Thank you for attending!
The ISTSS Annual Meeting is a global forum for professionals and researchers dedicated to understanding and addressing the impact of trauma. We bring together diverse perspectives to advance scientific knowledge, develop effective treatments, and inform public policy. By bridging the gap between research and practice, we aim to improve the lives of those affected by traumatic stress worldwide.
Nine different languages, one amazing meeting! Read about it here:
Meet our keynote speakers!
Megan L. Ranney, MD, MPH, FACEP
Yale University
Chris Brewin, PhD
University College London
The ISTSS Annual Meeting provides a forum for the dissemination of theoretical work, scientific research, and evidence-based clinical approaches in traumatic stress studies. The annual meeting also includes work aimed at informing public policy. At the annual meeting, professionals and stakeholders develop and strengthen collaborative relationships to move the field of traumatic stress forward. It is an international and interdisciplinary assembly, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, researchers, administrators, victim advocates, journalists, clergy, and others with an interest in the study and treatment of traumatic stress.
Many individuals around the world experience significant adversity and trauma, including pandemics, war, violence, racism, and historical oppression. Such events impact a wide range of mental, social, and physical health outcomes across the lifespan. While significant advances in the field of traumatic stress studies have been made, the timeline for the dissemination and implementation of research findings into practice is longer than optimal, delaying the positive contributions of science in real-world contexts. There remains a critical gap in translating research findings from laboratory settings to clinical work and ultimately to the broader global community. Hence, there needs to be an ongoing discussion on innovative research, clinical methodologies, and policies that draw from, and combine, traumatic stress theory, basic science, experimental research, clinical insights, and implementation to move the field of trauma research and practice forward.
The ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting will focus on innovative strategies to apply basic science knowledge to the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress, as well as on the translation of scientific findings into actionable interventions for the global community. In pursuit of this goal, we seek submissions specific to the field of traumatic stress on topics related—but not limited—to:
- Application of biomedical science findings to inform assessments and interventions for traumatic stress symptoms/disorders.
- Research investigating the psychological, biological, social and behavioral mechanisms that underlie post-trauma mental health.
- Research taking a life course perspective to address to address the spectrum of translational science research.
- Evidence-based practices and innovative research in basic science, intervention development and implementation, and policy.
- Innovative transdiagnostic treatment approaches addressing the myriad consequences of trauma.
- Cutting-edge research methodologies and statistical frameworks for translational science research.
- Ethical implications and considerations associated with the application of translational science in traumatic stress studies.
- Ways to effectively communicate and disseminate research to different stakeholders.
- Ways to cultivate translational science and interdisciplinary exchange.
- Challenges and debates in the area of translational science.
- Translational science as applicable to the global community.
Broadly, the scientific content of this meeting aims to bridge the gap between bench, bedside, and implementation in the field of traumatic stress science and enhance a seamless translation of scientific knowledge into meaningful and feasible solutions. Ultimately, the goal of this meeting is to reduce the public and economic health burden of traumatic stress symptoms for the global community and foster patient outcomes, understanding and management of traumatic stress symptoms and community resilience in the face of trauma. You will learn to:
- Discuss foundational concepts and methodologies of translational science in the context of traumatic stress studies globally.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in translating research outcomes from bench to bedside.
- Formulate and implement evidence-based interventions and best practices to integrate scientific research into clinical practice.
- Devise innovation solutions to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries, clinical practice, as well as policy development and public health initiatives.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Registration | 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
8:30 AM - 12 PM
Pre-Meeting Institute - Morning Half-Day Sessions
- How to Find, Re-use, and Share Data for Broader Impact: Practical Tools and Tips for FAIR Data
- Nancy Kassam-Adams, PhD, Chair
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Nancy Kassam-Adams, PhD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Anke de Haan, PhD
Ruhr University Bochum, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Department of Clinical Child and
Adolescent Psychology
Denise Hien, PhD
Rutgers University
Meghan Marsac, Ph
Kentucky Children's/Univ of Kentucky
Maya O'Neil, PhD
VA Portland Healthcare System
Yaara Sadeh, PhD
Haifa University
Antonio Morgan-Lopez
RTI International
- Nancy Kassam-Adams, PhD, Chair
- Adapting Prolonged Exposure for Clinical Complexities: Navigating Comorbidities and Diversity Factors Effectively
- Lisa-Ann Cuccurullo, Chair
National Center for PTSD- Executive Division
Brittany Davis, PhD
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Brittany Hall-Clark, PhD
Univ of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Heather Kacos
Orlando Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
- Lisa-Ann Cuccurullo, Chair
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Moral Injury (ACT-MI): A Transdiagnostic Approach to Finding Freedom after Moral Violations
- Lauren Borges, PhD, Chair
Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Jacob Farnsworth, PhD Presenter
VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System
Sean Barnes, PhD
Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention
Robyn Walser, PhD
National Center for PTSD
- Lauren Borges, PhD, Chair
8:30 AM - 5 PM
Pre-Meeting Institute - Full Day Sessions
- Inside the Black Box: A Dynamic Systems Framework and Methods to Understand Resilience and Impairment Following Trauma
- Bernard Ricca, PhD, Chair
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Bernard Ricca, PhD
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Charles Benight, PhD
Univ of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Jonathan Butner, PhD
University of Utah
- Bernard Ricca, PhD, Chair
- Addressing the Silent Epidemic of Childhood Grief Using Evidence-Based Best Practices
- Julie Kaplow, PhD, Chair
Marisa Nowitz, MSW
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Oscar Widales-Benitez, PhD
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- Julie Kaplow, PhD, Chair
Paper in a Day: Projects 1 & 2 (Invitation Only)
1:30 PM - 5 PM
Pre-Meeting Institute - Afternoon Half-Day Sessions
- Introduction to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 -- Revised (CAPS-5-R)
- Frank Weathers, PhD, Chair
National Center for PTSD
Christina Byrne, PhD
Western Washington Univ
Michelle Bovin, PhD
National Center for PTSD
Daniel Lee, PhD
National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Boston University School of Medicine
Jess Petri, PhD
Anxiety and Trauma Clinic of Atlanta
Brianna Jackson, MS
Auburn University
- Frank Weathers, PhD, Chair
- Navigating Barriers in Evidence-Based Practice
- Sarah Voss Horrell, PhD, Chair
Salem VA Medical Center
Michelle Bowen, MSW
Veterans Health Administration
Ric Monroe, PhD
VA Augusta Health Care System
- Sarah Voss Horrell, PhD, Chair
- Moral Injury Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment: A Practical Review of the Evidence and New Directions for Research and Treatment
- Stephanie Houle, PhD, Chair
MacDonald/Franklin OSI Research Centre
Sheila Frankfurt O'Brien, PhD
VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans
- Stephanie Houle, PhD, Chair
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Registration | 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
8 AM - 9:20 AM
Awards & Keynote: Confronting Firearm Injury and Its Ripple Effects: Insights and Opportunities from the Field of Public Health,
Megan Ranney, MD, MPH
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Concurrent 1
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Poster Session 1 Viewing
11 AM - 12:15 PM
Concurrent 2
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent 2
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Poster Session 1 Presentations
1:45 PM - 3 PM
Concurrent 3
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent 4
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Poster Session 2 Viewing
4:45 PM - 6 PM
Concurrent 5
5:45 PM - 7 PM
Poster Session 2 Presentations
** 7 PM - 8:30 PM **
40th Anniversary Welcome Reception
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Registration | 7 AM - 6 PM
8 AM - 9:20 AM
Keynote: Harnessing Psychedelics for Treating PTSD: Does the Science Support All the Hype?
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Concurrent 6
Invited Panel: Structures, systems, History and the Consequences of Trauma, Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Poster Session 3 Viewing
11 AM - 12:15 PM
Concurrent 7
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch on Your Own
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Student Lunch (by Invitation)
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Poster Session 3 Presentations
1:45 PM - 3 PM
Concurrent 8
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Internship & Postdoctoral Program Networking Fair
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent 9
5 PM - 5:45 PM
Business Meeting
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Registration | 7 AM - 12 PM
8 AM - 9:20 AM
Lifetime Achievement Keynote - Key Concepts, Methods, Findings, and Questions about Traumatic Memories, Chris Brewin, PhD
8 AM - 10:45 AM
Poster Session 4 Viewing
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Concurrent 10
10:45 AM - 12 PM
Poster Session 4 Presentations
11 AM - 12:15 PM
Concurrent 11
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:45 PM - 3 PM
Invited Closing Presidential Panel: Innovative Approaches to Improving the Mental Health of Refugees and Asylum-Seekers