MT PAL Page Banner

Perinatal & Pediatric Mental Health Symposium

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change - Last Updated 12.4.25

Wednesday's agenda with time, topic/presenter and location

Time

Topic - Presenter

Location

9:00-11:00am

Recognize, Respond, Refer: Practical Suicide Prevention for Perinatal & Pediatric Providers (must register to attend)

Presented by: Wendy Morris, Community Prevention Specialist, One Health

This interactive session provides foundational suicide prevention gatekeeper training tailored for professionals working with perinatal individuals, children, and families. Participants will build confidence in recognizing warning signs, responding to suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and connecting patients and caregivers to appropriate supports. The training emphasizes real-world communication strategies, risk awareness across developmental stages, and practical steps providers can use immediately in clinical and community settings.    In addition to core gatekeeper skills, the session highlights local, state, and national suicide prevention resources, referral pathways, and crisis response systems to strengthen continuity of care. Attendees will leave with concrete tools to support early intervention, reduce stigma, and create safer systems of care for families during vulnerable periods.

Ballroom A

9:00-11:00am

SBIRT Training (must register to attend)

Presented by: Shelbi Wolff, LAC, LCPC, Frontier Psychiatry

An SBIRT assessment (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is a public health approach to quickly identify people using alcohol or drugs at risky levels, offer brief counseling to boost motivation for change, and connect those needing more help to specialized treatment, using tools like the AUDIT or DAST to spot problems early and prevent serious consequences.

Ballroom B

11:00am-12:00pm

Registration & Networking / Visit Exhibitors

Ballroom Foyer

12:00-12:15pm

Welcome

Grand Ballroom

12:15-12:45pm

MTPAL Vision

Presented by: Dr. Eric Arzubi, CEO & Co-Founder of Frontier Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Grand Ballroom

12:45-3:45pm

Evidence Based Psychotherapeutic Treatment Models for Perinatal Mental Health 

Presented by: Dr. Kristy Christopher-Holloway, EdD, LPC, LCMHC, NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, PMH-C, New Vision Consulting and Training

Perinatal mental health concerns—including depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and adjustment challenges—are among the most common complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet they are often under-identified and under-treated. This three-hour workshop provides a comprehensive overview of evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment models used in perinatal mental health care, with attention to clinical application across pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting.    Participants will explore core therapeutic frameworks shown to be effective in treating perinatal mental health concerns, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), trauma-informed approaches, and attachment-based interventions. The presentation will emphasize culturally responsive, developmentally informed, and family-centered care, while addressing common clinical complexities such as ambivalence about parenthood, birth trauma, NICU experiences, loss, infertility, and systemic barriers to care.    Through case examples and clinical discussion, learners will gain practical strategies for integrating evidence-based psychotherapy into multidisciplinary and community-based perinatal care settings.

Grand Ballroom

3:45-4:00pm

Break / Visit Exhibitors

Ballroom Foyer

4:00-4:15pm

Day 1 Wrap Up

Grand Ballroom

Thursday, March 5, 2026

 

Time

Topic - Presenter

Location

7:30-8:30am

Registration & Networking Session

Ballroom Foyer

8:30-9:00am

Welcome

Presented by: Dr. Eric Arzubi, MD, CEO & Co-Founder of Frontier Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Grand Ballroom

9:00-10:00am

Oppositional and Externalizing Behavior in Kids and Teens

Presented by: Dr. Swathi Krishna, MD, MTPAL for Children Psychiatrist

Review of oppositional and externalizing behavior episodes and language in teens and children and some of the psychiatric  considerations

Grand Ballroom

10:00-10:15am

Break/Visit Sponsors

Ballroom Foyer

10:15-11:15am

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills for Children and Adolescents

Presented by: Josh Spinney, MA, LPC, Cody Counseling and Consulting

 Exploration of how Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills can be used with children who are struggling with depressive disorders, anxiety, behavioral and personality disorders, and suicidal ideations. Josh Spinney will also provide practical applications and scenarios for these skills to enhance their real-world use by providers.

Grand Ballroom

11:15am-12:00pm

Female Hormones and Mental Health Across the Reproductive Lifespan

Presented by: Dr. Megan Verlage, MD, MTPAL for Moms Psychiatrist 

During this presentation, we will discuss basic endocrine physiology of the female reproductive cycle and tie it to the most common hormone-driven mental health conditions. 

Grand Ballroom

12:00-1:00pm

Lunch

Grand Ballroom

1:00-2:00pm

Heads in the Sand

Presented by: Daniel Champer, MA, LCPC, Director of Clinical and Residential Services, Florence Crittenton Family Services

The topic of mental health has become more prevalent in our current society and culture.  Yet, a significant stigma still exists when an individual is struggling to maintain their mental health and seeks help.  This talk defines mental health and wellbeing and presents the discussion as a spectrum rather than a hierarchy.  This talk is designed for all groups and communities who are interested in promoting healthy conversation around mental health and wellness.   

Grand Ballroom

2:00-3:00pm

Building the Future of Early Relational Health in 猎奇重口

Presented by: Hollin Buck, MS, Healthy Mothers Health Babies - The 猎奇重口 Coalition

This presentation will share foundational knowledge on infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), early relational health (ERH), and reflective practice. We will talk about what IECMH work has taken place in 猎奇重口 as well as where we might be going in the future.

Grand Ballroom

3:00-3:15pm

Break

Ballroom Foyer

3:15-4:15pm

Historical & Cultural Impacts On Indigenous Mental Health

Presented by: Amy Stiffarm, PhD, MPH

This presentation is designed to support non-Indigenous healthcare professionals who serve Native Families in 猎奇重口 enhancing their understanding of historical and cultural contexts that impact mental health among Native Populations today. 

Grand Ballroom

4:15-4:30pm

Closing

Grand Ballroom