Lifestyle & Integrative Psychiatry at AACAP Annual Meeting 2026
51 sessions on lifestyle & integrative psychiatry · October 26–31, 2026, Atlanta, GA. Compare lifestyle & integrative psychiatry at other meetings →
Monday, October 26
13:00–14:30 · Workshop · Other Programs
Osteopathic Psychiatry: A Hidden Strength in Clinicians and in Your Training Program
Jeena Kar · Nimisha Lingappa · Ricardo A. Maldonado-Puebla
Explores how osteopathic training and principles can be integrated into child and adolescent psychiatry residency and fellowship. Includes demonstrations of osteopathic techniques and gait analysis, role-play, and strategies for educators to support osteopathic trainees.
Child & Adolescent · Collaborative & Integrated Care · Education & Training
Tuesday, October 27
06:15–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Annual Meeting Fun Run
A short group morning run through Atlanta for meeting attendees.
07:00–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Class: Tuesday AM
A guided meditation class covering focusing techniques, postures, common barriers and building a personal practice, suitable for all levels.
07:00–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Tuesday AM
A morning yoga class with postures, breathing and relaxation, open to all experience levels.
09:00–11:00 · Session · Clinical Perspectives
Music Matters: A Tool for Teaching, Therapy, and Community Engagement
Eve G. Spratt · Steven C. Schlozman · McKay Allred · Matthew W. McMullen · Dhruv Shah · Cynthia C. Swenson · Maggie Connors
Explores the use of music in teaching, therapy and community engagement in child mental health.
09:00–11:00 · Lecture
Violins in the Classroom for All: A Multimethods Pilot Study of Fifth Grade Experiences and Well-Being
Presents a pilot study of a classroom violin program and its effects on fifth graders' experiences and well-being.
09:00–11:00 · Lecture
Hearing the DSM : Teaching Psychopathology and Wellness With Music
Matthew W. McMullen · Dhruv Shah
Explores using music to teach psychopathology and promote wellness.
09:00–11:00 · Lecture
Promotion of Well-Being in At-Risk Children Through West African Dance and Drumming
Cynthia C. Swenson · Eve G. Spratt
Describes a dance and drumming program aimed at promoting well-being in at-risk children.
09:00–11:00 · Lecture
Music Therapy: What Is It, Who Can Benefit, and How Can It Be Accessed?
Introduces music therapy, who may benefit from it, and how families can access it.
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Tuesday PM
A wellness yoga class with postures, breathing and relaxation for all experience levels. Mats are provided and space is first-come, first-served.
17:30–18:30 · Workshop · Wellness Program
Mindfulness, Guided Imagery, and Breath Work for Youth Mental Health: An Experiential Immersion
Experiential session introducing four meditative practices for youth mental health: seated and informal mindfulness, guided imagery, and breath work with heart rate variability biofeedback. Covers how to integrate them into clinical practice with children and adolescents.
Wednesday, October 28
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Class: Wednesday AM
A guided meditation class for attendees of all experience levels, covering focusing techniques, posture, common barriers and building a personal practice.
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Wednesday AM
A morning yoga class with postures, breathing and relaxation for all levels; space is limited and mats are provided.
06:30–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Sunrise Walk to Jackson Street Bridge
A group morning walk through downtown Atlanta to watch the sunrise from the Jackson Street Bridge, offering light exercise and networking.
11:30–13:30 · Lecture · Clinical Perspectives
Creating a Strong Foundation: Behavioral Strategies for Effective Pediatric Obesity Care
Outlines behavioral strategies that underpin effective pediatric obesity care.
13:00–15:00 · Workshop · Wellness Program
The ABCs of Bhangra: Acculturation, Bonding, and Creativity through South Asian Folk Dance with our AACAP Family
Susheel K. Khetarpal · Pallavi Tatapudy · Ravipal Singh Ghatoura · Rohit M. Chandra
A hands-on wellness session where attendees learn the history of bhangra and practice basic steps in a community dance experience. It also invites reflection on cultural identity, acculturation and self-expression.
13:00–15:00 · Workshop · Wellness Program
The Art of Play: Renewing Ourselves Through Story and Puppetry
Christy Ky · George Gianakakos · Bavani Wanar Rajah · John Ernzen · Jonathon W. Wanta
A museum-based wellness outing at the Center for Puppetry Arts exploring how puppetry and play can support therapeutic engagement with children. Includes a guided tour focused on the Jim Henson Exhibition; limited to 20 ticketed participants.
15:30–17:30 · Lecture · Clinical Perspectives
Please Sleep and Exercise: An Organized Approach to Managing Biological Vulnerability With Lifestyle Changes Using DBT’s PLEASE Skills
Covers using DBT PLEASE skills to address biological vulnerability through lifestyle changes in youth with BPD.
15:30–17:00 · Session · Clinical Perspectives
Crossing Disciplines, Healing Bodies: Diverse Approaches to Somatic Distress in Youth
Kristopher Kaliebe · Noshene Ranjbar · Natalia Szejko · Nicole Hellthaler · Josh Spitalnick
Clinical perspectives session exploring multidisciplinary approaches to somatic distress in children and adolescents.
15:30–17:00 · Lecture
Trauma-Informed, Mindfulness-Based Yoga for System-Impacted Youth: Program Implementation and Evidence Base
Reviews implementation and evidence for a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga program for system-impacted youth.
Child & Adolescent · Forensic & Correctional · PTSD & Trauma
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Class: Wednesday PM
Guided meditation class covering focusing techniques, posture, barriers and building a personal practice, for all levels.
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Wednesday PM
A wellness yoga class combining postures, breathing and relaxation, open to all levels with mats provided and limited space.
Posters (2)
- Nature and Mental Health: Neurobiological Mechanisms, Clinical Outcomes, and Practical Applications — David F. Wilton et al.
- Acceptability and Preliminary Effects of a Breathwork and Meditation Program for Youth With Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study — Tanusha S. Tholla et al.
Thursday, October 29
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Class: Thursday AM
A guided meditation class for all experience levels covering focusing techniques, postures, common barriers and building a personal practice.
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Thursday AM
A morning yoga class combining postures, breathing and relaxation for beginners through advanced practitioners, with limited space and mats provided.
06:30–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Annual Meeting Bike Ride
A group morning bike ride led by Andrés Martin, with a limited number of rental bikes and helmets available by sign-up; local attendees may bring their own bikes.
08:00–10:00 · Lecture
Adolescent Depression and Dietary Interventions: Opportunities for Advancing Science and Clinical Care
Explores dietary approaches for adolescent depression and the research and clinical opportunities they present.
09:00–12:00 · Workshop
Practicing What You Preach: Positive Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in and out of the Clinical Encounter
Andrew Rosenfeld · Aaron O. Reliford · Hisla Bates · Alan Schlechter
A hands-on workshop introducing positive child and adolescent psychiatry, with practice in strengths-based evaluation, cultural and identity assessment, character strengths, gratitude and wellness goal-setting. It also addresses how these approaches can support clinician well-being.
Child & Adolescent · Practice, Policy & Workforce · Psychotherapy
09:00–10:30 · Lecture · Clinical Perspectives
Media Effects on Elite Youth Athletes
Talk on how media exposure affects the mental health of elite youth athletes, within a symposium on psychiatric care for this group.
12:00–14:00 · Workshop · Wellness Program
A State of Flow: the Meditative Skills that Turn Fly Fishing into Accessible Wellness
A hands-on wellness workshop where attendees try fly casting, fly tying and water reading as meditative practices that may reduce burnout and distress. Participants also work with local fly fishers to plan continued outdoor activity at home.
12:00–14:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Create or Stagnate: Stress, Burnout, and the Healing Power of Art
Jennifer Yen · Ardis C. Martin · Dale A. Peeples · Kirti Veeramachaneni · Olivia Hindera · Jad Hilal
A wellness program on provider burnout across training stages and how creative arts interventions can reduce stress. Includes a didactic review and hands-on small-group visual, written and performance arts activities.
14:00–17:00 · Oral abstract
App-Based Meditation Holds Promise for Reducing ADHD Symptoms Among Youth on Probation
Elana S. Israel · Oksana Pugach · Emily Pela · Danielle E. Amonica · Ezra Root · Ashley D. Kendall
Evaluates an app-based meditation intervention for reducing ADHD symptoms in youth on probation.
16:00–19:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Atlanta Wellness Walk and Cuisine Cultural Immersion
Sarah Meyers · Jonathan Chevinsky · Brittny Randolph · Monica Feliz R. Castillo
Ticketed guided wellness walk through downtown Atlanta landmarks followed by a southern-cuisine dinner.
17:30–18:30 · Workshop · Wellness Program
Calming the Storm: Integrating Neurobiologically-Informed Mindfulness and Mandala Practices for Pediatric Trauma
Raman Marwaha · Vivian J. Lee · Alejandro Lam Esparza
An experiential wellness session teaching clinicians grounding, mindful breathing and mandala coloring as trauma-informed tools for youth with PTSD. It links these practices to autonomic regulation and covers use in clinical, school and community settings.
Child & Adolescent · Neuroscience & Mechanisms · PTSD & Trauma
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Thursday PM
A yoga class with postures, breathing and relaxation techniques for all experience levels. Mats are provided and space is first-come, first-served.
Posters (3)
- Cultivating an Artist Mindset at an Alternative Learning Center: Preliminary Study on Implementing an Intensive Arts Program for Well-Being — Chidiogo Orakwue et al.
- Behavioral Outcomes and Safety of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine in Children and Adolescents With ASD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Mona Salehi et al.
- Dietary Patterns and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiencies in Children With ASD: A Case-Control Study — Xiaoqian Li et al.
Friday, October 30
06:15–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Annual Meeting Long Run
A group morning run through Atlanta for meeting attendees as part of the wellness program.
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Class: Friday AM
A guided meditation class for all experience levels covering techniques, posture and building a personal practice.
06:30–07:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Friday AM
A yoga class with postures, breathing and relaxation for all levels; mats provided and space limited.
06:30–08:00 · Session · Wellness Program
Morning Walk With Your AACAP Community
A community walk toward the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, with shorter and longer route options, to promote wellness and connection.
12:30–13:30 · Workshop · Wellness Program
دبكة | Dabke: Community, Joy, and Resilience Through Dance
Fadi J. Hamati · Manal Assi · Abrar Ebady · Sarah Al-Shimary
A hands-on wellness session introducing Dabke, a traditional Arabic line dance, covering its cultural background and its use for social connection, behavioral activation and emotional well-being. Participants practice beginner steps in a group.
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Yoga Class: Friday PM
A yoga class combining physical postures, breathing and relaxation for all levels, with mats provided and limited space.
17:30–18:30 · Session · Wellness Program
Meditation Session: Friday PM
A guided meditation session for attendees of all experience levels, covering focusing techniques, posture, common barriers and building a personal practice.
Saturday, October 31
09:30–11:30 · Lecture
Medical Nutrition Therapy for Pediatric Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions: Symptom‑Driven, Individualized Care
Describes individualized, symptom-driven nutrition therapy for children with disorders of gut-brain interaction.
11:30–13:00 · Workshop · Wellness Program
Matcha for Mindfulness: A Wellness Workshop on the History, Health Benefits, and Preparation of Matcha
Jasmine Liu-Zarzuela · Ankur Sharma · Swapna Deshpande · Samantha Hayes · Lalita Thitiseranee
A hands-on wellness workshop where attendees learn the background and potential health benefits of matcha and prepare it mindfully. The emphasis is on sensory focus, relaxation and stress reduction.
13:00–15:00 · Lecture · Clinical Perspectives
Beyond Pharmaceuticals: Emerging Science of Alternative Interventions and Nutritional Supplementation
Reviews emerging evidence on alternative interventions and nutritional supplements for youth with intellectual developmental disorder.
Posters (2)
- Dietary Behaviors and Mental Health Outcomes in Youth Using a National Survey — Seo Yeon Choi et al.
- Remotely Delivered Mind-Body Intervention Alters the Relationship Between Cerebral Blood Flow and Emotional Functioning in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial — David Quezada et al.
Other topics at this meeting
Child & Adolescent 1361Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders 272Diverse & Underserved Populations 231Practice, Policy & Workforce 171Psychotherapy 166Education & Training 156Digital Psychiatry & AI 149Measurement-Based Care & Diagnosis 145ADHD 135Neuroscience & Mechanisms 124PTSD & Trauma 114Suicide & Self-Harm 110