Explore the full spectrum of treatment considerations and modalities you can utilize to enhance treatment outcomes. Earn up to 5 pharmacotherapeutic CEs.

“Solutions for Today’s Challenges in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing”
Webinar now available!
Recorded October 8, 2022
Video production by Magnus Media Group Video Production.
Continuing Education: Earn up to 7.3 ANCC-approved contact hours, including 5 pharmacotherapeutic hours. All CEs are available by viewing the recording and completing the extra-credit readings.
Registration fees (includes link to the recording and all conference materials)
$200 for AAPPN Clinical, Emeritus, and Out-of-State Members
$130 for AAPPN Student Members
$250 for nonmembers
Sessions offer new research outcomes and evidence-based tools to support your practice.
- Examine the intersection of trauma and the criminal justice system
- Integrate DBT into your therapy practice
- Explore schizophrenia assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with health equity
Register today for access to the webinar!
Learn about our conference exhibitors in our Exhibitor Hall.
Conference Presentations
Case Studies: The intersection of trauma and the criminal justice system
April A. Gerlock, PhD, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC
PMHNPs with expertise in violence, abuse, and trauma may be sought after to assist legal counsel and the courts in a variety of ways. It may be hard to imagine how a person’s trauma history would be relevant, except for those who experienced the trauma and those who understand how trauma impacts people’s lives.
This intermediate-to-advanced presentation will walk through the process of how someone with a significant trauma history may become involved with the criminal justice system. Psychological sequalae of trauma will be analyzed through three diverse cases by examining:
- The role of substance;
- Mental health disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (cPTSD);
- Juvenile brain development and overlapping similarities with PTSD; and
- The role of the PMHNP in providing expert consultation and testimony.
We’ll cover the basics of the role of expert consultation. We’ll then explore three very different cases that require a deep understanding of the role of trauma in people’s lives, and how that trauma set in motion their involvement with the criminal justice system.
We’ll also discuss trauma-specific treatment and how to apply principles of trauma-informed care in every patient contact.
Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify parameters that impact involvement as an expert.
- Apply knowledge about the psychological impact of trauma to three case scenarios.
- Discuss trauma-informed treatment strategies.
This presentation was supported, in part, by the DOC-ANEW HRSA Grant—Enhancing APRN Workforce Competencies: Combatting the Opioid Crisis in Rural and Underserved WA State Correctional Facilities (#T94H33210). It is an innovative academic-clinical partnership between the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the University of Washington School of Nursing (SoN) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track.
About the speaker

April A. Gerlock, PhD, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, is a board certified adult mental health/psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner and Clinical Professor at the University of Washington, School of Nursing.
Dr. Gerlock has worked with trauma survivors and people with posttraumatic stress disorder for more than 40 years. She has been principal investigator in funded research in intimate partner violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She has published a range of articles pertaining to PTSD, and the intersection of violence and trauma.
Integrating DBT philosophy and structure into your therapy approach
Kathryn E. Korslund, PhD, ABPP
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an established evidence-based treatment designed for individuals who present with multiple and complex mental health problems.
The treatment combines integrative, balancing, change-focused strategies of cognitive-behavioral therapy with acceptance-based principles derived from Eastern Zen practices, Western contemplative spirituality, and validation-based psychotherapy.
This clinically-focused program will take an in-depth exploration of DBT. Examine how DBT can be used effectively in your practice, focusing on underpinning core philosophy, treatment structure, and key strategies suitable for integrating into treatment across a variety of therapy approaches.
Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Discuss core philosophy that underpins DBT.
- List key components of a comprehensive DBT program.
- Identify strategies useful to integrate into their own work.
About the speaker

Kathryn E. Korslund, PhD, ABPP, is the Chief Clinical Officer of THIRA Health, and a member of the clinical faculty of the University of Washington.
Dr. Korslund is a recognized DBT expert, having served as a Research Scientist and the Associate Director of DBT treatment developer Dr. Marsha Linehan’s research, training, and treatment clinic from 2003-2017. She is the co-developer of the DBT Adherence Coding Scale and is an active collaborator with other DBT researchers targeting better outcomes for patients by developing methods to foster adherent DBT treatment delivery.
Dr. Korslund is a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington and holds board certifications from the American Board of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, and the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.
She co-authored a book chapter in the recent publication, the Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (Springer). She has lectured and presented nationally as well as provided consultation and expert testimony for more than 30 years.
Update on schizophrenia assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with health equity
Maria Yang, MD
Schizophrenia remains a significant cause of disability throughout the world. Though some individuals with this diagnosis can and do experience improvement in their symptoms and function, schizophrenia can adversely impact both quality and quantity of life.
Learn updates related to the epidemiology and possible causes of schizophrenia, including genetic, biological, social, and environmental contributors. You’ll also learn current information related to interventions and treatment for schizophrenia, including data related to antipsychotic medications, side effects and their management, and instances when medications do not produce desired outcomes.
We’ll also focus on health equity, as certain populations in the United States may be more likely to receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia due to influences of colonialism and social determinants of health.
Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the current understanding of the epidemiology and causes of schizophrenia.
- Identify internal and external factors which may contribute to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
- Identify the current understanding of medication and other treatments for schizophrenia.
About the speaker

Maria Yang, MD, works as a psychiatrist. Most of her work has been in public health with marginalized populations, including people experiencing co-occurring disorders, homelessness, and incarceration.
She has worked as the medical director for behavioral health services for King County and led the Covid response for Seattle’s largest homelessness service agency. She also likes cookies.
Planning committee
Heather Buzbee, MSN, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC
Sarah Kim, MSN, RN, CNL
Eleanor Lee, PhD, ARNP
Mary Ellen O’Keefe, MN, MBA, PNHCNS-BC, ARNP
Steven Pline, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Jinn Schladweiler, MN, OEHN, PMHNP, ARNP
Contact hours
7.3 contact hours, including 5.0 which can be applied toward pharmacotherapeutic continuing education.
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by Oregon Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Approval valid through 10/08/2024. OCEAN ID #2022-27.