dr. Shalena Heard is a licensed psychologist who serves as the co-director of the Pathways to Young Adulthood Clinic under the Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment (CNaP) at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Heard also maintains a part time private practice Purposeful Assessment, Consultation, and Training Services, LLC. In addition to her clinical roles, she's an affiliate faculty member in Loyola University Maryland’s Department of Psychology. . Dr. Heard attained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College. She then completed graduate training at Howard University where she attained her master’s in counseling psychology degree and later received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh University. Dr. Heard is passionate about training and supervision, social justice advocacy in personal and professional spaces, and creating equitable access to quality mental health services.

Dr. Amber A. Hewitt, is the Chief Equity Officer for the Government of the District of Columbia. In this role, she works in collaboration with District leadership and agencies to apply a racial equity lens across government operations. In 2018, she was appointed by Mayor Bowser to the Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys. Amber was the Director of Health Equity at Families USA, a national, nonpartisan consumer health advocacy organization. She also previously worked as a health care lobbyist for an integrated, children’s health system. Amber’s background also includes serving as an American Psychological Association/ American Association for the Advancement of Science health policy fellow in the Office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker. She began her career as a tenure-track professor teaching undergraduate and doctorate-level courses in psychology, social justice, multicultural counseling and diversity issues at the University of Akron and Loyola University Chicago. Her research on adolescent identity development and well-being, with a special focus on Black boys and young men, has been published in several top-tier academic journals. A counseling psychologist by training, Amber has provided psychotherapy and psychoeducational testing for children and families. She received her B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Southern California, M.A. in psychology from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago. She holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Simmons University.

Jessica M. Smedley, PsyD is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a long history of providing direct care and psychological evaluations to adults, children and families across several geographic locations. Dr. Smedley completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Riverside, and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis from University of San Francisco. Dr. Smedley completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, where she also completed two additional Masters' Degrees in Christian Leadership and Clinical Psychology, respectively. Her dissertation work was focused in the areas of trauma and spirituality in urban communities. Dr. Smedley continues to be present in academic settings and currently holds adjunct faculty appointments at The George Washington University and Howard University. .

Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT): an evidence-based, non-exposure treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:30:07 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $130
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) has been the recommended first-line treatment for OCD for decades. While effective, recent comprehensive meta-analyses of ERP show clinically significant change (CSC) for just 50% of sufferers (Öst et al., 2015 & Reid et al., 2021). In this workshop, an evidence-based alternative to ERP will be presented. I-CBT is a unique reasoning-based cognitive treatment specifically designed for OCD. This overview of the treatment model and its conceptualization of OCD will include how obsessions are created by a faulty reasoning narrative referred to as inferential confusion and how reducing inferential confusion treats OCD. The current state of empirical support will also be discussed.

Workshop Objectives:

Attendees will be able to conceptualize OCD from an I-CBT model.
Attendees will be able to distinguish inferential confusion from normal intrusive thoughts

About the Presenters:

Mike Heady, LCPC is the Co-Owner & Co-Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland where he has specialized in the treatment of OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions for the last 16-years. He is a faculty member of the IOCDF’s Training Institute and is a regular presenter at annual conferences for the IOCDF and ADAA. He provides regular consultation to therapists and has produced numerous professional webinars on topics related to OCD treatment as well as trainings in ERP and ICBT. He has appeared on several podcasts discussing shame, intimacy, perfectionism, ERP, I-CBT, and other OCD related issues.

Problem Solving Therapy

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:26:39 GMT

3 CE Credits

Members - $90
Non-members - $140
Students - $40

Workshop Description:

This workshop will be an introduction to Problem-Solving Therapy, which is a very practical Evidence Based Therapy protocol for anxiety, depression, and life stress.

Workshop Objectives:

Be able to describe appropriate uses of Problem Solving Therapy.
Be able to us Problem Solving Skills to regulate difficult emotions and manage brain overload.
Describe and guide clients through playful problem solving strategies.

About the Presenters:

Ann Aspnes, PhD, ABPP, leads a small online therapy practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Maryland, which specializes in the delivery of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Duke University in 2008. Before bringing her practice to the community, she worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for over 10 years as a therapist, national Therapy Consultant/Trainer, and Subject Matter Expert in Evidence-Based Psychotherapies. In her final years with the VA, she served as the Program Coordinator and Lead Trainer of the Problem-Solving Training Evidence-Based
Psychotherapy Dissemination Initiative.

Body Liberation: Challenging Anti-Fat Bias in Mental Health

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:21:21 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $55
Students - $15

Workshop Description:

This course explores the pervasive impact of anti-fat bias within mental health systems and clinical practice. Students and professionals will examine the historical, cultural, and systemic roots of fatphobia and how it manifests in mental health care, from diagnostic overshadowing to treatment disparities. Through critical readings, personal reflection, and interactive discussions, participants will learn to identify implicit and explicit biases, challenge harmful narratives about body size, and adopt more inclusive, weight-neutral approaches to mental health care. Emphasis will be placed on social justice, intersectionality, and advocacy, with the goal of cultivating compassionate, equitable, and affirming environments for clients of all sizes.

Workshop Objectives:

Recognize and articulate how anti-fat bias manifests in mental health care, including its historical, cultural, and systemic roots.
Identify personal and professional biases related to body size and reflect on how these biases may influence therapeutic relationships and clinical decision-making.
Evaluate the impact of weight stigma on the mental health and well-being of clients in diverse bodies, especially at the intersections of race, gender, disability, and class.

About the Presenters:

Kayla (She/Her) is a Licensed Therapist, specializing in Fat Activism, Fat Liberation Education and exploring Fat Trauma within the therapy relationship. She is the founder and owner of Intuitive Growth Counseling and provides training to fellow mental health providers on anti-fat bias. Through intuitive eating and becoming a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Kayla was introduced and easily transitioned into body politics. Kayla is passionate about spreading Fat Liberation and facilitates retreats to promote fat community and explore body freedom. The foundation of Kayla's work focuses on social justice and how racism and ableism facilitates body oppression.

Thank you for your support and celebrating PSYPACT with MPA

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:49 GMT

Thank you to everyone who attended our PSYPACT celebration on Sunday, August 22. While the weather prevented an outdoor event, we were able to maintain a socially distant celebration as we raised a glass to our members and colleagues who made this victory possible. Thanks to your support, we raised over $5,000 for MPA PAC which played a large role in bringing PSYPACT to Maryland by supporting our legislative champions in Annapolis. Congratulations MPA!

MPA Legislative Update

5/21/21 - MARYLAND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO PSYPACT! WE ARE ALL OF THE WAY THERE!

Those interested in joining PSYPAC begin applying to the program. Anyone who completed the application to PSYPACT and was denied because Maryland were not a PSYPACT state at the time of your application: be patient. PSYPACT will be reversing those denials without you having to do anything, they are in process now. If you are qualified, you will be approved.

If anyone has already applied and been accepted in to PSYPACT through another state, i.e., Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, etc. you don't need to reapply to assign Maryland as your home state. You go to the PSYPACT portal, which you should be familiar with and change your home state to Maryland and you can practice out of Maryland into another PSYPACT state. If you then go back to say Virginia the next day, you reverse the process. In other words once you are approved by PSYPACT you can change your home state as needed via their internet portal. Please note that this means you have to be licensed in each state you identify as a home state. For folks already PSYPACT approved, you can start practicing from Maryland under PSYPACT today. .well maybe tomorrow after you change your home state.

Here is a link to the PSYPACT website that will help get you started on the application process as it provides answers to the most commonly ask questions: https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/appfaq

Lastly keep your eyes and ears open, MPA will be putting more information out as we receive it and holding workshops, if there is an interest to provide you our members with the ability to take advantage of this opportunity. We are on our way into the 21st Century. "To infinity and Beyond."

5/18/21: Governor Hogan signs HB 970 into law. PSYPACT is heading to Maryland! A big thanks to MPA member Dr. Cheryl Rubenstein for helping to secure the picture of the bill signing.

To everyone who wrote an email, responded to our action alerts, called their legislator, testified on behalf of PSYPACT...

THANK YOU!

4/6/21: SB 500 has cleared the Senate with the same Emergency Legislative designation as HB 970. The bill is headed to Governor Hogan for his signature.

4/1/21: HB 970 has cleared the Senate and is on its way to Governor Hogan for his signature.

3/18/21: HB 970 passed out of the House of Delegates! Now, it will go to the Senate for review and vote.

3/16/21: SB 500 passes out of the State Senate. Now, it will go the House of Delegates for review and vote.

3/11/21: PSYPACT passed out of the Health and Government Operations subcommittee today UNANIMOUSLY!!!!!!!!!! It was also amended to be Emergency Legislation, which means as soon as it is signed into law it goes into effect. Most laws take effect October 1 of the year in which they are passed.

3/5/21: The Senate Education, Health and Environment Committee favorably reported SB 500 out of committee by a unanimous 10-0 vote! The bill is expected to receive a vote on the Senate Floor next week. Please ask your Senator to support SB 500 through our Action Alert .

2/25/21: House Health and Government Operations Committee Hearing on HB 970

2/16/21: Senate Education, Health and Environment Committee Hearing on SB 500

2/5/21: PSYPACT has been introduced in the Maryland State House. The bill number is HB 970 (PSYPACT)

1/21/21: The PSYPACT bill has been introduced in the Maryland State Senate. The bill number is SB 500 (PSYPACT)

Legislators to Contact

The legislators below serve on the jurisdictional committees in the Maryland General Assembly that will take up PSYPACT when the bill is officially introduced. MPA is asking members to contact these legislators and encourage them to support PSYPACT. With your help, we can get PSYPACT approved in Maryland!

Take action on PSYPACT - MPA's Action Alert on PSYPACT. Click the link to send a message to your legislator(s) asking them to support SB 500 and HB 970.

How to find your legislator in the Maryland General Assembly (link) - Under Find My Representative, Click "Look up". Then write your address and zip code and click "Find". This will pull a list of your local representatives.

Sample letter to your legislator (link) - This is a sample letter on PSYPACT you can use in communicating with your legislator.

Legislator Contact Form (link) - Once you contact your legislator(s), use this form to provide any feedback to MPA.

PSYPACT Application Process

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:48 GMT

Link to the PSYPACT E. Passport (telehealth) application

Link to temporary in-person practice through PSYPACT

Link to PSYPACT application/practice FAQs

Missed our June 28 PSYPACT webinar with Paul Berman and PSYPACT Executive Director Janet Orwig? Here's the videos

Recorded on Monday, June 28, 2021

This is a NON CE event.

Just looking for step-by-step information on how to complete the application?

From Paul Berman

Janet Orwig, Executive Director of PSYPACT, provided me with some additional information she asked me to post on our listserve regarding the PSYPACT application process. These issues were discussed during the June workshop, but she asked that I post the following to clarify some answers provided during the workshop.

PSYPACT applications require that the graduate school transcript be sent directly by the university to PSYPACT by mail or email.

Email address: transcripts@asppb.org
USPS snail mail address: P. O. Box 849 Tyrone, GA 30290 is the mailing address.

The Educational Section for the application requests more information than is necessary (the other sections are required for other applications at ASPPB, but not required for the E.Passport or IPC). The following only need to be completed in this section:

Institution Name
City
State/Province
Department
Program of Study
Degree
Date Degree Conferred

Also, please note: the Verification of the Program section located at the bottom of the Education Section does not need to be completed (any necessary verifications will be done by PSYPACT).

PSYPACT FAQs

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:46 GMT

MPA members have been asking questions about the implementation of PSYPACT. Below are answers to frequently asked questions.

Change in Requirements for PSYPACT Participation

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:45 GMT

As a result of good advocacy work, The PSYPACT Commission recently changed the criteria for the E.Passport. This is a significant change since the E.Passport is required for participation in PSYPACT. The change specifically involves individuals who received their doctorate prior to January 1, 1985.

Old language required graduation from an APA accredited program or a program jointly designated by the National Register and ASPPB (essentially programs that were on their way to accreditation). Unfortunately, a number of our more experienced and more senior psychologists graduated in the 1980s at a time when some programs were not yet APA accredited. The proposed changed was to allow psychologists to have graduated from a regionally accredited program prior to some specific date.

The PSYPACT Commission did change the criteria for psychologists who graduated with a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited program prior to January 1, 1985. The PSYPACT Commission deemed that an individual who graduated from a regionally accredited program prior to January 1, 1985 and has been continuously licensed is deemed to have met the E.Passport educational requirements.

The change was effective immediately. The specific language change is immediately below:

“6. Do I have to have graduated from an APA/CPA accredited or Joint Designated program?*

Yes. Eligibility requirements state that the degree program must have been accredited by the American Psychological Association/ Canadian Psychological Association or designated by the ASPPB National Register Joint Designation Project ( https://www.asppb.net/page/JointDesignation ) at the time your degree was conferred in order to be eligible.

Please note: Applicants who have been continuously licensed (active or inactive) to practice psychology at the independent level in one or more ASPPB member jurisdictions since January 1, 1985, based on a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, are deemed to have met the educational requirements for the E. Passport and/or Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC).”

*(see: https://www.asppb.net/page/telepsychology )

Telehealth and Insurance

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:44 GMT

A question we frequently receive from MPA members is how insurance will treat telehealth services. The following is courtesy of our Director of Professional Affairs Paul Berman.

Maryland law requires that every traditional insurance (and only 50% of people actually have traditional insurance) plan in Maryland have a benefit for telehealth to be paid at the same rate as in-person services. The problem is, that only about half of Maryland’s citizens (and in the US) have traditional insurance. The others have what is known as a health plan whose benefits are actually paid by the employer – these are known as self-insured plans. Self-insured plans are not regulated by the states. So, they decide whether they maintain telehealth benefits or not. Traditional insurance cards and self-insured health benefit cards look the same. The only way you can tell is by calling and finding out. Or, you can guess that if the employer operates in more than one state, then most likely the health benefit is not state-regulated.

Bottom line

Some self-insured companies are pulling back on telehealth coverage. APA and MPA, and others, are advocating for legislation already introduced in Washington DC which would require the self-insured plans to maintain telehealth coverage. But there is no way to know if this will pass.

The Bottom, Bottom-line

No one knows. But you can be sure that anyone with traditional insurance will maintain telehealth coverage.

PSYPACT

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:10:37 GMT

PSYPACT is a compact enacted into law by participating states that allows the practice of psychological services via tele-communications technologies within compact states by licensed psychologists. PSYPACT authorizes both telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state lines in PSYPACT states. PSYPACT allows states to maintain the authority to regulate telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice. MPA actively pursued PSYPACT in Maryland during the 2021 Maryland Legislative Session and won!

How PSYPACT works

PSYPACT Summary

Why is PSYPACT important?

PSYPACT Fact Sheet: Reducing Regulatory Barriers. Increasing Access to Mental Health Care

Interstate Compacts to Support License Portability

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Your Clinical Practice A Comprehensive Guide

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:08:49 GMT

1.5 CE Credits

Members - $30
Non-members - $55
Students - $15

Workshop Description:

This workshop is designed to provide participants the understanding and skills necessary to apply artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their clinical practice. Attendees will delve into a variety of AI technologies that can be applied in clinical environments (including chatbots, apps, and documentation tools), acquire affective strategies for pinpointing opportunities to apply technology for the benefit of clients, and learn how to choose and incorporate the most appropriate digital tools. We will also examine the supportive role of generative AI tools, such as chatGPT, in augmenting psychological interventions. Finally, we will discuss the ethical implications of using AI in mental healthcare.

Workshop Objectives:

Identify the types of AI-enhanced psychological services suitable for various clinical needs.
Develop readiness to integrate AI tools into clinical practice in a way that respects and acknowledges diversity.

About the Presenters:

Shiri Sadeh-Sharvit, PhD is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Research at Palo Alto University. With a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from Bar Ilan University, her Expertise spans various domains, including integrating technology into therapeutic practices, addressing parent-child relationships, and mitigating transgenerational transmission of mental health issues. Dr. Sadeh-Sharvit's extensive research portfolio includes pioneering studies on digital interventions for eating disorders. As Director of Training at the Center for m2Health and Chief Clinical Officer at Eleos Health, she leads initiatives at the intersection of psychology and technology, contributing significantly to advancing mental healthcare accessibility and efficacy.

Ethics Under Pressure: Managing Bias, Countertransference, and Safety in Supervision/Consultation

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:06:25 GMT

3 Ethics or Supervision Credits

Members - $80
Non-members - $110
Students - $30

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Click here to register as a non-member

Workshop Description:

Clinical psychologists are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape marked by epistemicide—the systematic suppression of knowledge— and institutional retrenchment. These forces directly affect how clinicians speak about identity, safety, and lived experience in therapy, supervision, and peer consultation. The stakes are ethical, not political. Psychologists must uphold professional responsibility, safeguard client welfare, maintain competence, and manage countertransference in environments where essential conversations may be discouraged or punished.

This 3-hour ethics workshop gives clinical supervisors and consultants concrete tools to maintain ethical practice, support supervisees effectively, guide consultees, and protect clients from harm. Using the Crawford Bias Reduction Theory & Training (CBRT), participants learn to identify internal reactions, manage stress responses, and intervene skillfully when bias or cultural rupture shows up in therapy, supervision, or consultation.

Workshop Objectives:

Identify specific ethical risks created by epistemicide and institutional retrenchment and explain how these pressures affect clinical competence, supervision quality, and client safety.
Describe the physiological, emotional, and cognitive components of countertransference that arise during culturally charged moments and assess how these reactions influence ethical decision-making in therapy, supervision, and consultation.
Apply the LET-UP framework to demonstrate ethically sound responses to cultural ruptures, bias-based harm, or emotionally reactive interactions with clients, supervisees, or peers.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Dana E. Crawford is a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally recognized speaker who has reshaped how institutions approach equity and healing. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Crawford combines deep psychological expertise with practical frameworks for organizational and cultural transformation.

As the originator of the Crawford Bias Reduction Theory & Training (CBRT), Dr. Crawford has delivered over 400 trainings across healthcare, education, business, and government sectors, reaching thousands of professionals seeking to build more equitable and trauma-informed workplaces. Her work addresses the intersection of nervous system regulation, implicit bias, and systemic change— demonstrating how individual healing creates institutional transformation.

Dr. Crawford's expertise spans PTSD, moral injury, environmental and organizational trauma, and childhood trauma. She is particularly sought after for addressing the nervous system foundations of high performance, leadership resilience, and maternal health equity. Whether speaking to C-suite executives, clinical teams, or educators, she brings authenticity, research-backed frameworks, and the lived wisdom of two decades transforming how we understand bias, trauma, and change.

Recovering from Addiction

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:33:48 GMT

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Parenting Young Children

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:20:19 GMT

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First, Love Yourself

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Independent Together

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:52:47 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

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Writing to Heal Pain

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:52:47 GMT

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Reconnecting After Stress

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:52:47 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

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