Circadian rhythms are increasingly implicated in numerous mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD. Effective treatments exist for regularizing and optimizing circadian rhythmicity, which can have positive effects on mental health outcomes and quality of life. Dr. Elaine Boland will review the current evidence on the relationship of circadian rhythms and mental health, identify the various ways that circadian dysregulation can manifest in individuals with mental health conditions, and discuss treatment pathways including collaboration with behavioral sleep medicine specialists as well as techniques for integrating circadian knowledge into clinical practice.

In this Webinar, we will explore the clinical applications of attachment science in individual therapy according to the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) model developed by Dr. Susan Johnson. An overview of attachment as it applies to clinical case conceptualization in will lead into an exploration of the structure of the EFT model and the specific interventions applied in work with adult individuals with anxiety. This will feature detailed explanations of the therapeutic moves that comprise what is known as the “EFT Tango,” along with clinical vignettes.

Dr. Sarah Burgamy will focus on the intersection of health care and sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Specifically, she will explore this intersectionality in light of how clinical approaches to health and wellness may differ in gender and sexual orientation diverse people. Mental health providers will learn a functional way to approach patients inclusive of cisgender women, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals with respect to many aspects of health care. Finally, Dr. Burgamy will explore considerations of sexual orientation and diverse relational orientations as they apply to speaking to patients about health and wellness (e.g., family planning, health of sex-specific organs, care for medical conditions such as breast/chest and gynecological cancers in traditional women’s health settings, and culturally competent aspects of making health care referrals). She will highlight case examples of effective clinical and collaborative strategies for mental health providers to improve the health and wellbeing of cisgender women as well as people who are transgender and gender diverse AFAB people.

Dr. Helen L. Coons will review ten clinical strategies to promote health and well-being in women across the lifespan. While profoundly resilient, women all too often cope with undertreated complex and interacting physical conditions, anxiety, insomnia, relentless fatigue, depression, trauma, work-place discrimination, and caregiver burden among other determinants of poor health and mental health. These challenges are even more common in persons from minoritized and marginalized communities. Dr. Coons will discuss robust treatment and prevention interventions aimed at supporting women’s physical, psychological, relational, sexual, and economic health.

Women’s Health Across the Lifespan: Translating Research to Clinical Practice to Promote Health and Wellness focuses on translating evidence-based research into clinical practice to promote and address women’s health across the lifespan. This program, developed in collaboration with Helen L. Coons, PhD, offers participants the opportunity to earn up to 22 CEs. Each session focuses on a specific area of women’s health, offering insights and practical tools for psychologists. This unique opportunity to advance your expertise in women’s health features dynamic speakers with expertise in sex and gender aspects of women’s health who will translate cutting-edge research and guidelines on biomedical, psychosocial, behavioral, and sociocultural aspects of women’s health and wellness for your practice. Case examples will highlight clinical strategies to promote wellness in women from a variety of communities and identities. Presenters will also discuss best practices for communicating with interprofessional women’s health care providers and settings.

Based in the revolutionary science of attachment theory and evidence-based emotionally focused therapy (EFT), Jennine Estes Powell will provide an effective, research-based road map for helping high-conflict couples break free from painful and destructive habits—and will help attendees uncover the root cause of conflicts that you will likely encounter in therapy sessions, both with individuals and with couples. She will provide simple strategies for creating an emotionally secure environment, as well as tips for managing triggers, de-escalating arguments, and cultivating a real and lasting connection. Jennine Estes Powell will focus on tangible tools and tips for what to do in the moment when things can escalate in a therapy session with high-conflict couples, and will also address 'self of the therapist' themes and how to cultivate a healing environment in therapy sessions.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with profound impact on their life beyond physical health, including mental health, body image, career, and relationships. Dr. Kathleen Ashton will focus on the latest research in psychosocial oncology and best practices in treatment of patients affected by breast cancer. The psychological needs of diverse patients will be discussed, including those with hereditary risk, in active treatment, in survivorship, or with metastatic breast cancer, as well as patients from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations. Dr. Ashton will also include case discussions and interactive clinical application exercises.

Chronic health conditions, which become more prevalent with age, affect more than 38% of women in the United States. Women’s distinct physiology and the impact of adverse life experiences contribute to the higher prevalence and severity of these conditions. Drs. Kathleen Brown and Jennifer Kelly will explore the reasons behind these patterns and offer practical strategies for practitioners to alleviate suffering and enhance wellness.

Health psychologists need a deep understanding of women’s sexual health across the lifespan to address its complex biological, psychological, relational, and sociocultural dimensions. Dr. Stephanie Buehler will discuss an inclusive framework that explores cultural and systemic factors that shape sexual health, including the experiences of LGBTQ+ women and those from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. She will also discuss practical, evidence-based strategies to integrate culturally responsive and affirmative approaches into practice. Through case examples and actionable insights, Dr. Buehler will empower psychologists to assess, intervene, and advocate for women’s sexual well-being.

Dr. Erlanger “Earl” Turner will explore the psychological impact of racial discrimination and cultural stress on Black youth. Despite the prevalence of these stressors, approximately 80% of Black youth in need of mental health services do not receive care. With racism accounting for 63% of media-reported and 33% of educator-reported incidents, the need for culturally responsive support is critical. Dr. Turner will emphasize the importance of equipping parents with tools to recognize and respond to racial stress, while also promoting resilience and emotional well-being in their children. Strategies discussed can inform clinical practice and enhance family-based interventions.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, yet under-recognized, endocrine condition, affecting 11-13% of females globally. People with PCOS have a three- and four-fold risk for developing depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, yet psychologists receive limited education and training to address the biopsychosocial and cultural determinants of PCOS-related mental health concerns. Dr. Phimphasone-Brady will address the need for improved clinician education in the comprehensive management of PCOS, discuss the current international guidelines and issues relevant to improving mental health and well-being in PCOS, and review specific evidence-based interventions and strategies for addressing the overwhelming mental health needs in PCOS.

Dr. Christina Metcalf and Dr. Nanette Santoro will cover essential aspects of menopause, focusing on its stages, symptoms, and the best practices for both short- and long-term management strategies. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of perimenopause and the menopause transition and their impacts on health and mental health, with a special focus on psychosocial interventions and shared decision-making. Drs. Metcalf and Santoro will prepare clinicians to implement effective strategies to help their patients manage menopausal symptoms. Participants will gain practical knowledge to help support women during this important phase of life.

Women have typically been overlooked when it comes to issues with their sleep. Unfortunately, many women have also been told that poor sleep comes with the territory. Dr. Shelby Harris will focus on common sleep issues women face and will discuss evidenced-based treatment options for these issues and disorders as well as when to refer to a sleep center. She will also provide an introduction to Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia because insomnia is the most common sleep issue women face at various stages in life.

The youth mental health crisis has been growing for over a decade, with its boiling point arriving in the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic era. This crisis is characterized by increases in acute psychiatric concerns like suicidal thoughts and behavior and flourishing interest in self-diagnosis. Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspectives on youth development highlight elements of the mental health crisis not fully considered in public health models. By bringing a psychodynamic lens to the crisis, Dr. Carl Waitz offers new ways of understanding the problem and new ideas for engaging youth in psychotherapy in the context of a changing world.

With 1 in 6 individuals experiencing infertility challenges with their family building, infertility is a major life event that introduces the stress and burden of uncertainty in addition to the demands of treatment. Research has demonstrated that the infertility experience contributes to similar levels of depression and anxiety as navigating the experience of cancer. Dr. Andrea Braverman will discuss the mental health impact of infertility challenges and review evidence-based interventions for various populations.