Monday, June 30, 2025
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A curated listing of international critical psychology conferences and events. Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to suggest an event.

Events in June 2025

  • A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 8, 2025

    You’re invited to a special premiere of the documentary A STONE UNTURNED, a feature film about screen time, autism, and early child development. 

    Those who register can view the film on Show & Tell between June 5th and 8th.

    Special panel discussion on June 7th at 1pm EDT will be linked on Show & Tell.

    Today 1 in 31 children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, an increase of nearly five-fold since 2000 when the CDC first began tracking the condition. While the causes of autism remain controversial, research indicates as much as 40-50% of an individual’s autism can be attributed to environmental factors.

    A STONE UNTURNED explores the latest research around a possible environmental trigger for autism and autism related symptoms, specifically excessive screen time exposure for children under the age of 3 years. The documentary interviews leading clinicians and autism researchers who are looking into screen exposure from the United States, France, Canada, and Romania, as well as families and early interventionists who reduce children’s screen time and see a reversal and remediation of autism related symptoms. 

     

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    War Cry For Change to End Veteran Overprescribing

    War Cry For Change to End Veteran Overprescribing

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 6, 2025

    Grunt Style Foundation's 'War Cry For Change' Roundtable in partnership with VFW and DAV

    June 4, 2025

    6:00 PM - Pre-Event Medicating Normal- Filmscreening/Panel Discussion: Kellogg Conference Hotel Theater at Gallaudet University

    June 5, 2025:

    9:00 AM - Press Conference: House Triangle Sponsored by Congressman Jack Bergman

    9:15 AM - Irreverent Warriors "Hike to Heal" to National Mall for Skull of Sacrifice Remembrance Ceremony

    12:00 PM - Roundtable Discussion with Panelists: US Capitol Visitors Center SVC 212-10

    Summary:

    This two-day summit on Capitol Hill bringing together legislators, veterans, surviving families, mental health professionals, veteran service organizations, and global experts to examine the role medications play in veteran suicides. Together, we will chart a path toward reducing harm in mental health treatment and prescribing practices, while working to improve the quality of life for all veterans and their families.

    The Events

    The summit will begin on June 4th with a pre-event screening of the award-winning documentary, Medicating Normal. Thursday, June 5th's events will begin with a press conference on Capitol Hill featuring members of Congress, veteran leaders, and families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Immediately after, the Washington, DC Chapter of Irreverent Warriors will lead a “Hike to Heal” from Capitol Hill to the National Mall, culminating in the unveiling of a powerful public art installation symbolizing the lives lost and the silence endured by our community. Veterans and families will be invited to toss prescription pill bottles into the skull as a symbol of solidarity against the overprescribing of veterans by the VA. At 12:00 PM, a roundtable will convene veterans with lived experience, surviving families, researchers, and clinicians to share their stories and insights. The purpose of this gathering is to educate Congressional staff, elected officials, veteran service organization leadership, and veteran advocates on the connection between psychiatric medications and veteran suicide—and to explore solutions that reduce harm and promote healing for veterans and their families.

    Featured Experts

    We are honored to welcome renowned thought leaders in medicine, research, and advocacy, including:

    • Dr. Peter Gøtzsche – Physician, researcher, and co-founder of the Cochrane Collaboration
    • Robert Whitaker – Investigative journalist, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic, and founder of Mad in America
    • Kim Witczak – Global drug safety advocate, marketing executive, and former member of the FDA’s Psychopharmacological Drug Advisory Committee
    • Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring – Board-certified psychiatrist, founder of the Taper Clinic, former FDA regulator, and clinical researcher at Janssen
    • Angela Peacock – MSW, CPC, – MSW, CPC, Combat Veteran, Psych Drug Withdrawal Consultant, Veteran Advocate, Coach

    Building on Momentum

    This convening builds upon the success of GSF’s Veterans Harm Reduction Summits—held previously in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Those events brought together state agencies, national and local veteran organizations, and leaders from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    The summit series draws inspiration from the FDA’s 1991 “Prozac Hearings” and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s 2010 hearings of the same name. These landmark hearings spotlighted expert testimony, research linking medications to suicides, and firsthand accounts of harm. Despite their significance, no meaningful reforms followed.

    Why Now

    As our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, it's clear that we must take a closer look at all factors contributing to the veteran suicide crisis—including the complex role of psychiatric medications. In recent years, both emerging research and powerful stories from veterans and their families have pointed to the need for more careful, individualized approaches to prescribing and deprescribing. By revisiting this long-neglected aspect of care, we have a unique opportunity to elevate diverse perspectives, share the latest data and lived experiences, and collaborate on meaningful, evidence-based solutions. In 2025, we are calling on leaders across all sectors to join us in advancing harm reduction strategies that prioritize safety, informed choice, and the long-term well-being of those who have served.

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  • A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 8, 2025

    You’re invited to a special premiere of the documentary A STONE UNTURNED, a feature film about screen time, autism, and early child development. 

    Those who register can view the film on Show & Tell between June 5th and 8th.

    Special panel discussion on June 7th at 1pm EDT will be linked on Show & Tell.

    Today 1 in 31 children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, an increase of nearly five-fold since 2000 when the CDC first began tracking the condition. While the causes of autism remain controversial, research indicates as much as 40-50% of an individual’s autism can be attributed to environmental factors.

    A STONE UNTURNED explores the latest research around a possible environmental trigger for autism and autism related symptoms, specifically excessive screen time exposure for children under the age of 3 years. The documentary interviews leading clinicians and autism researchers who are looking into screen exposure from the United States, France, Canada, and Romania, as well as families and early interventionists who reduce children’s screen time and see a reversal and remediation of autism related symptoms. 

     

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    War Cry For Change to End Veteran Overprescribing

    War Cry For Change to End Veteran Overprescribing

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 6, 2025

    Grunt Style Foundation's 'War Cry For Change' Roundtable in partnership with VFW and DAV

    June 4, 2025

    6:00 PM - Pre-Event Medicating Normal- Filmscreening/Panel Discussion: Kellogg Conference Hotel Theater at Gallaudet University

    June 5, 2025:

    9:00 AM - Press Conference: House Triangle Sponsored by Congressman Jack Bergman

    9:15 AM - Irreverent Warriors "Hike to Heal" to National Mall for Skull of Sacrifice Remembrance Ceremony

    12:00 PM - Roundtable Discussion with Panelists: US Capitol Visitors Center SVC 212-10

    Summary:

    This two-day summit on Capitol Hill bringing together legislators, veterans, surviving families, mental health professionals, veteran service organizations, and global experts to examine the role medications play in veteran suicides. Together, we will chart a path toward reducing harm in mental health treatment and prescribing practices, while working to improve the quality of life for all veterans and their families.

    The Events

    The summit will begin on June 4th with a pre-event screening of the award-winning documentary, Medicating Normal. Thursday, June 5th's events will begin with a press conference on Capitol Hill featuring members of Congress, veteran leaders, and families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Immediately after, the Washington, DC Chapter of Irreverent Warriors will lead a “Hike to Heal” from Capitol Hill to the National Mall, culminating in the unveiling of a powerful public art installation symbolizing the lives lost and the silence endured by our community. Veterans and families will be invited to toss prescription pill bottles into the skull as a symbol of solidarity against the overprescribing of veterans by the VA. At 12:00 PM, a roundtable will convene veterans with lived experience, surviving families, researchers, and clinicians to share their stories and insights. The purpose of this gathering is to educate Congressional staff, elected officials, veteran service organization leadership, and veteran advocates on the connection between psychiatric medications and veteran suicide—and to explore solutions that reduce harm and promote healing for veterans and their families.

    Featured Experts

    We are honored to welcome renowned thought leaders in medicine, research, and advocacy, including:

    • Dr. Peter Gøtzsche – Physician, researcher, and co-founder of the Cochrane Collaboration
    • Robert Whitaker – Investigative journalist, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic, and founder of Mad in America
    • Kim Witczak – Global drug safety advocate, marketing executive, and former member of the FDA’s Psychopharmacological Drug Advisory Committee
    • Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring – Board-certified psychiatrist, founder of the Taper Clinic, former FDA regulator, and clinical researcher at Janssen
    • Angela Peacock – MSW, CPC, – MSW, CPC, Combat Veteran, Psych Drug Withdrawal Consultant, Veteran Advocate, Coach

    Building on Momentum

    This convening builds upon the success of GSF’s Veterans Harm Reduction Summits—held previously in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Those events brought together state agencies, national and local veteran organizations, and leaders from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    The summit series draws inspiration from the FDA’s 1991 “Prozac Hearings” and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s 2010 hearings of the same name. These landmark hearings spotlighted expert testimony, research linking medications to suicides, and firsthand accounts of harm. Despite their significance, no meaningful reforms followed.

    Why Now

    As our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, it's clear that we must take a closer look at all factors contributing to the veteran suicide crisis—including the complex role of psychiatric medications. In recent years, both emerging research and powerful stories from veterans and their families have pointed to the need for more careful, individualized approaches to prescribing and deprescribing. By revisiting this long-neglected aspect of care, we have a unique opportunity to elevate diverse perspectives, share the latest data and lived experiences, and collaborate on meaningful, evidence-based solutions. In 2025, we are calling on leaders across all sectors to join us in advancing harm reduction strategies that prioritize safety, informed choice, and the long-term well-being of those who have served.

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  • A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 8, 2025

    You’re invited to a special premiere of the documentary A STONE UNTURNED, a feature film about screen time, autism, and early child development. 

    Those who register can view the film on Show & Tell between June 5th and 8th.

    Special panel discussion on June 7th at 1pm EDT will be linked on Show & Tell.

    Today 1 in 31 children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, an increase of nearly five-fold since 2000 when the CDC first began tracking the condition. While the causes of autism remain controversial, research indicates as much as 40-50% of an individual’s autism can be attributed to environmental factors.

    A STONE UNTURNED explores the latest research around a possible environmental trigger for autism and autism related symptoms, specifically excessive screen time exposure for children under the age of 3 years. The documentary interviews leading clinicians and autism researchers who are looking into screen exposure from the United States, France, Canada, and Romania, as well as families and early interventionists who reduce children’s screen time and see a reversal and remediation of autism related symptoms. 

     

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  • A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    A Stone Unturned: Special Premiere & Panel Discussion

    –
    June 5, 2025 – June 8, 2025

    You’re invited to a special premiere of the documentary A STONE UNTURNED, a feature film about screen time, autism, and early child development. 

    Those who register can view the film on Show & Tell between June 5th and 8th.

    Special panel discussion on June 7th at 1pm EDT will be linked on Show & Tell.

    Today 1 in 31 children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, an increase of nearly five-fold since 2000 when the CDC first began tracking the condition. While the causes of autism remain controversial, research indicates as much as 40-50% of an individual’s autism can be attributed to environmental factors.

    A STONE UNTURNED explores the latest research around a possible environmental trigger for autism and autism related symptoms, specifically excessive screen time exposure for children under the age of 3 years. The documentary interviews leading clinicians and autism researchers who are looking into screen exposure from the United States, France, Canada, and Romania, as well as families and early interventionists who reduce children’s screen time and see a reversal and remediation of autism related symptoms. 

     

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  • Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    –
    June 24, 2025 – June 26, 2025

    Starts on Tuesday, June 24 ¡ 12pm EDT

    Many trainings on self-injury are ineffective because they focus on pathologizing the experience and trying to force people to stop. In this workshop, we will embrace harm reduction philosophy to go deeper into the context of self-injury on both an individual and social level. We will also explore how letting go of force and coercion can open new avenues of support. This includes managing our own fears so they don't get in the way or drive us to do something that is more harm than help!

    This workshop is open to anyone including clinicians, peer supporters, family members, first responders and others interested in learning how to better support a person who is self-injuring.

    This workshop will cover:

    • Reasons why people self-injure
    • Different types of self-injury
    • How to effectively support people who are self-injuring

    Training Dates:

    Tuesday, June 24th

    Thursday, June 26th

    Both days will run from 12-4pm Eastern Time (11am-3pm Central / 10am-2pm Mountain / 9am-1pm Pacific).

    A note about cost: Tickets are available on a sliding scale. However, if the current prices are not accessible for you or if you are a Wildflower employee who should be registering for free, please e-mail us at [email protected] so we can work with you to get registered.

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  • Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    –
    June 24, 2025 – June 26, 2025

    Starts on Tuesday, June 24 ¡ 12pm EDT

    Many trainings on self-injury are ineffective because they focus on pathologizing the experience and trying to force people to stop. In this workshop, we will embrace harm reduction philosophy to go deeper into the context of self-injury on both an individual and social level. We will also explore how letting go of force and coercion can open new avenues of support. This includes managing our own fears so they don't get in the way or drive us to do something that is more harm than help!

    This workshop is open to anyone including clinicians, peer supporters, family members, first responders and others interested in learning how to better support a person who is self-injuring.

    This workshop will cover:

    • Reasons why people self-injure
    • Different types of self-injury
    • How to effectively support people who are self-injuring

    Training Dates:

    Tuesday, June 24th

    Thursday, June 26th

    Both days will run from 12-4pm Eastern Time (11am-3pm Central / 10am-2pm Mountain / 9am-1pm Pacific).

    A note about cost: Tickets are available on a sliding scale. However, if the current prices are not accessible for you or if you are a Wildflower employee who should be registering for free, please e-mail us at [email protected] so we can work with you to get registered.

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  • Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    Harm Reduction Approach to Self-Injury (June '25)

    –
    June 24, 2025 – June 26, 2025

    Starts on Tuesday, June 24 ¡ 12pm EDT

    Many trainings on self-injury are ineffective because they focus on pathologizing the experience and trying to force people to stop. In this workshop, we will embrace harm reduction philosophy to go deeper into the context of self-injury on both an individual and social level. We will also explore how letting go of force and coercion can open new avenues of support. This includes managing our own fears so they don't get in the way or drive us to do something that is more harm than help!

    This workshop is open to anyone including clinicians, peer supporters, family members, first responders and others interested in learning how to better support a person who is self-injuring.

    This workshop will cover:

    • Reasons why people self-injure
    • Different types of self-injury
    • How to effectively support people who are self-injuring

    Training Dates:

    Tuesday, June 24th

    Thursday, June 26th

    Both days will run from 12-4pm Eastern Time (11am-3pm Central / 10am-2pm Mountain / 9am-1pm Pacific).

    A note about cost: Tickets are available on a sliding scale. However, if the current prices are not accessible for you or if you are a Wildflower employee who should be registering for free, please e-mail us at [email protected] so we can work with you to get registered.

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    Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy for Psychosis: Living Well w/ Psychosis

    Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy for Psychosis: Living Well w/ Psychosis

    –
    June 26, 2025

    Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 9am PDT, 12pm EDT, 5pm BST, 7pm CEST

    Many people who experience psychosis have difficulties with motivation and connection (commonly referred to as “negative symptoms”) that make them the least likely to engage in psychosocial treatments. Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy for Psychosis was developed with the intent of reaching these people. Instead of focusing on symptoms or problems, it works by connecting with the person’s interests and supporting their aspirations, helping them to recover and gain the life they want.

    In this webinar, we will review the fundamentals of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy, including the basic model and research. We will discuss clinical applications, providing a taste for providers interested in trying out the treatment now. We will also introduce a new book designed to help individuals with psychosis find ways to recover and live well, along with how providers can use this book in their work with such individuals. The writing process behind the book will also be discussed.

    Single Ticket: Attendees can pay what they wish, with a recommended donation of $10-40 USD. Funds will support Mad in America’s work as a non-profit organization. We understand that not everyone can afford the expense at this time. Please type in the code recovery for a free ticket as needed.

    GET FREE ACCESS TO EVENTS! As an alternative to buying a single ticket, you may opt to become an MIA donor for $5 USD per month or $20 USD per year. All active MIA donors receive free access to our events and unrestricted access to our content. Please see our donate page to sign up. Once signed up as a donor, you will receive an automated email with your free event access code. You will enter this code at the Eventbrite checkout instead of a credit card.

    Ask a Question: If you'd like to submit a question for the panel, please email it to [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event. We will review all questions and choose those most relevant to the audience and topic. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the discussion. Thank you!

    About the Presenter

    Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, where he employs evidence-based treatments to help people recover from serious mental health conditions. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Brinen is a codeveloper of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world.

    About the Book, Living Well with Psychosis: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life

    While mental health is thankfully no longer a taboo topic, the experience of psychosis is still highly stigmatized. Leading psychologist Aaron P. Brinen busts myths and helps readers build the lives they want in this empowering book. An expert in recovery from serious mental illness, Dr. Brinen provides step-by-step guidance for becoming a strong self-advocate, navigating treatment options, managing symptoms that cause distress, connecting with others, and pursuing school and work goals. The brief, engaging chapters are warm and compassionate, with downloadable practical tools expressly designed to boost energy and motivation for getting out into the world. Readers can read this book cover to cover or dip into it any time they need extra support to live well and feel good.

    To order the book with a 15% discount (good through 10/31/25) go to this link and in the box for "special promotional prices" enter the code "MIA2025" then click "apply."

    About the Host

    Ron Unger draws on his own experiences with extreme states of mind to guide his work as a therapist and educator specializing in humanistic approaches to “psychosis.” His special interests are in the intersection of trauma and psychosis, and in addressing cultural, spiritual, and philosophical issues and differences within treatment. He explores diverse perspectives on tricky mental states and possible pathways toward transformation, recovery, and healing, on his blog at recoveryfrompsychosis.org.

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  • Bridging to Recovery When Deprescribing Psychiatric Drugs, with Anders Sørensen, PhD

    Bridging to Recovery When Deprescribing Psychiatric Drugs, with Anders Sørensen, PhD

    –
    June 27, 2025

    Friday, June 27, 2025
    10-11 a.m PST  |  1-2 p.m. EST  |  5-6 p.m. GMT
    Register today! Registration closes noon PST June 26, 2025

    When psychiatric drug treatment comes to an end, how may a clinician minimize the risk of withdrawal or relapse while deprescribing? In this webinar presented by the Psychotropic Deprescribing Council, Danish psychologist and researcher Anders Sørensen, PhD offers his views on this important clinical skill, discussing his work in helping patients find their ways through tapering off antidepressants and psychiatric drugs to a new life supported by  psychotherapy.

    A short question and answer period will follow Anders’s presentation. A video of the webinar will be available for those who register but find they cannot attend. Please register for this webinar today.

    Early in his training, Anders observed that the masking effects of psychiatric drugs often interfered with his clients’ abilities to address the root causes of their emotional distress and that these drugs could be very difficult to stop. He then obtained his PhD in psychiatric drug tapering and now specializes in advising people how to come off psychiatric drugs through gradual, hyperbolic tapering while providing psychotherapy to enable them to stay off.

    Anders’s most recent work is a book, Crossing Zero – The Art and Science of Coming and Staying Off Psychiatric Drugs, to be published this summer, which incorporates the concept of recovery into psychiatric drug treatment. The first part of the book provides a clear, thoughtful interpretation of  how psychiatric drugs do and do not work. In the second part, Anders explains the science of hyperbolic tapering and step-by-step methods to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms. In the last part, Life beyond Medication, Anders explores psychotherapeutic approaches to overcoming the difficult thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that underlie our various mental health diagnostic labels.

    Anders’s scientific research includes systematic reviews such as Sørensen, et al. (2022). Description of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms in clinical practice guidelines on depression: A systematic review and Sørensen, et al. (2021). The relationship between dose and serotonin transporter occupancy of antidepressants—A systematic review. In addition to his writing, research, and clinical practice, Anders shares information about psychiatric drug tapering with the general public through social media, interviews, articles, and his popular YouTube channel, @AndersSorensen.

    Register today! We will email a reminder and webinar link shortly before the date of the webinar. Registration closes noon PST June 26, 2025. If you cannot attend but are interested in receiving notification of other PDC events, please complete this form.

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