Come Together—Right Now

2016 TPA Convention Programs and Schedule

Continuing Education Credit and Information:

Workshops are sponsored by the Tennessee Psychological Association. The Tennessee Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. The Tennessee Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

All Continuing Education (CE) credits are Type I unless otherwise noted. As a state psychological association, TPA offers Type II and Type III CE hours in accordance with the Tennessee State Board of Examiners in Psychology rules and regulation related to continuing education. For an up-to-date list of the rules and regulations governing CE requirements for Psychologists, Senior Psychological Examiners and Licensed Psychological Examiners, please refer to the following website: .

*Please note that for each presentation CE credit will be granted only to attendees who are present for the entire presentation.*

Handout Information:

Please remember that, in an effort to go green, program “handouts” will be provided in a digital, rather than a printed version. Presenters have been asked to provide these materials in advance so that they may be posted on the TPA website approximately one week before the Convention. After you register you will be allowed access these and to print them or download them if desired.

Accommodation Information

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Nashville Airport Marriott for the 2016 TPA Convention at the negotiated rate of $151 per night (plus state and local taxes). Reservations should be made on an individual basis by contacting the hotel at (800) 770-0555, (615) 889-9300, or and asking for the Tennessee Psychological Association or TPA rate.
The hotel is located at 600 Marriott Drive, Nashville, TN 37219. It offers free parking, a restaurant, indoor/outdoor pool, health club, whirlpool, sauna, and more. Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM. The reserved room block rate is available through October 12, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. After this date, reservations will be made by the hotel based on room and rate availability. Currently there is a shortage of hotel rooms in Nashville. In order to get a room, attendees will need to register very early.

Daily Schedules

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

7:30AM Registration Opens

8:30AM-5:30PM Pre-Convention Workshop

[101] Dialectical Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Trauma Based Disorders

Intermediate/6 CE credits (Type I)

(Participants must attend entire program to receive CE credit.)

Presenter: Emily Beck, Ph.D.

Affiliation: Private practice, Johnson City, TN

Description:This presentation will discuss the theoretical conceptualization of Trauma-Based Disorders (TBDs) and relations among Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Dissociative Disorders. Theoretical and empirical evidence from the areas of psychotherapy, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology will be used to discuss the impact of early trauma as well as the later manifestation of symptoms due to such trauma. Evidence will be provided that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an effective approach for treating the brain based effects of trauma. DBT, developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., is a comprehensive treatment approach designed specifically for trauma-based disorders. Research has shown it is especially effective for individuals with suicidal, self-harmful, or severely dysregulated behaviors. This presentation will include lectures, videos, and role-plays to teach DBT theory and strategies in a manner that will allow participants to incorporate DBT in their clinical work.

Prerequisite: This presentation will be most useful for professionals with some experience with DBT and a general knowledge of neurobiology and attachment research.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder as it is re-framed as a trauma-based disorder (TBD)
  2. Discuss how DBT addresses the neurobiological consequences of chronic relational trauma
  3. Describe the biosocial theory DBT espouses and the role invalidation is thought to play in the emergence of a trauma-based disorders
  4. List the modes of treatment in DBT and describe their functions

Presenter Information: Dr. Beck is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. She has taught at the University of North Carolina Asheville and worked as a staff clinical psychologist at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center. She opened a private practice in Johnson City, TN in 2015. She is trained in DBT and specializes in the treatment of trauma disorders.

10:00AM-10:30AM Break

12:00PM-2:00PM Lunch (On Your Own)

3:30PM-4:00PM Break

5:30 PM Registration Closes

6:00PM-10:00PM TPA Board Meeting

Thursday, November 3, 2016

7:30AM Registration Opens

8:30AM-10:00AM Plenary Session(where we all come together)

(Participants must attend entire program to receive CE credit.)

[111] Hope and Suicide

1.5 CE credits, Introductory (Type I)

Presenter: M. David Rudd, Ph.D.

Affiliation: President, University of Memphis

Course Description: The session will review a model for understanding suicide risk, including a specific focus on clinical warning signs, the role of suicide intent, and variables that undermine assessment, clinical management, and treatment. In particular, an empirically validated brief intervention, brief cognitive therapy, will be reviewed, with an emphasis on hope as a skill, including discussion of its component parts (cognitive, interpersonal, emotion regulation). The session will provide not only a clinically relevant model to guide intervention, but also equip participants with practical steps in the assessment, management and treatment of suicide risk.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Apply a comprehensive, clinically-relevant model for the assessment, management and treatment of suicide risk
  2. Recognize and respond to clinical warnings signs in the clinical management of suicide risk
  3. Understand and respond to fluctuations in suicide intent in the clinical management of high-risk patients
  4. Apply a range of clinical interventions targeting the development of hope as a core skill for those experiencing suicidal thoughts and engaging in suicidal behavior

Presenter Information: Dr. Rudd is President of the University of Memphis, a position he has held since May of 2014. As a Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Dr. Rudd also conducts funded research through his affiliation with the National Center for Veterans’ Studies at the University of Utah. Dr. Rudd is co-founder and scientific director of the NCVS.Before transitioning to his current position, he served as Provost for over a year in Memphis. Prior to moving to Memphis, he was dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Science at the University of Utah.

10:00AM-10:30AM Break

10:30AM-12:00PM CE Workshops

(Participants must attend entire program to receive CE credit.)

[121] The Gus Bell Course: An Introduction to the Recent History and Working Structure of the Tennessee Psychological Association

1.5 CE credits, Introductory (Type II)

Presenters: John B. Averitt, Ph.D., Connie Paul, Ph.D., ABPP, Michael Myszka, Ph.D.,

Lynn Boatwright, Ph.D., Tyler Overstreet, M.A., & Robert Bloom, Ph.D.

Affiliation: Dr. Averitt is employed as a Psychological Hospitalist at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, Tennessee and has a part-time private practice in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Course Description: The president, directorates, and selected board members of TPA will each present a brief history and report about their role and functioning in the organization. New members, those seeking election or appointment to a post in the organization, and others interested in learning more about the TPA system of governance and administrative operations are urged to attend. The presenters will hand out an early history of the organization written by the late Dr. Gus Bell. Please come and learn about how TPA works and join in the leadership of this great organization.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will identify the history of TPA before the creation of the current directorate system.
  2. Attendees will describe the creation of the novel directorate system and how well it has performed in Tennessee.
  3. Participants will describe how the current TPA governance functions and how to become involved in the system of leadership.
  4. Attendees will identify specific roles in the organization for which they can volunteer to support the growth and development of psychology in Tennessee and the nation.

Presenter Information: John B. Averitt, Ph.D. received doctorate degrees from Vanderbilt University and from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is a Licensed Psychologist Designated as a Health Service Provider in Tennessee. He is certified in Substance Abuse Disorders by the Practice Directorate of APA and is a Police Psychologist. He is a retired Sergeant with the Cookeville Police Department. He continues to work as a police psychologist with the department. He works as a Psychological Hospitalist at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He served as President of TPA in 1999-2000 and has served in several other roles on the TPA Board. He has served as the TPA Convention Directorate since 2002.

[122]Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag: New Weapons in the Fight against Treatment Resistant Depression

1.5 CE credits, Intermediate (Type I)

Presenters: B. Charles Ihrig, Ph.D. & Daniel Barton, M.D.

Affiliations:Athena Consulting & Psychological Services, LLC and NeuroMed TMS Centers, LLC

Course Description:This presentation will review the monoamine hypothesis of depression and how this may not explain depression in many patients particularly those suffering from refractory depression. There will be a discussion of the monoamine hypothesis as well as other developing theories of depression. The presentation will outline new ways of thinking about neural functioning and whether neural pathwayscan grow and strengthen. NeuroModulation techniques (TMS, Neurofeedback)ketamine infusions, andpharmacogenomic assessments will be discussed and their new roles in treatment. The presentation will review how psychotherapy may also be a part of this neural development and neural activation process.

Prerequisite: Attendees should have a general knowledge of the biological process of mental

illness and the presumed roles of neurological structure and neurochemistry.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the Star D Trial and its significance regarding Treatment Resistant Depression
  2. Discuss the Monoamine, Neuroplastic, and Neurogenic Hypotheses of depression and their related treatments
  3. Describe three novel techniques in addressing treatment resistant depression
  4. Discuss how this new way of looking at depression may influence how we treat individuals with refractory depression

Presenter Information:Dr. Charles Ihrig is the CEO of NeuroMed TMS Centers, LLC a regional provider of TMS treatment. He is also the founder and managing partner of Athena Consulting & Psychological Services, LLC. His work is largely administrative but he continues to maintain a clinical practice that consists primarily of diagnostic assessment and forensic work.

[123] Best Practices for Social Security Disability Determination Services Childhood Consultative Evaluations

1.5 CE credits, Introductory (Type II)

Presenters: Rebecca Hansmann, Psy.D & Tommie Slayden, Ph.D.

Affiliation:Tennessee Disability Determination Services

Course Description:The Social Security Administration is a government-funded agency that pays benefits to individuals who have a medical/psychological condition that can be expected to result in death or is expected to prevent an individual from working for at least 12 months. A child under 18 may be eligible to receive benefits if he or she has a medically determinable impairment(s) that causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that canbe expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for at least 12 months. Disability Determination Services (DDS) is responsible for developing the medical information and rendering initial disability decisions. The DDS typically attempts to obtain medical information from the claimant’s treating sources, however if there is inadequate information available, or the information does not include an “acceptable source” (M.D. or doctoral level psychologist), the DDS will arrange for an independent consultative examination (CE). Medical and mental health professionals who perform CEs must have a good understanding of SSA’s disability programs and requirements in order to provide DDS with a comprehensive review of the claimant’s impairments and limitations. CE panelists who evaluate children will receive a general review of best practices for evaluating children of different ages.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will describe the DDS childhood disability determination process.
  2. Participants will list “best practices” to use when conducting a childhood evaluation for DDS.
  3. Participants will be able to identify conflicts in the medical evidence, presentation of claimant or guardian, and psychological testing.
  4. Participants will describe the criteria for the required medical source statement.

Presenter Information: Dr. Hansmann is a clinical psychologist who has been involved with the Social Security Tennessee Disability Determination Services for 19 years. She is a psychological consultant for the Tennessee Social Security Disability Determination Services (DDS) and has been a psychological expert for the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Her responsibilities at DDS have included assessing adult and child disability claims, training new doctors and other DDS employees, and consulting on various types of cases and quality assurance concerns. She is also a contract psychologist for the Tennessee Valley Authority for which she conducts nuclear plant Fitness for Duty Evaluations and personnel interviews/evaluations for TVA police candidates.

[124] Geriatric Psychology: The Wave of the Future for Private Practitioners

1.5 CE credits, Intermediate (Type I)

Presenter: KortNygard, Ph.D.

Affiliations: Regional VP, GeroPsych Services, Key Rehabilitation, Murfreesboro, TN

Course Description:This program will present trends in population demographics, psychological care for elders, differences between approaches and dynamics in community vs. institutional settings, and issues of which to be aware in working with elders in contrast to middle-aged or younger clients. Family dynamics, reimbursement, ethical issues, as well as suggested approaches for common problems will be discussed.

Prerequisite: Experience with elders, CBT, basic operant conditioning, and basic knowledge of psychotropics and healthcare.

This program is designed, at least partially,to meet Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology continuing education requirements for licensure renewal in the area of cultural diversity. Other programs may also meet these criteria, but TPA is designating this one. For further information, please refer to the Rules and Regulations of the TN Board of Examiners in Psychology.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Be able to describe trends in proportion of elders in the US population and the use of psychotropic medications in that segment
  2. Implement effective interventions with family members and care staff to optimize support and continued growth with elders
  3. Describe 4 tested behavioral interventions that can replace the need and use of psychotropic medications
  4. Describe trends in the treatment of the most common disorders in an aging population

Presenter Information: Dr. Nygard earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology 1974 from the University of Iowa. He has been working as a psychologist for over 50 years, including the last 21 years full time in 33 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. He is currently retiring as the Regional Vice President of GeroPsyc psychology services, a division of Key Rehabilitation in Murfreesboro. He served on the Advisory Board of the Southeast Advocacy Center for Elder Rights for 4 years, has presented over 155 day-long seminars, “Psychiatric Disorders in the Aging Population” for Cross Country Education in 28 states, to over 3,000 attendees, and he served on the Board of Directors, Summit View Senior Housing, Chattanooga. He has also presented at the Tennessee Health Care Association, East Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association, Southern Tier Consortium of New York, Iowa Psychological Association, Eden Alternative International Convention, Pioneer Network, and National League for Nurses.

12:00PM-2:00PM Lunch - On Your Own

OR

Psychological Examiners’ Annual Meet & Greet Lunch

A time of networking and general discussion of current trends/status of psychological examiners

2:00PM-5:30PM CE Workshops

(Participants must attend entire program to receive CE credit.)

3:30PM-4:00PM Break

[131]Professional Ethics and Law for Psychologists and Psychological Examiners: State of TN Laws

and Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology and Code of Conduct

3 CE credits, Introductory (Type I)

Presenters: Connie Paul, Ph.D., ABPP and Janice Pazar, Ph.D., and John B. Averitt, Ph.D.

Affiliation: Memphis Center for Women and Families (Dr. Paul)

Course Description: Psychologists’ ethical decision making and professional conduct are informed and guided by several important sources and documents, including federal and state laws, the Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63, Chapter 11, the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Examiners in Psychology (BOE) and the APA Code of Ethics. This review will include an exploration of the applicability of the APA “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” to the practice of psychologist, senior psychological examiners and psychological examiners. Special focus will include information on new laws pertaining to telehealth, scope of practice, behavioral analysts and duty to protect reporting as well as rules pertaining to continuing education.

This program is designed to meet Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology continuing education requirements for licensure renewal in Law & Ethics. For further information, please refer to the Rules and Regulations of the TN Board of Examiners in Psychology.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will apply new requirements for duty to protect reporting for health care providers.
  2. Participants will list detailed information regarding continuing education rules and regulations.
  3. Participants will discuss information regarding scope of practice in the practice of psychology.
  4. Participants will demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the APA “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” and its applicability to psychologists, senior psychological examiners and psychological examiners.

Presenter Information:Dr. Connie Paul is a past member of the Board of Examiners in Psychology. She is a Past President of the Tennessee Psychological Association and presently serves as the Administrative Services Officer of TPA. She is a clinical psychologist currently in practice with the Memphis Center for Women and Families.