MALVERN, PA — Physician associates and assistants specializing in psychiatry will have a unique opportunity to advance their expertise at the inaugural Psych Congress PA Institute, scheduled for December 11-13, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Organized by Psych Congress, the leading provider of psychopharmacology education, this HMP Global program will feature evidence-based sessions designed to empower psychiatric-minded PAs with the tools and knowledge essential for modern clinical practice.
Meeting Rising Mental Health Demands
The need for specialized psychiatric care has never been more pressing. According to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, up to 63% of PAs treat patients with mental health concerns regularly, while 64% report conducting daily mental health screenings in their practices. Recognizing this critical gap in training, the Psych Congress PA Institute, in partnership with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), is stepping in to provide targeted education for PAs who play a vital role in patient care.
“With mental health issues becoming increasingly prevalent, the role of physician associates in providing effective psychiatric care is more important than ever,” said Kevin Williams, MS, MPAS, PA-C, Co-Chair of the Psych Congress PA Institute. “This event is designed to empower PAs with the education and tools they need to better serve their patients.”
Lisa M. Gables, CPA, CEO of AAPA, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the collaboration. “Expanded access to mental healthcare continues to be a dire need in communities all across the country, and PAs are deeply committed to doing their part to ensure patients receive the care, treatment, and ongoing support they need,” she stated. “AAPA is excited to partner with the Psych Congress PA Institute to develop a program that will further the PA workforce’s knowledge and skills in this critical area of patient need.”
Comprehensive Psychiatric Education
The three-day program will focus on critical areas of psychiatric care, from pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy to innovative treatment approaches. Attendees will gain actionable insights from over 15 expert faculty presenters. Topics covered will aim to equip physician associates with comprehensive skills necessary for addressing mental health management in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
The event is co-chaired by a distinguished leadership team, including Kevin Williams; Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C, Psych-CAQ, associate director of interventional psychiatry at DENT Neurologic Institute in New York; Erin Crown, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, managing member of Oasis LifeCare in State College, Pennsylvania; Mercedes Dodge, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, president of PAVMT Virtual Medicine; and James Somers, PA-C, DHSc, DFAAPA, owner and clinician at Nevada Family Psychiatry in Las Vegas.
Growing the Psychiatric PA Community
Psych Congress PA Institute promises to be a milestone event, bringing together hundreds of psychiatric and primary care PAs from across the nation. With a rich lineup of educational offerings and thought leadership, the event stands poised to address the growing need for well-trained mental health professionals.
This commitment to advancing psychiatric care not only reinforces the essential role of PAs in combating the mental health crisis but also ensures that patients everywhere can access the care and attention they deserve. By providing a platform for cutting-edge education and collaboration, the Psych Congress PA Institute is set to make a lasting impact on the field of mental health care.
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