NPA's 37th Annual Conference
Friday, April 25th, 2025
8:30am - 4:30pm
Blind Center of Nevada
1001 N. Bruce Street, Las Vegas NV 89101
6 CE Credits

Approved for Nevada Psychologists, MFTs/CPCs and LCSWs. NPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1) Develop a comprehensive understanding of various AI technologies relevant to clinical practice.
2) Acquire practical skills in assessing opportunities for implementing technology to enhance client benefit within their specific clinical contexts.
3) Gain knowledge of ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in mental healthcare.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Shiri Sharvit, an Associate Professor of Research at Palo Alto University, is a distinguished clinical psychology researcher specializing in the integration of technology into therapeutic practices. Focused on optimizing psychological interventions through innovative therapist-technology collaboration, her work addresses critical gaps in traditional therapy settings, emphasizing real-world applications. With a grant-supported exploration of digital tools, including mobile apps and screening methods, Dr. Sharvit strives to enhance accessibility, engagement, and efficacy in mental health assessment and therapy while reducing stigma. Her contributions include research on early detection apps, seamless integration with therapy sessions, and the ongoing exploration of advanced digital tools within treatment protocols. Dr. Sharvit's CV

Presentation #2: 
A Science Supported Performance Optimization Approach to Mental Health
Presented by Dr. Bradley Donohue
1:15pm - 4:30pm
3 CE Credits

Course Overview:

This presentation reviews theoretical tenants, scientific evidence, and intervention components of a performance optimization-focused Family Behavior Therapy for individuals who evidence specialized skill sets within unique cultures, such as athletes, artists, first resonders, and business executives. Grounded in performance optimization theory, clients are taught to appreciate thoughts, perceptions and actions that are experienced as optimal in performance situations  given their resources and skills at the time. In performance meetings, clients are descriptively praised for these efforts, and they are challenged to report how these efforts can be further optimized in similar future situations. Cognitive, perceptual and behavioral skills are taught using think aloud performance optimization imagery and real-time feedback. They are assigned to imagine performance optimization efforts in simulated performance scenarios prior to sleeping (i.e., dream mapping). The approach has demonstrated success in a dozen outcome evaluations supported by the National Institutes of Health in athletes, and its feasibility has been demonstrated in schools, recreational youth organizations, substance abuse treatment centers and mental health clinics.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will learn theoretical underpinnings and fundamental components of a performance optimization approach to mental health. They will learn how to teach their clients to optimize thoughts, perceptions and actions in performance situations that are relevant to relationships, mental strength and stability, work/school, creativity and physical health/sports. 

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1) Describe Performance Optimization Theory
2) Implement an Orientation to Performance Optimization.
3) Implement Dynamic Goals:
a. encourage clients to attempt thoughts, perceptions and actions in performance situations that are perceived by them to be optimal given their available resources and skill sets
b. encourage or challenge clients to report how their thoughts, perceptions and actions can be optimized in future performance situations, and
4) Administer the Cultural Domains Menu and Semi-Structured Interviews for Culture. 
Other performance optimization exercises will be learned, including rehearsal of performance optimization imagery while talking aloud, and motivational and instructional sandwiches.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Brad Donohue is a licensed clinical psychologist, Distinguished Alumni of Nova Southeastern University, and Fellow of the WPA. He is a Distinguished Professor in the Psychology Department and Director of The Optimum Performance Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His applied research is chiefly focused on the scientific development, evaluation, and dissemination of performance optimization programs, including engagement, assessment, and intervention. He oversees training initiatives that are focused on performance optimization, and he is the author of more than 190 scientific manuscripts, including 7 books. He has directed projects funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and is the recipient of various awards, including the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award, James Mikawa Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology, Donald Schmeidel Lifetime Service Award, and Western Psychological Association’s Outstanding Research Award. Dr. Donohue's CV

Audience:

This presentation is intended for psychologists, other licensed mental health providers, and graduate students of psychology. 

Registration Fees:

NPA Member $185.00 (Early Bird Discount $160.00)
Non-Member $260.00 (Early Bird Discount $210.00)
NPA Student Member $65.00
Student Non-Member $115.00

General Information:

Workshop Location: This workshop will be held in-person at the Blind Center of Nevada in the D.O.T.S. Room, located at 1001 N. Bruce Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101. There are several parking spots in front of the building. Ample parking available behind the building in their overflow parking lot. Enter through front doors, D.O.T.S Room is upstairs (elevator to the left, stairs to the right). To view map, click here

Additional Information: Students from our local universities will be presenting research posters during this conference. Please take the time to look at their work and support our students with their efforts. Please stay for lunch and our Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon Awards Program to learn about our organization and meet our new officers for 2025/2026. 

Food and Beverages:  NPA will be providing a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, a selection of boxed lunches during the lunch hour, and afternoon snacks and beverages. 

Refunds & Grievance Policy: Participants may direct questions or grievances to NPA at (888) 654-0050. An administrative fee of $30 will be charged for cancellation of registration. Please note, no refunds will be granted after April 15th, 2025.

Approval: Nevada Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. NPA will issue certificates of completion by email no later than 5 days after workshop. APA CE rules require that we only issue credits to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving before the entire workshop is completed will not receive CE credits (i.e. partial credit will not be given).

References:
Presentation #1:

Spinrad, A., Taylor, C. B., Ruzek, J. I., Jefroykin, S., Friedlander, T., Feleke, I., … Sadeh-Sharvit, S.* (2024). Action recommendations and review in community-based therapy on depression and anxiety outcomes: A machine learning approach. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 133. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05570-0

Ruzek, J. I., Sadeh-Sharvit, S., Bunge, E. L., Sheperis, D. S., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., Guinn, V., Joseph, R., Cameron, E., Taylor, C. B. (2024). Training the psychologist of the future in the use of digital mental health technologies. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000567

Sheperis, D. S., & Sadeh-Sharvit, S. (2023). Using AI-supported supervision in a university telemental health training clinic. Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision, 4 (1), 3. https://doi.org/10.61888/2692-4129.1093

Sadeh-Sharvit, S., Camp, T. D., Horton, S. E., Hefner, J. D., Berry, J. M., Grossman, E., & Hollon, S. D. (2023). Effects of an Artificial Intelligence Platform for Behavioral Interventions on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e46781. https://doi.org/10.2196/46781

Kellogg, K. C., & Sadeh-Sharvit, S. (2022). Pragmatic AI-augmentation in mental healthcare: Key technologies, potential benefits, and real-world challenges and solutions for frontline clinicians. Frontiers in Psychiatry.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.990370

Presentation #2:

Donohue, B., Gavrilova, Y., Galante, M., Burnstein, B., Aubertin, P., Gavrilova, E., Funk, A., Light, Al., & Benning, S. D. (2018). Empirical development of a screening method for mental, social, and physical wellness in amateur and professional circus artists. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts,14(3), 313–324. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000199

Donohue, B., Galante, M., Maietta, J., Lee, B., Paul, N., Perry, J. E., Corey, A., & Allen, D. N. (2019). Empirical development of a screening method to assist mental health referrals in collegiate athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 13(4), 561-579. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2018-0070

Hussey, J., Donohue, B., Barchard, K., & Allen, D. N. (2019). Family contributions to sport performance and their utility in predicting appropriate referrals to mental health optimization programmes. European Journal of Sport Science, 19(7), 972-982. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1574906

Donohue B, Scott J, Goodwin G, Barchard KA, Bohall G and Allen DN (2023) Initial examination of the mental health disorders: screening instrument for athletes. Front. Psychol. 14:1029229. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1029229

Donohue, B., Gavrilova, E., Danlag, A., Perry, J. Phillips, C., Allen, D. A., & Benning, S. (2020). A comprehensive examination of collegiate athletes’ utilization of psychological assessment and intervention services. Psychology in the Schools, 58(3), 458–474. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22458

Donohue, B., O’Dowd, A., Plant, C.P., Phillips, C., Loughran, T.A., & Gavrilova, Y. (2016). Controlled evaluation of a method to assist recruitment of participants into treatment outcome research and engage student athletes into substance abuse intervention. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 10, 272 -288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2015-0022

Phrathep, D., Donohue, B., Renn, B. N., Mercer, J., & Allen, D. N. (2023). Sport and mental health performance optimization in an adolescent gymnast: a case evaluation. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1018861

Phrathep, D., Donohue, B., & Allen, D. (2022). Family-based optimization intervention implemented through video-conferencing to address major depressive disorder in a Latina adolescent athlete during COVID-19. Sports Social Work Journal, 1(1), 13-34. 

Phrathep, D., Donohue, B., Renn, B. N., Mercer, J., & Allen, D. N. (2022). Controlled evaluation of a sport-specific performance optimization program in a biracial black and white athlete diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. Clinical Case Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501221117827

Chow, G., Donohue, B., Pitts, M., Schubert, K., Loughran, T., Gavrilova, Y., & Diaz, E. (2015). Results of a single case controlled study of The Optimum Performance Program in Sports in a collegiate athlete. Clinical Case Studies,14(3) 191–209.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650114548313

​Donohue, B. Chow, G., Pitts, M., Loughran, T., Schubert, K., Gavrilova, Y., Allen, D. N. (2015). Piloting a family-supported approach to concurrently optimize mental health and sport performance in  Athletes. Clinical Case Studies, 14(3), 159-177. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650114548311

Donohue, B., Gavrilova, Y., Galante, M., Gavrilova, E., Loughrana, T., Scott, J., Chow, G., Plant, C., & Allen, D. A.(2018). Controlled evaluation of an optimization approach to mental health and sport performance. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 12(2), 234–267. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0054

Donohue, B., Loughran, T., Pitts, M., Gavrilova, Y, Chow, G. M., Soto-Nevarez, A, & Schubert, K. (2016). Preliminary development of a brief intervention to prevent alcohol misuse and enhance sport performance in collegiate athletes. Journal of Drug Abuse, 2(3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.21767/2471-853X.100035.

Donohue, B., Phrathep, D., Stucki, K., Kowal, I., Breslin, G., Cohen, M., White, S., Jefferson, L., White, T., Irvin, J., Reese, G., Kessler, FHP, Kieslich da Silva, A., Gabriel Santos da Silva, F., Fothergill, M., Robinson, G., Allen, H., Light, A., & Allen, D. A. (2021). Adapting an evidence-supported intervention to optimize mental health and sport performance for collegiate athletes to fit youth from ethnic/racial minority and low-income neighborhoods: A National Institutes of Health Supported stage model feasibility study. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 57(3), 226-247. https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174211006547

Galante, M. & Donohue, B. (2019). The Optimum Performance Program in Sports: A case of Bulimia Nervosa in a lean sport athlete. In G. Breslin & G. Leavey (Eds.), Mental health and well-being interventions in sport: A case study analysis. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 

Gavrilova, Y., Donohue, B., & Galante, M. (2017). Mental health and sport performance  programming in athletes who present without pathology: A case examination supporting optimization. Clinical Case Studies, 16(3), 234-253. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501166689302.

Pitts, M., Donohue, B., Schubert, Chow, G., K. N., Lougrhan, T., Gavrilova, Y. (2015). A systematic case examination of The Optimum Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS) in a combative sport. Clinical Case Studies, 14(3), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650114548312

​Phrathep, D., Donohue, B., Kraus, S., Paul, M., & Mercer, J. (2021). A controlled evaluation of a sport-specific performance optimization program in an athlete diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder within the Context of COVID 19. Clinical Case Studies, 21(3), 209-234. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501211048508

Bobek, M., Hogue, A., Daleiden, E., MacLean, A., Porter, N., Cela, T., Marcellin, L. H., Diamond, G., & Donohue, B. (2024). Competency guidelines for family collaboration in behavioral health services for adolescents. Contemporary Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-024-09696-x

Donohue B, Scott J, Goodwin G, Barchard KA, Bohall G and Allen DN (2023) Initial examination of the mental health disorders: screening instrument for athletes. Front. Psychol. 14:1029229. doi:  10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1029229