Pre-conference Community Forum

Each year, the PASS-SIG holds a Preconvention / Community Forum that pairs with local community members. As ABCT changes location every year, we aim to host a forum that disseminates evidence-based practices for serious mental illness, addresses legal/social/community challenges, offers the insights/perspectives of individuals with lived experiences, and, when possible, provides Continuing Education credits for attendees.

While all are welcome, we aim to serve the local community of that given conference.

2025 Pre-conference Community Forum for New Orleans, LA: In Progress

Past Pre-conference Community Forums

2024 Community Forum for Philadelphia, PA
Engaging the Community in Care for Individuals with Early Psychosis.
Speakers: Barbara Navin, board president, NAMI Lancaster county; Cynthia Blackwell, certified peer specialist; Jennifer Keller, D.N.P., C.P.N.P., P.M.H.S.; Krystal Gamez, Psy.D.; Melissa Nelson, Ed.D.; Monica Calkins, Ph.D.; Crystal Vatza, M.S.C.C., L.P.C., B.H.-T.H.M.
Coordinators: Bryan Stiles, M.S., Lauren McBride, B.A., Krystal Gamez, Psy.D.
Sponsors: HeadsUp, PA; American Psychological Association Division 18, Serious Mental Illness—Severe Emotional Disturbance Section

2023 Community Forum for Seattle, WA
Person-Centered Public Mental Healthcare in the Pacific Northwest.
Speakers: Andrew Jeon, J.D., Ph.D., Andrea Avila, J.D., Ph.D., Andy Prisco, Jacek Haciak, Psy.D.
Coordinators: Bryan Stiles, M.S., Lauren McBride, B.A.
Sponsors: University of Washington SPIRIT Lab, American Psychological Association Division 18, Serious Mental Illness—Severe Emotional Disturbance Section

2022 Community Forum for New York City, NY
Unspoken Frictions: A Multi-Perspective Dialogue on Mental Health & Marginalization. Panel discussion with a live performance from comedian/performing artist/choreographer, Stephanie R. Colón.
Speakers: Stephanie R. Colón, NYCPS, CPMC (Peer Specialist, OnTrackNY), Michael Andersson (Social Worker/NAMI-NYC Metro Volunteer), Charlie Davidson, PhD (Akin Mental Health), Michelle Hammer (schizophrenic.nyc).
Coordinators: Elaina Montague, PhD, Emily Hubbard, MA
Sponsor: American Psychological Association Division 18, Serious Mental Illness—Severe Emotional Disturbance Section

2021 Preconvention Forum for New Orleans, LA (virtual).
Building Treatment Pipelines for Psychosis in Louisiana and Beyond
Speakers: Ashley Weiss, D.O., Aubrey Moe, Ph.D., T. Shavaun Sam, Ph.D., Robert Heinssen, Ph.D.
Coordinator: Michael Masucci, MA
Sponsor: NAMI New York City Metro, Akin Mental Health, University of Pittsburgh

2020 Preconvention Forum for Philadelphia, PA (virtual).
Evidence-Based Approaches to Engaging Individuals and Families in Care.
Speakers: Yaara Zisman-Ilani, Ph.D., Shirley Glynn, Ph.D., Steven Burkitt, LSW, CPRP, Shawn Anderson, CPS, Nev Jones, Ph.D.
Moderators & Coordinators: Aaron Brinen, Psy.D., Elizabeth Thomas, Ph.D., Ivy Tran, MA.
Sponsors: Horizon House Inc., American Psychological Association Division 18, Serious Mental Illness—Severe Emotional Disturbance Section
Planning Partners: Gaudenzia, Inc.; Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition; Community Treatment Teams; Evidence Based Practice and Innovation Center (EPIC) of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability Services 

2019 Preconvention Forum for Atlanta, GA.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Involving Family, Friends, and Other Supportive Persons in Recovery.
Speakers: Laurie Daniel, Piper Meyer-Kalos, Ph.D., LP, Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., Susan Walker Goico, J.D., Kim Mueser, Ph.D., Daniel Shapiro, Ph.D.
Coordinator: Charlie Davidson, Ph.D.
Sponsors: Skyland Trail, Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy
Planning Partners: American Psychological Association Division 18, Serious Mental Illness—Severe Emotional Disturbance Section