2024 Annual Convention

Sessions & Presenters

 

 

Learn more about the sessions and presenters during the Annual Convention.  

Sessions and presenters are listed in alphabetical order. 

Sessions

Evaluating & treating adult ADHD for psychotherapists

This training will review evidence based and practical strategies for (1) completing an outpatient evaluation on adult ADHD, (2) collaborating with clients on the formation of a treatment plan, (3) providing executive function coaching for adults with ADHD, and (4) implementing educational, cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness-based interventions for problems that commonly occur with adult ADHD. A special focus will be placed on helping adults with ADHD foster self-compassion and self-esteem. 

Expert Witness Testimony 

This workshop is intended to help attendees understand the nature of expert witness testimony as well as provide testimony in an effective manner. Attendees will review the stages, goals, challenges, strategies, and ethical obligations associated with expert witness testimony. The workshop will include a discussion of what professional research has identified as important elements of expert witness testimony, including issues of diversity, as identified by academic research. 

Facilitating adherence & responding to resistance in clinical work with youth

In Dr. Palmiter'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. 

How to practice across state lines while adhering to different state regulations 

Led by industry leaders, this workshop promises to be a dynamic exploration of practicing over state lines, focusing on the 20 additional issues that can differ from state to state and which licensed practitioners are expected to address independently. This learning experience will ensure you emerge equipped with the cutting-edge tools to navigate the groundbreaking practice expansion offered by licensure compacts and model acts. It will use PSYPACT, the most advanced of the behavior compacts, as a guide to clarify emerging issues. This training will give providers of all professions a greater understanding of legal and ethical compliance with associated state laws. 

Get Your Life Back: time management, technology, & tips for writing better assessment reports 

If you do testing, you know the love/hate relationship with writing evaluation reports. We start the report with so much excitement and hope for making a difference in our clients' lives, only to limp across the finish line hours (or days) later and collapse like we just ran a marathon. Then we do it again, multiple times a week (at night and on weekends), and wonder if there might be more to life than transcribing scores into tables and swearing at Microsoft Word. 

This interactive workshop will give concrete ideas to reclaim your report-writing life. We'll cover beginner and advanced techniques in three areas: time management, technology, and writing. By the end of the workshop, you will make at least one meaningful change to your report-writing process and have plenty of ideas for the future! 

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

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. 

Mindfulness for Clients & Ourselves: concepts, benefits, & practices 

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. 

Problem Solving Therapy 

Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) is a Cognitive Behavioral-based practice for clients presenting with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety symptoms, adjustment disorder, or behavioral health concerns. PST has been used successfully in numerous settings with varied populations. Short-term protocols have strong evidence as an effective intervention for diabetes management, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in primary care. The full protocol has numerous studies showing efficacy for depression adolescents, Veterans, adults, and older adults. 

PST is based on the stress-diathesis and biosocial models. Basically, when people are overwhelmed by stressors, they are vulnerable to depression and anxiety. This in turn, makes people more avoidant or impulsive in their problem-solving efforts to avoid short-term distress. Unfortunately, these problem-solving styles exacerbate their stress in the long run. The first objective of PST is to provide psychoeducation on problem-solving as a means to practice an optimistic or growth-oriented perspective on addressing current stressors in life.

PST then follows a series of modules, which offer direct skills to adjust problem-solving efforts and alleviate stress. We begin with externalization and visualization as means to break down stressors and make them more manageable. The next module focuses on emotion regulation. The final module uses cognitive restructuring and practice to build a more strategic and optimistic problem-solving style.

In the workshop, therapists will learn how to build clients’ skills to manage their emotional distress and systematically solve both large and mundane problems using this series of modules. The workshop itself includes didactic lectures, clinical demonstrations, and interactive discussions, so that therapists will leave with a basic working knowledge and practical skill at employing these techniques. PST has strong empirical support as a skills-based intervention to reduce psychological distress, increase resilience, and improve functioning in multiple settings, including private practice, behavioral health clinics, and intensive mental health treatment programs.

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

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.   

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

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. 

 

 PRESENTERS

Anne Aspnes, Ph.D. 

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. 

Kris Bronson, Ph.D. 

Dr. Bronson is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice, providing individual counseling and psychotherapy for teens, adults and older adults. Kris’ therapeutic style is supportive, collaborative and includes cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, evidence-based, and mindfulness approaches. Dr. Bronson has expertise in treating depression, anxiety disorders, stress, relationship issues, eating disorders, and insomnia. She also works with clients to navigate life transitions and adjust to change. She has successfully helped people deal with relationship break-ups, grief, chronic pain, job-loss, and retirement. Kris is skilled in and enjoys giving presentations and workshops. She has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on topics including mindfulness, stress reduction, counselor training, career development, multicultural diversity, and workplace change. 

Susana Ferradas, Ph.D. - 

Susana J. Ferradás, Ph.D. has over 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field as a clinician, consultant, educator, and mentor. In her various leadership and consultative roles, Dr. Ferradás has a proven track record of creating a culture of change and innovation through effectively working with multi-disciplinary teams, utilizing data and technological resources, integrating the latest research, and employing strong interpersonal communication skills. Dr. Ferradás received her Ph.D. from Howard University’s APA-accredited Counseling Psychology program in Washington, D.C. She obtained her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Secondary Education from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Her clinical, research, and teaching interests include social justice and advocacy, multiculturalism, and cross-cultural adjustment and identity development. Dr. Ferradás is currently the Director of the Tufts University Counseling and Mental Health Service.

Jon Gorman, Psy.D.

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. 

Michael Heady, MA, LCPC 

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. 

Shalena Heard, Ph.D. 

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. 

Amber Hewitt, Ph.D. 

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. 

Carolyn Karoll, LCSW-C, CEDS-C 

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. 

Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D

Dr. Maheu is a telehealth pioneer, publisher, consultant, author, trainer, and founder of Telehealth.org, LLC. Connecting with more than 6.5 million professionals last year alone, she is in a unique position to help guide newbies through experts through even the most complex of questions. She oversees the monthly publication of 57 telehealth newsletters, and personally writes from 12-15 new blog posts monthly, adding to her company’s 1,250 telehealth blogs. Inspired by many mentors, she has also written five peer-reviewed telehealth textbooks and more than 60 telehealth-related book chapters and journal articles. 

David Palmiter, Ph.D.

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. 

Michael O’Connell, Ph.D. 

After providing clinical services at Sinai Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Hospital for several years, Dr. O’Connell developed an independent practice in forensic psychology and eventually became board certified in forensic psychology. Licensed in Maryland as well as Washington, DC., he has testified as an expert witness approximately 200 times in several state and federal courts. The focus of Dr. O’Connell’s practice is on criminal forensic psychology and includes addressing psycho-legal issues such as competency, criminal responsibility, disputed confessions/Miranda, waiver of jurisdiction, and presentencing matters. 

Jeremy Sharp, Ph.D. 

Dr. Sharp, founder & director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that has grown to nearly 40 clinicians and staff since 2009. Jeremy earned his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting his Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, Dr. Sharp specializes in neurodevelopmental evaluations for kids and adolescents. 

As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Sharp provides private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. Jeremy lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife (also a therapist) and two tweens. 

Adina Silverman, MS, RD, LDN 

Adina Silverman, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later earned a Master’s in Nutrition and Wellness from Benedictine University. 

After working in various levels of care in eating disorder treatment programs, Adina began her private practice in Baltimore, Maryland and continues to see clients in this practice. She is passionate about helping adolescents, teenagers, and adults heal their relationships with food and their bodies. She supports her clients to have the courage to cultivate the relationship with food that feels best to them and reject mainstream diet culture messaging. Her thorough and compassionate approach has impacted many individuals and families and distinguished her as a leader in her professional community.

Adina regularly speaks to students, teachers, mental health professionals, and the public on the topics of eating disorders and cultivating healthy relationships with food. She has spoken at professional conferences and been featured in print media and live news broadcasts.

Adina and Carolyn Karoll, LCSW-C, CEDS-C are co-authors of the book, Eating Disorder Group Therapy: A Collaborative Approach, published in April 2024. Adina and Carolyn co-facilitate the “Thrive” eating disorder recovery group, which they have been leading together since 2016. Adina is energized by the strength and resilience of the women in this group and firmly believes in the transformative power of group work in eating disorder recovery.

New to the West Coast, Adina now resides in San Diego, California with her husband and three children where she continues to run her Maryland-based practice.

Jessica Smedley, Psy.D. 

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.