IPA Spring Conference
Apr. 4-5, Year | Cedar Rapids, IA
2025 IPA Spring Conference
Conference Registration
Day 1: Clinical Psychopharmacology Update for Psychologists
6 CEs | April 4, 2025, 9am – 5pm
Overview
In this 6 hour workshop, the presenter will cover recent clinical advances in the pharmacological treatment of common mental disorders. New and newer drugs in the antidepressant, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, psychostimulant and anxiolytic classes will be described, along with evidence-based guidelines for utilization of such agents. We will discuss risks and benefits associated with commonly used drugs, and the evidence supporting their use. Understanding that pharmacological interventions for mental disorders are never complete, we will discuss where available evidence supporting the use of combined treatments (pharmacological and psychological) for mental disorders. Data on use of such agents in patients of different ethnicities and sexes will be covered where available.
About the Presenter
Morgan T. Sammons is the retired Chief Executive Officer of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. He is a retired Captain in the US Navy where he served as the leader of the Navy Clinical Psychology community of approximately 200 uniformed psychologists. He is one of the first graduates of the Department of Defense’s Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project and has an extensive history as a prescribing psychologist. He is the Founding Editor of the Journal of Health Service Psychology, a translational clinical journal focusing on enhancing complex clinical decision making via presentation of evidence-based interventions that can be incorporated into individual treatment planning. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, past- president of APA’s division 55, and past Chair of the California Psychological Association’s Division 5 (Psychopharmacology) and a past president of the Maryland Psychological Association.
- Participants will appreciate new brand name and generic drugs that have been introduced in the recent past.
- Participants will understand the drug development and marketing process as it affects the use of psychotropic agents.
- Attendees will be able to identify evidence- supported forms of psychological intervention that are used in combination with pharmacological agents used to treat mental disorders, including data on special populations where available.
- Attendees will understand the strengths and limitations of current treatments for common mental disorders and what evidence exists to enhance patient management.
- Participants will be able to describe in clinical terms the mechanisms of action of commonly used psychotropic agents.
- Participants will be able to describe at least one drug from the above named classes and how such drugs are optimally employed in patient management.
Day 2 AM: ABCs of your Zzz: Understanding the physiological and psychological functions of sleep and their implications for mental health
3 CEs | April 5, 2025, 9am – 12pm
Overview
In this workshop, the audience will be introduced to (1) the brain mechanisms of how sleep is initiated and maintained, (2) how sleep and circadian (daily) rhythms change throughout the lifespan, and (3) cognitive and affective functions of sleep. With this knowledge base, we will discuss evidence regarding how sleep loss and sleep disruption interfere with cognition and emotional regulation, and precipitate mental illness. Then, the audience will be introduced to various methods sleep is measured in clinical and research settings. This will also involve a hands-on session on state-of-the-art questionnaires on sleep health, circadian rhythm, insomnia and sleepiness and how to interpret them. Finally, we will end with empirically backed recommendations for maintaining sleep hygiene.
About the Presenter
Dr. Baran received her PhD in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studied the effects of aging on the cognitive function of sleep. Then she went on to complete post-doctoral research training at Harvard Medical School in sleep and psychiatric brain imaging. Prior to establishing her lab at the University of Iowa’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, she was appointed as an Assistant Professor at the Psychiatry Department at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she studies sleep mediated deficits in chronic severe mental illness. She is interested in understanding the role of sleep in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. A specific focus is on identifying sleep-related biomarkers of risk for psychotic disorders using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sleep electroencephalography (EEG) and clinical and cognitive assessments. Dr. Baran’s work is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Iowa Neuroscience Institute and through philanthropy. She also serves as the Director of Neuroscience Research of the Psychosis-risk Intervention, Education, and Research (PIER) Program, a research and clinical service program that aims to enhance our understanding of at-risk mental states, identify neuroscience-informed predictors of conversion and dramatically reduce the duration of untreated psychosis in the community.
- Evaluate the evidence for the critical role of sleep in cognition and emotional processing
- Determine whether sleep can be considered as a culprit for the emergence (or exacerbation) of neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Interpret ways in which polysomnography and actigraphy have been utilized to identify sleep-related biomarkers of mental health.
- Practice how different scales and questionnaires can be utilized to assess sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm and sleep disorders.
- Understand ways in which individuals can keep a healthy sleep regimen.
Day 2 PM: Evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adults
3 CEs | April 5, 2025, 1:15pm – 5pm
Overview
This workshop will focus on the evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the lifespan. The presenter will provide an overview of the DSM-5 TR criteria, describe how ASD can be viewed through a medical and social model of disability, review commonly utilized autism screening and evaluation tools, and provide case examples. Diversity-related concerns when evaluating ASD will be reviewed.
About the Presenter
Dr. Kopelman is a psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst in private practice at Meadowlark Psychiatric Services in Iowa City. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, The Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, and The University of Iowa College of Education. Dr. Kopelman’s primary clinical interests are the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders in children and adults and providing behaviorally based therapy services. He is an active board member of the Autism Society of Iowa and co-teaches a graduate course on Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has coordinated three federally funded research projects on telehealth evaluation and treatment of disruptive behaviors displayed by young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Participants will be able to describe core features of autism in children and adults
- Participants will be able to identify 3 research-supported assessment measures for the evaluation of autism
- Participants will be able to discuss key differences in the medical and social models of disability related to autism
Registration Cost
Cost / Day
Non-Member: $247.50
Cost / HALF day
Non-Member: $123.75
Conference Information
Location and Accommodations (Anti-human trafficking Certified)
Things to Know
- Registration is offered for Day 1, Day 2, Day 2 AM and Day 2 PM.
- CE is available to those who attend each full day. CE certificates will be emailed to attendees who complete the training evaluation.
Continuing Education
CE will be emailed to attendees who have completed the training evaluation.
Conference Program
8am – 8:55am Check in, light breakfast
8:55am – 9am Welcome and opening remarks
9am – 10:30am Dr. Sammons Presentation | Clinical Psychopharmacology Update for Psychologists
10:30am – 10:45am Morning break
10:45am – 12pm Dr. Sammons Presentation | Clinical Psychopharmacology Update for Psychologists
12:00pm – 1pm Lunch - IPA Business Meeting
1pm – 2:30pm Dr. Sammons Presentation | Clinical Psychopharmacology Update for Psychologists
2:30pm – 3pm Afternoon break
3pm – 4:45pm Dr. Sammons Presentation | Clinical Psychopharmacology Update for Psychologists
4:45pm – 4:50pm Closing Remarks
5pm – 6:30pm Social and Student Poster Session
8am – 8:45am Check in, light breakfast
8:55am – 9am Welcome and opening remarks
9am – 10:30am Dr. Baran Presentation | ABCs of your Zzz: Understanding the physiological and psychological functions of sleep and their implications for mental health
10:30am – 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am – 12pm Dr. Baran Presentation | ABCs of your Zzz: Understanding the physiological and psychological functions of sleep and their implications for mental health
12pm – 1:15pm Lunch - Presentation of the Phil Laughlin Meritorious Achievement Award, Michele Greiner Early Career Psychologist Service Award, Diversity Leadership Award, DSJ Diversity Graduate Student Award, Outgoing IPA Board recognition
1:15pm – 2:45pm Dr. Kopelman Presentation | Evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adults
2:45pm – 3:15pm Afternoon Break
3:15pm – 5pm Dr. Koppelman Presentation | Dr. Kopelman Presentation | Evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adults
5pm – 5:15pm Concluding remarks, farewell
Refund and Cancellation Policy
We understand, sometimes things come up!
Participants must register by March 27, 2025 at noon. Cancellation is available on the IPA website until March 27, 2025 at noon. No cancellations or refunds will be accepted after March 27, 2025 at noon.
Contact: Suzanne Hull, ipa@iowapsychology.org