Previous Professional Development Courses

Lithium as a Neuroprotective Agent

This course examined the emerging evidence supporting lithium’s potential neuroprotective effects. Participants reviewed epidemiologic studies demonstrating an association between higher naturally occurring lithium concentrations in groundwater and lower rates of dementia. Evidence from studies of individuals with bipolar disorder was also examined, showing that lithium treatment has been associated with lower rates of dementia and better cognitive performance compared with patients who were not treated with lithium.

The course also explored experimental and animal research identifying multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms through which lithium may preserve brain structure and function. Finally, participants reviewed recent clinical trials evaluating lithium for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Although findings remain mixed, the growing body of research continues to support further investigation into lithium’s role in neuroprotection.

Dr. John Gottlieb’s Bio »

Selected References

  • Aron L, Ngian ZK, Qiu C, et al. Lithium deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature. 2025;645. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09335-x
  • Burdick KE, Millett CE, Russo M, et al. The association between lithium use and neurocognitive performance in patients with bipolar disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(10):1743–1749. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0683-2
  • Forlenza OV, Radanovic M, Talib LL, Gattaz WF. Clinical and biological effects of long-term lithium treatment in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: Randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;215(5):668–674. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.76
  • Kessing LV, Gerds TA, Knudsen NN, et al. Association of lithium in drinking water with the incidence of dementia. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(10):1005–1010. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2362

Thyroid Hormone and Mood Disorders

This course reviewed the structure and function of the thyroid gland and the critical role of thyroid hormone in metabolism, cognition, mood, and normal brain development. Participants examined emerging evidence from animal models demonstrating that thyroid hormone continues to influence neuroplasticity beyond early development.

The course also reviewed the growing literature describing thyroid abnormalities, including autoimmune thyroiditis, among some individuals with bipolar disorder. Finally, participants examined the evidence supporting thyroid hormone augmentation for treatment-resistant mood disorders. Current research suggests a limited but potentially important role for thyroid hormone augmentation in selected patients, while highlighting the need for larger multisite, randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Dr. Susan Stern’s Bio »

Selected References

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

This eight-week course provided advanced training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, developed by Pat Ogden, under the instruction of Faan Yeen Sidor of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. Building on the group’s previous study of the theoretical foundations of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, participants developed practical clinical skills through instructional videos, experiential exercises, and case discussions.

The first half of the course focused on interventions for individuals who have experienced single-incident trauma, while the second half addressed therapeutic approaches for chronic, repetitive relational trauma. Throughout the series, participants integrated Sensorimotor Psychotherapy principles with their existing psychotherapeutic knowledge and clinical practice.

Dr. Indrany Datta-Barua’s Bio »

Selected References

The SEEKING System, Dreams, and Consciousness

This course continued our exploration of the integration of affective neuroscience and psychoanalysis (neuropsychoanalysis), with a particular focus on Jaak Panksepp’s work on the dopaminergic SEEKING system. Participants examined how the SEEKING system interacts with other primary affective systems and how dysfunction within this network may contribute to anhedonia, providing an evolutionary framework for understanding depression. The course also explored the potential role of the SEEKING system in ADHD, mania, compulsive behaviors, and psychosis.

Through discussions with one another and neuropsychologist Mark Solms, participants integrated these concepts with previous topics, including the proposed mechanism of ketamine’s modulation of the lateral habenula, the evidence supporting positive psychotherapy, and ways existing psychotherapeutic techniques may strengthen adaptive affective systems.

Dr. Indrany Datta-Barua’s Bio »

Selected References

  • Montag C, Solms M, Stelzel C, Davis KL. The future of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales: A reflection on seven pressing matters. Personality Neuroscience. 2022;5:e10. https://doi.org/10.1017/pen.2022.2
  • Montag C, Elhai JD, Davis KL. A comprehensive review of studies using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales in the psychological and psychiatric sciences. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2021;125:160–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.019
  • Davis KL, Montag C. Selected principles of Pankseppian affective neuroscience. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019;12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.01025
  • Panksepp J. Affective neuroscience of the emotional BrainMind: Evolutionary perspectives and implications for understanding depression. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2010;12(4):533–545. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2010.12.4/jpanksepp

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

This course reviewed the rapidly evolving literature on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including their effects on metabolism, weight regulation, cognition, and mental health. Participants examined how GLP-1RAs promote weight loss by reducing both homeostatic and hedonic eating drives while improving metabolic efficiency. Preclinical studies demonstrating GLP-1 receptor expression throughout the brain were also reviewed, highlighting evidence that GLP-1 signaling promotes neuronal growth, neuroplasticity, and neuronal survival through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

The course explored clinical studies evaluating whether GLP-1RAs reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly among individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Although many studies have found lower rates of dementia among patients treated with GLP-1RAs compared with other diabetes medications, participants discussed the challenges of distinguishing medication-specific effects from improvements associated with better metabolic control.

The course also reviewed the psychiatric safety profile of GLP-1RAs, including the evolution of concerns regarding suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Participants examined recent large-scale safety data supporting removal of the FDA boxed warning, while also discussing isolated reports of mood changes that have not been confirmed in population-level studies.

Dr. Nita Padavil’s Bio » 

Selected References

  • Moiz A, Filion KB, Tsoukas MA, et al. Mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonist-induced weight loss: A review of central and peripheral pathways in appetite and energy regulation. American Journal of Medicine. 2025;138(6):934–940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.01.021
  • De Giorgi R, Ghenciulescu A, Dziwisz O, et al. An analysis on the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in cognitive and mental health disorders. Nature Mental Health. 2025;3:354–373. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00390-x
  • Psychiatric Times. History, Physiology and Pharmacology of Incretins.
  • Psychiatric Times. GLP-1RAs as Psychiatric Medications.

Ketamine

This course reviewed current evidence regarding ketamine’s mechanism of action and its role in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Participants examined research demonstrating ketamine’s effects on long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic plasticity, including its potential to “re-tune” the relative strength of neuronal connections within brain circuits involved in mood regulation.

The course also explored evidence supporting ketamine’s inhibition of activity within the lateral habenula, a brain region involved in processing negative reward prediction and the “anti-reward” system. This mechanism may help explain ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects.

Participants reviewed comparative studies evaluating intravenous ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treatment-resistant depression, with particular attention to the relative efficacy of these rapidly acting interventions. Finally, the course examined current evidence regarding maintenance treatment, relapse prevention, and the challenges of safely tapering or transitioning patients following an initial therapeutic response.

Dr. Kurt Kastenholz’s Bio »

Selected References

  • Yang Y, Cui Y, Sang K, et al. Ketamine blocks bursting in the lateral habenula to rapidly relieve depression. Nature. 2018;554:317–322. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25509
  • Krystal JH, Kavalali ET, Monteggia LM. Ketamine and rapid antidepressant action: New treatments and novel synaptic signaling mechanisms. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2024;49:41–50. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01629-w
  • Anand A, Mathew SJ, Sanacora G, et al. Ketamine versus ECT for nonpsychotic treatment-resistant major depression. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023;388(25):2315–2325. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2302399
  • Daly EJ, Trivedi MH, Janik A, et al. Efficacy of esketamine nasal spray plus oral antidepressant for relapse prevention in patients with treatment-resistant depression. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019;76(9):893–903. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.1189

Eating Disorders

This course reviewed the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, with particular attention to their relationship with bipolar disorder. Participants began by examining updates to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the epidemiology of co-occurring bipolar disorder and eating disorders. The course explored research describing binge eating and purging behaviors in bipolar disorder, emphasizing the role of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity.

The pharmacologic management of binge eating disorder was reviewed, including emerging evidence regarding the potential role of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Participants also examined evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, with an emphasis on regular eating patterns as a key intervention for reducing binge eating.

The course concluded with a discussion of the principles of an “anti-diet” approach to care, including the limitations of body mass index (BMI) as a measure of health, the importance of alternative outcome measures, and selected psychoanalytic perspectives on the development and treatment of eating disorders.

Dr. Meenakshi Denduluri’s Bio »

Selected References

  • McDonald CE, Rossell SL, Phillipou A. The comorbidity of eating disorders in bipolar disorder and associated clinical correlates characterized by emotion dysregulation and impulsivity: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2019;259:228–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.070
  • McAulay C, Mond J, Outhred T, Malhi GS, Touyz S. Eating disorder features in bipolar disorder: Clinical implications. Journal of Mental Health. 2023;32(1):43–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.1875401
  • Cuellar-Barboza AB, Winham SJ, Biernacka JM, Frye MA, McElroy SL. Clinical phenotype and genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder with binge eating: An update. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 2019;19(9):867–879.
  • Fornaro M, Daray FM, Hunter F, et al. The prevalence, odds and predictors of lifespan comorbid eating disorder among people with a primary diagnosis of bipolar disorders, and vice versa: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;280:409–431.

Technology and Mental Health

This course examined the impact of digital technology, smartphones, and social media on mental health, development, and interpersonal functioning. Participants reviewed Jonathan Haidt’s argument in The Anxious Generation that widespread smartphone and social media use has contributed substantially to increasing rates of adolescent mental health disorders. The supporting evidence was examined across several domains, including sleep disruption, diminished in-person social interaction, attentional fragmentation, and addictive patterns of technology use, with particular emphasis on adolescence as a critical period of brain development and social learning.

The course also considered competing perspectives from researchers who argue that the evidence linking social media to declining adolescent mental health is more nuanced and that an exclusive focus on technology risks overlooking other important contributors to current public health trends.

Finally, participants explored Aaron Balick’s psychoanalytic perspective on digital life, including the effects of online social networks on identity formation, relationships, group processes, social cohesion, and risk-taking behavior.

Dr. Megan Pirigyi’s Bio »

Selected References

  • Balick A. The Psychodynamics of Social Networking: Connected-Up Instantaneous Culture and the Self. Routledge; 2014.
  • Balick A. Social media, identity and careful culture: How online networks limit identity, amplify difference, and diminish social cohesion. Psychoanalytic Inquiry. 2023;43(1):24–25.
  • Haidt J. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press; 2024.
  • Odgers C. The great rewiring: Is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness? Nature. 2024;628:2–30.
  • Sigaud L, Rausch Z, McClean A, Haidt J. Why three studies by Vuorre and Przybylski should not be used to assess the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Clinical Psychological Science. Advance online publication. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026261425910