Sports betting apps and video game monetization have created a 24/7 gambling environment for adolescents, but most psychiatrists haven't been trained to identify or treat these emerging problems.

When parents ask about their teen’s gaming habits or betting behaviors, do you feel confident responding?

This interactive forum equips you with practical tools to recognize risk factors, conduct effective screenings, and provide evidence-based guidance to families. Learn from addiction psychiatry experts, discuss real cases, and gain the confidence to intervene early.

Your young patients are already exposed. Be prepared to help them.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this educational activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss developmental and digital risk factors for gambling disorder in youth.
2. Apply validated screening tools for adolescent gambling disorder in clinical practice.
3. Identify evidence-based psychosocial treatments for pediatric gambling disorder.

Presenters

Allison Chang, MD
Stanford University

Gerald Busch, MD
University of Hawaii

Explore the migration journey through a trauma-informed lens, from understanding traumatic exposures at each stage to navigating the legal complexities that affect young immigrants and their families. This session will equip you with culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches essential for providing effective care to this vulnerable population.

Presented by AACAP’s Child Maltreatment and Violence Committee and Diversity and Culture Committee, this interactive session brings together expert perspectives on the complex intersection of migration, trauma, and mental health care.

As immigration continues to rise, understanding migration-related trauma is no longer optional, it’s essential for providing comprehensive, compassionate care.

Speakers

Balkozar Adam, MD
Missouri University School of Medicine

Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv
University of California, Riverside

Shawn Sidhu, MD
University of California, San Diego

Moderator

Ciara Styles, MD
Talkiatry

This virtual forum offers Early Career Psychiatrists (ECPs) a supportive, peer-led space to explore the often-overlooked challenge of sustaining romantic relationships amid the demands of early medical careers. As ECPs navigate geographic relocations, intense clinical responsibilities, and a deep service-oriented mindset, many experience isolation or guilt when trying to prioritize personal connection. Through storytelling, reflection, and shared lived experience, participants will examine how professional demands intersect with personal milestones, including the pursuit of intimacy and partnership. Drawing on developmental and cultural frameworks, this forum aims to normalize these struggles, foster open dialogue, and help ECPs build practical strategies and peer support networks to promote relational well-being alongside career growth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explore the unique relational challenges and opportunities encountered during early career stages in psychiatry.
2. Participants will reflect on how professional demands intersect with personal milestones, including seeking romantic partnership.
3. Participants will develop strategies and peer support networks to promote relational well-being.

Speakers

Afifa Adiba, MD
Mid Atlantic Kaiser Permanente

Abishek Bala, MD
Central Michigan University

Caitlin Briggs, MD
University of Kentucky

Join us for a free virtual town hall highlighting AACAP’s latest advocacy efforts at the federal level in support of child and adolescent psychiatrists and the populations they serve. Learn how policies are being shaped to improve mental health care access, workforce development, and funding for essential services. Hear from experts on current legislative initiatives, key wins, and how you can get involved to make a difference in shaping the future of child and adolescent mental health care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe key state and federal advocacy initiatives that support child and adolescent psychiatrists and their patients.
2.  Analyze the impact of recent legislative and policy developments on access to mental health care for children and adolescents.
3.  Identify specific actions you can take to engage in effective advocacy at both the state and federal levels.

Speakers

Tami D. Benton , MD
AACAP President

Melvin Oatis, MD
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee

Laura Willing, MD
Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee

Alexis Geier-Horan
Chief of Advocacy & Practice Transformation

View all past events in the Virtual Forum archive