Presenter: Scott J. Romeika, PsyD; Curtis Thorpe, MA; David Zehrung, PhD; Dan Warner, PhD

W11 - 3 CE Credits - Introductory

40% of Pennsylvanians have a firearm in their home.  When coinciding with mental illness, firearm possession has shown correlation with higher risk for suicide, accidents, and other dangers.  This interactive workshop provides expertise on discussing firearms safety with clients, comprising evidence-based and clinical expertise from multiple viewpoints.

Presenters: Scott J. Romeika, PsyD; Curtis Thorpe, MA; David Zehrung, PhD; Dan Warner, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Apply the public health model to frame and inform firearms harm reduction intervention;
2. Discuss some of the more salient gun cultures encountered in clinical work, and the role of cultural awareness when intervening on issues relevant to guns;
3. Employ evidence-based best practices in client-centered care, including screening, counseling, anticipatory guidance, and follow-up with at-risk clients; and
4. Adapt harm reduction interventions according to particular needs of diversely impacted populations.

Presenter: Erika Dawkins, PsyD; Maribeth Wicoff, PsyD; Julie Radico, PsyD

W13 - 3 CE Credits - Introductory

Learn tools and strategies to help those early on their career path (e.g., students, early career psychologists) navigate leadership styles and opportunities, consider career trajectories including transitions in settings and roles, and recognize and reframe imposter phenomenon thoughts.

Presenters: Erika Dawkins, PsyD; Maribeth Wicoff, PsyD; Julie Radico, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Explain several leadership models and approaches to navigating interpersonal dynamics in leadership;
2. Compare different career trajectories and utilize reflective exercises to identify professional goals; and
3. Describe thought patterns due to the imposter phenomenon and use strategies to combat the phenomenon.

Presenter: Kevin Binning, PhD

W15 - 1 CE Credit - Introductory
Lunch Session - Included in your registration cost

The transition to college is stressful for students from all backgrounds. However, for students from historically marginalized and excluded backgrounds (e.g., students of color, first-generation college students), the transition can be especially fraught. Because of their background, typical adversity is often interpreted as evidence of not belonging. Over the past 8 years, my colleagues and I have developed and piloted a classroom-based, social-psychological intervention that targets this belonging uncertainty. Through a suite of exercises featuring instructor-led discussion, reflective reading and writing, and small-group discussion, the ecological-belonging intervention instills new social norms that adversity in college, particularly during the transition to college, is normal and surmountable. Evidence to date has shown that the approach reduces demographic-based performance disparities, increases behavioral engagement among all students, and has long-term benefits.  Discussion will focus on how audience members may adopt the insights and practices associated with fostering ecological belonging.

Presenter: Kevin Binning, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Create contexts and foster social norms that promote belonging, particularly among demographic groups who have been historically marginalized or excluded

Presenter: David Palmiter, PhD

W17 - 3 CE Credits - Intermediate

Half of the people who get married each year get divorced. Yet, people may obtain a marriage license with zero training. This two-part workshop will review science-based strategies that couples may use to promote wellness when time is at a premium. Part II will cover strategies for having difficult conversations, solving problems, maintaining wellness and a few special topics.

Presenter: David Palmiter, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Teach couples an effective and structured communication tool for having difficult conversations;
2. Teach couples to use a structured and effective tool for solving problems;
3. Identify two communication tools for providing empathy to each other; and
4. Teach couples a three minute exercise for disengaging the fight-flight response.

Presenter: Jeanne Slattery, PhD; Linda Knauss, PhD, ABPP

W19 - 3 Ethics CE Credits - Intermediate

This highly interactive workshop invites participants to consider ethical dilemmas raised by potential conflicts between ethical and legal issues (e.g., abortion, gun safety, and more). We discuss and practice strategies for responding to these difficult issues. 

Presenters: Jeanne Slattery, PhD; Linda K. Knauss, PhD, ABPP

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize typical ways of perceiving political issues;
2. Develop a strategy for responding to contentious issues using psychology's overarching ethical values; and
3. Identify strategies for considering how to handle potential conflicts between legal and ethical issues.

Exhibitor Wine & Cheese Reception

Join your peers and our exhibitors in the exhibit hall for this event on Thursday evening! Visit exhibitor booths to get drink tickets and enjoy snacks during this time of socialization and networking that is always a popular event!

Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner

Celebrate the recipients of this year's PPA and Committee Awards at this special dinner event! Concluding the event is the "passing of the gavel" from PPA's outgoing president Dr. Jeanne Slattery, to incoming president Dr. Tim Barksdale.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this workshop has been cancelled.

Presenter: Jennifer Collins, PsyD; Krista Boyer, PsyD

W24 - 3 CE Credits - Introductory

Have you been hearing more and more about Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists and wondering what it's all about? This program will provide an overview of the timeline of Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists (RxP) nationwide and a thorough update on current happenings with RxP legislation in PA. We will discuss training requirements and APA guidelines to become a Prescribing Psychologist. The final segment will be dedicated to how we can our skills as psychologists to engage in successful legislative advocacy for RxP and other bills affecting the field of psychology.

Presenters: Jennifer Collins, PsyD; Krista Boyer, PsyD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the timeline of prescriptive authority across the country and where legislation in PA currently stands;
2. Recite the APA guidelines for training prescribing psychologists; and
3. Utilize psychologist skillset to connect with legislators and advocate more confidently for important mental health bills.

Presenter: Raquel Sosa, MEd

W26 - 1 CE Credit - Intermediate

Liberation Psychology is a theory that centers the role of systemic oppression in a client’s mental health. It can be used in conjunction with other counseling theories. Participants will learn about the concepts of liberation psychology and how they can implement them in clinical practice with their clients.

Presenter: Raquel Sosa, MEd

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Describe liberation psychology and recognize the value of using it with clients; and
2. List specific liberation psychology concepts and techniques (i.e., testimonios).

Presenter: Catherine Spayd, PhD

W28 - 2 CE Credits - Introductory

As our population ages, so will the average age of our patients. This workshop reviews ageism prejudice, including unrecognized ageist beliefs we and our patients may hold that are determinantal to mental health. Ageism can be combatted by learning from the successful “oldest old,” those age 100+.

Presenter: Catherine Spayd, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. List three common misbeliefs about older adults, including one you yourself hold;
2. Correctly define life expectancy and be able to calculate your own; and
3. Identify three cross-cultural lifestyle factors that have been shown to increase health longevity.

Presenter: Richard Kutz, PsyD; Molly Cowan, PsyD; Julie Radico, PsyD

W30 - 3 Ethics CE Credits - Intermediate

Psychologists working in integrated care settings frequently serve on teams with a range of healthcare professionals. General ethical principles often overlap, but specific specialty standards vary among professions. Psychologists can utilize ethical codes and resources to moderate the impact of such differences and integrate into multidisciplinary teams.

Presenters: Richard Kutz, PsyD; Molly Cowan, PsyD; Julie Radico, PsyD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Describe key differences among ethical standards between the APA Code of Ethics and professional codes utilized among other healthcare professionals (e.g., AMA);
2. Analyze resources (APA & PA Code of Ethics, etc.) in considering ethical cases in integrated care; and
3. Apply an ethical decision making model to demonstrate adaptive resolutions to ethical conflicts that may arise in integrated care settings.

Presenter: Valerie Lemmon, PsyD

W32 - 3 CE Credits - Introductory

Many people struggle with self-forgiveness, in part because they may not understand the process and benefits. In this workshop participants will learn about two evidence-based forgiveness curricula, including the theories, delivery, and efficacy data, particularly related to the treatment of depression and anxiety. Examples will be provided.

Presenter: Valerie Lemmon, PsyD

Program Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Define and describe clinical self-forgiveness concepts;
2. Critique the empirical self-forgiveness literature; and
3. Explain and apply the clinical application of two self-forgiveness models.

All are welcome at the PPF Student Awards Celebration and Silent Auction! This casual awards dinner is a relaxed event that encourages interacting with friends, old and new. Support PPF by bidding on auction items donated by committees and members of PPA. Proceeds fund projects of the Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation, such as the Student Education Awards.

Presenter: Edward Zuckerman, PhD; Valerie Lemmon, PsyD; Daniel Marston, PhD, ABPP

W34 - 3 CE Credits - Intermediate

We have to use DSM/ICD for documentation and insurance but smarter systems are available to support our assessments, therapy, consultations and understanding. We will present the viable alternatives including the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, Research Domain Criteria, Power Threat Meaning Framework, and Positive Psychology Values-based assessments framework.   

Presenters: Edward Zuckerman, PhD; Valerie Lemmon, PsyD; Daniel Marston, PhD, ABPP

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. State five well-supported criticisms of DSM-5 and ICD-10;
2. State where the PTMF locates "symptoms".

Presenter: Anne T. Murphy, PhD; Michael Crabtree, PhD

W36 - 3 CE Credits - Intermediate

The current program will briefly review current theory and research on the structure of deception and pathological lying. The program will present current classification of pathological lying and discuss the possibility of pathological lying as its own diagnostic entity. The program will then shift to a focus on the therapeutic relationship and the ways that lying may occur in the context of this relationship. The reasons clients may lie to us as well as the challenges standing in the way of detecting deception will be discussed and reviewed. The importance of self-awareness and reflection will be discussed as it relates to one's ability to detect deception. Last, the program will consider how and when we, too, may lie to clients and the ethical principles to keep in mind that may help guide us through different types of dilemmas.  

Presenter: Anne T. Murphy, PhD; Michael Crabtree, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss and apply current research findings on the structure of deception and pathological lying to help guide and inform clinical practice;
2. Rate and critique one's own ability as a practitioner to detect deception;
3. Evaluate the need to consider pathological lying as a distinct diagnostic category;
4. Rate and critique one's own perception and management of truth and lies within the therapeutic relationship; and
5. Evaluate ethical principles related to lying and/or withholding the whole truth to clients.

Presenter: Keith Aronson, PhD

W37 - 1 CE Credit - Introductory
Lunch Session - Included in your registration cost

Military, veteran, and civilian suicides remain a vexing problem. In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death and the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults. Zero Suicide (ZS) is a healthcare system framework designed to close healthcare gaps through which individuals at risk for suicide often fall. ZS is intended to galvanize the resources of the entire healthcare system to prioritize suicide prevention. ZS was partially implemented and evaluated at five United States Air Force bases. The suicide rate significantly decreased over time at pilot bases and were significantly lower than suicide deaths at matched comparison bases. No differences were found regarding suicide attempts. However, fidelity to the universal suicide screening protocol was low and it was not possible to consistently collect fidelity data on other ZS components. These promising, although methodologically limited findings indicate that a healthcare system-wide suicide prevention framework may reduce suicides in the military context.

Presenter: Keith Aronson, PhD

Keith R. Aronson, Ph.D., is the Director of the Clearinghouse and is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Penn State, a master’s degree
in clinical psychology from Ball State University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Rutgers University. Dr. Aronson’s research focuses on the impact of chronic daily stress on one’s health and well-being and examines how stress relates to health behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking) and the experience of daily somatic symptoms. Dr. Aronson has received external funding for his research from the National Cancer Institute, National Science Foundation, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, the Department of Defense, the United States Army, the United States Air Force, and the United States Marine Corps. He also has a private practice in clinical psychology. Prior to his academic career, he worked for over
a decade in sales, marketing, and management. His father was a WWII Army Veteran who saw heavy combat in North Africa and Italy.

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. List risk factors for suicide in the military;
2. Explain the rates and timing of suicide in the military;
3. Explain the 7 key components of Zero Suicide; 
4. Describe the methodology used in the study, with an emphasis on the use of Type 2 Hybrid designs;
5. Discuss the results of the study, the study's limitations, and future research ideas; and
6. Assess the implications of this study for suicide prevention in the civilian sector.

Presenter: Steven Pashko, MA, PhD

W40 - 2 CE Credits - Introductory

The presentation describes the two forms of information humans process, the conceptual and the perceptual, but will focus on perceptual processing because, though powerfully influential, it can’t speak for itself. One aspect of the presentation will be on the perceptual view of reality and how this relates to identity.

Presenter: Steven Pashko, MA, PhD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Name the perceptual experience of 1. Time and 2. Distance;
2. Describe the perceptual view of reality; and
3. Explain the rationale for a perceptual (non-conceptual) identity.

Presenter: Heather Cotignola-Pickens, PsyD

W41 - 3 CE Credits - Introductory

Participants will learn about barriers to access to care among people who experience housing instability within the intersections of race and gender. This workshop will provide an introduction to cultural mistrust and the lenses of Critical Race Feminism and Black Feminism.  The focus will be on centering the voices of women of color who experience housing instability and how to apply their viewpoints on supportive services to clinical practice. Participants will discuss ways to practice culturally affirmative care from a holistic perspective.

Presenter: Heather Cotignola-Pickens, PsyD

Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to: