Mental Health
America of Indiana
The Indiana Mental Health & Addiction
Symposium
Innovation to Implementation
Supporting Hoosiers
Countdown to the conference
December 12th, 2025
Register for the MHAI Symposium!
Registration is now open for the The Indiana Mental Health & Addiction Symposium
Join Us for the 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Symposium
Mental Health America of Indiana is excited to bring Indiana’s largest behavioral health conference back for 2025! This symposium is exploring ‘Innovation to Implementation’ and how that supports all Hoosiers. As in previous years, the symposium will be held in conjunction with the annual Heroes for Recovery awards ceremony held during the lunch festivities, where Hoosiers across the state will be celebrated for their work in behavioral health.
Our symposium theme is focused on showcasing innovative research, cutting edge evidence-based practices and professional ethics to support the professional development of the behavioral health workforce. This symposium focuses on the needs of today and preparing professionals for the services that will be needed in the future.
The MHAI Mental Health and Addiction Symposium promises to be the premiere behavioral health educational event in Indiana. Our distinguished line-up of session topics, along with our keynote presentations, will leave attendees inspired to deliver person-centered, ethical, and evidence-based services. The symposium also offers the opportunity to visit with behavioral health providers, governmental agencies and other behavioral health services in our newly revamped ‘Vendor Village’ and there will be multiple opportunities to network to develop your resources and connections!
The 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Symposium is an immersive and transformative experience for all attendees.
Updates on session topics and more will be provided regularly.
Agenda
Dec. 12, 2025 – 9:15-10:15 am
The IU Evidence-Based Practice Center: Supporting Indiana CCBHCs in Providing High Quality Behavioral Health Care
Gabriela M. Rodríguez, PhD, HSPP
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
This session includes 1) a brief overview of Indiana’s participation in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, 2) a brief introduction to each of the evidence-based practice (EBP) models selected for the demonstration, 3) a description of how the IU EBP Center, in collaboration with DMHA, is supporting the CCBHC demonstration, 4) a brief review of data from the Center’s initial activities, and 5) a discussion of next steps.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30 am
QPR ( Question, Persuade, Refer)
Jason Craig – Director – Indiana Suicide Prevention Network – Certified Prevention Specialist
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training is an evidence-based suicide prevention program designed to teach individuals how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond effectively. In this session, participants will learn simple, yet powerful steps that anyone can use to help save a life: questioning someone about suicidal thoughts, persuading them to seek help, and referring them to appropriate resources. QPR is often compared to CPR in its ability to empower everyday people to respond to emergencies and connect those in crisis with the support they need. This training is appropriate for both professionals and community members.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30 am
Ethical Boundaries in Recovery Support: Navigating Personal and Professional Roles
Matt Bane, Adjunct MHAI Facilitator, CSPR (Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery)
In the field of recovery support, maintaining clear ethical boundaries is essential to fostering trust, promoting wellness, and ensuring the integrity of peer and professional relationships. This presentation explores the complex and often overlapping dynamics between personal experience and professional responsibilities in recovery settings. Participants will learn strategies for maintaining ethical conduct while offering authentic, empathetic support. Whether you are a peer recovery specialist, clinician, or support staff, this session provides practical tools and ethical guidance to help you navigate the fine line between connection and professionalism in your recovery work.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30am
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Victoria Powers, PhD, HSPP
Licensed Psychologist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Indiana University/IU Health
This session provides an overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In this session, you will learn about the goals of ACT, its six main components, and how this treatment is different from, and similar to, other evidence based practices. Attendees will be encouraged to be active participants and learn how to explain ACT concepts to a patient through experiential learning.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30am
Mindful Art Practices for Well-Being
Rachel Feldwisch, PhD, MAAT, LMHC, ATR-BC, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, University of Indianapolis
Michelle Itczak, MA, LMHC, ATR-BC, ATCS, Program Director of Counseling Programs and Associate Professor, University of Indianapolis
In this session, participants will learn about the differences between art therapy that requires a trained art therapist and mindful art practices that can be used by anyone. Session participants will learn about mindful art practices and have the opportunity to engage with art materials as a means of well-being.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30 am
Medications for Addiction Treatment
Gretchen Johnson, DO. Addiction Medicine physician at Community Fairbanks Recovery Center with Community Health Network
Lecture Based informational session providing an introduction to the pharmacologic options for treatment of common substance use disorders faced by our patient population.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30 am
From Risk to Recovery: Using the CAMS Framework to Address Adolescent Suicide Risk
Casey Pederson, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
IU School of Medicine and IUHealth
Licensed Psychologist, Health Service Provider in Psychology
This session introduces the CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) framework as a structured, evidence-based approach addressing adolescent suicide risk. Participants will explore how CAMS guides collaborative treatment planning and supports youth in moving from risk to recovery. The session includes a detailed case example, illustrating the application of the framework in real-world clinical scenarios. Participants will explore practical strategies for discussing suicide with adolescents, identifying and addressing risk factors, and collaboratively planning treatment to support recovery.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 10:30-11:30am
Youth involved in the Legal System: Efforts to Improve Cross-system Collaboration
Matthew Aalsma, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine
Effective behavioral health treatment can help youth and families in crisis. However, youth and families involved in the legal system face a variety of barriers to engaging in behavioral health treatment. The Health and Justice laboratory at the Indiana University School of Medicine has collaborated with over a dozen counties across Indiana for the past several years to improve access to behavioral health care. The primary means to do so has been through improved cross system collaboration between youth legal settings and community mental health systems. The goal of this session will be to describe these efforts and to discuss lessons learned to improve access for behavioral services to youth and families in crisis.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 1:45-2:45pm
Fire side Chat
Sarah Sailors, MSW Director, FSSA/Division of Mental Health and Addiction
DMHA Updates and “ask the Director” format.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4 pm
Everyday Psychiatry: Practical Pharmacology for Frontline Clinicians
Susan Kersey DNP, PMHNP-BC
PMHNP Program Director
Purdue University, West Lafayette
This session offers a focused, real-world overview of psychiatric medication indications, side effects, and actions for the everyday provider working on the front lines of mental health care. Designed for nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, case managers and peer specialists, this session will include evidence-based prescribing for depressive, anxiety, and bipolar disorders, and psychosis. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to identify common side effects, understand drug interactions; and address challenges in adherence and poly-pharmacy.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4 pm
Treating Traumatic Stress in Children, Teens and Families: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Zachary Adams, PhD, HSPP – Associate Professor of Psychiatry, IU School of Medicine & licensed psychologist, Riley Children’s Health / IU Health
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is one of the most well-supported, evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. This session invites clinicians, behavioral health administrators, and community members to learn about the ins and outs of TF-CBT—exploring how it helps young people and their families rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and emotional strength. Through research evidence, explanations of its core components, and real-world examples, participants will learn how TF-CBT effectively addresses symptoms of posttraumatic stress and related mental health concerns while promoting resilience in youth and families. Whether you’re a seasoned therapist, system leader, or an advocate eager to understand trauma-informed care, this session will provide practical insights and renewed inspiration for supporting youth on their path to healing.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4 pm
Navigating Changes in Indiana Medicaid Coverage for Mental Health Medications
Carol Ott, PharmD, MPH, BCPP, FAAPP
Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Discussion of legislative changes that have impacted access to mental health medications within Indiana Medicaid and changes to the preferred drug list for mental health medications. The process for evaluation of mental health medications for the preferred drug list and prior authorization criteria will be discussed.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4pm
Cognitive behavioral therapy: Thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and you
Amanda Wakefield, Psy.D., HSPP, ABPP
Clinical Psychologist, Indiana University Health
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine
This session will cover theories and practices underpinning cognitive behavioral therapy and how it is currently used in practice. Findings on efficacy as well as variations for specific clinical applications will be presented. Time will also be spent discussing de-identified clinical examples.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4pm
Welcome to the “data-verse”
Jen Cauthern, MPH Director of Grant and Data Strategy at Mental Health America of Indiana
“Welcome to the Data-verse” is an introduction to the world of data collection, which will cover the why, the what, and the how of becoming data-driven.
• The Why – why data collection matters & why being data driven is important
• The What- Important terms, what to collect, and what shows impact
• The How- how to collect quality data & how to operationalize data consistency
This session will cover some tips and tricks for anyone pulling reports or collecting program data for outcome metrics required by funders. Participants do not need to be good at excel or other data/ visualization software to take this session.”
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4pm
Beyond Advice-Giving: Understanding Motivational Interviewing
Ally Dir, PhD, HSPP
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine
(PhD in clinical psychology)
The session will focus on providing an overview of the theoretical basis for motivational interviewing, best practices, as well as situations for using motivational interviewing across a range of settings and practices.
Dec. 12, 2025 – 3-4pm
Counseling Ethical Dilemma’s
Curt Langhammer LCAC BCPG and Karisa ‘The Magician’ Vandeventer LMHC LCAC CADAC IV CSPR-CL
Counseling can present different scenarios where we must navigate them based upon what is presented. IN this interactive session, explore various ethical dilemma that may arise in counseling and how understanding your ethical expectations and consulting with your colleagues, will assist with remaining ethical in your decision making.
Dec. 12, 2025
Dialectical Behavior Therapy 101: What It Is and How It Helps Address Mental Health Challenges
Tamika C.B. Zapolski, PhD, HSPP Associate Professor, Licensed Psychologist Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps people build skills to manage strong emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships. Combining cognitive-behavioral strategies with mindfulness practices, DBT provides practical tools in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This session will offer a clear and engaging overview of DBT, highlighting how its skills can be used to navigate everyday challenges and support mental health. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of DBT and insight into why it has become such a valuable framework for individuals, families, and professionals seeking effective ways to address emotional and behavioral health needs for both youth and adults.
Dec. 12, 2025
Psilocybin as a Potential Therapeutic for Psychiatric Disorders in Indiana
Susan Conroy MD, PhD & Helen Fox PhD
Psychedelic compounds, particularly psilocybin, have undergone a research renaissance in the last several years. This talk will focus on the mechanisms of action of psilocybin as a therapeutic in psychiatry; current evidence base for psilocybin in depressive and substance use disorders; the challenges inherent in studying psychedelic compounds as therapeutics; and future directions for psilocybin research in Indiana.
Nominate a Hero
Hotel & Travel
Indianapolis Marriott East
7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46219, US
Located in Indianapolis, Marriott Indianapolis East is in the business district, within a 15-minute drive of Indiana State Fairgrounds and Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. This hotel is 8.3 mi (13.4 km) from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and 8.5 mi (13.6 km) from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Stay in one of 315 guestrooms featuring Smart televisions. Satellite programming provides entertainment and wired and wireless internet access is available for a surcharge. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks. Stop by the hotel’s restaurant, Skylight Bistro Wine Bar, for lunch or dinner. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe, and room service (during limited hours) is provided.
Follow us on social media to stay up to date
