Conference Speaker Topic Selection Prompt

Please consider a presentation topic that addresses one or more of these key areas:

1. Your Professional Role in Chronic Illness Care

• What does treatment look like in your field for clients with chronic conditions?

• What are the most common misconceptions therapists have about your profession?

• How do you assess and treat symptoms that may overlap with mental health presentations?

2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• When and how should therapists refer to your profession?

• What information do you need from a therapist when receiving a referral?

• How can therapists better support your treatment recommendations?

• What are the biggest barriers you face in collaborative care?

3. Education for Therapists

• What should every therapist know about [your field] when working with chronic illness clients?

• What physical/medical factors commonly impact mental health that therapists should recognize?

• How can therapists identify when a client might benefit from your services?

4. Myth-Busting and Evidence-Based Practice

• What myths or misconceptions about your field circulate on social media or in popular culture?

• What does the current research actually show about [relevant treatments/approaches]?

• How can therapists help clients navigate misinformation about your field?

Mental Health Therapists:

• "Medical Trauma and Healthcare PTSD: Understanding Your Clients' Medical Experiences"

• "Medication Side Effects That Look Like Mental Health Symptoms"

• "Building Bridges: How Therapists Can Advocate for Clients in Medical Settings"

Physical Therapists:

• "Pain Science for Therapists: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection"

• "When Movement Matters: Recognizing Physical Contributors to Mental Health Symptoms"

• "Collaborative Care in Chronic Pain: What Therapists Need to Know About PT"

Registered Dietitians:

• "Nutrition Myths in Chronic Illness: Helping Clients Separate Fact from Fiction"

• "The Gut-Brain Connection: How Nutrition Impacts Mental Health"

• "Supporting Clients with Chronic Illness: When to Refer to a Dietitian"

Medical Doctors/Specialists:

• "Understanding Diagnostic Timelines: Why Medical Answers Take Time"

• "Common Chronic Conditions That Mimic Mental Health Symptoms"

• "What Happens During [Specialty] Appointments: Demystifying Medical Visits for Therapists"

• "Lab Values and Imaging: What Results Mean for Your Client's Daily Functioning"

• "The Medical Side of Chronic Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Cognitive Symptoms"

Integrative/Functional Doctors:

• "Integrative Approaches to Chronic Illness: Collaboration vs. Competition"

• "Understanding CAM: Helping Clients Navigate Alternative Medicine Safely"

• "Root Cause vs. Symptom Management: Different Approaches, Shared Goals"

• Presentations that only focus on your profession without connecting to mental health

• Sales pitches for specific products, programs, or services

• Content that promises to "cure" chronic conditions

• Purely academic presentations without practical application

• Topics that fall outside evidence-based and emerging practices

Your presentation will be submitted for NBCC, ACSW, and CRCC continuing education credit approval. Content should:

• Be directly relevant to mental health practice

• Include current, evidence-based information

• Provide practical skills therapists can apply with clients

• Meet professional quality standards