DBSA 2013 Conference Agenda

Download the conference brochure. [PDF]

Over the course of three days in sunny Miami, FL, Stronger Together delivers hope, help, education, and inspiration through moving keynote speeches, skills-based breakout sessions, support groups, and special events. Our immensely popular Stand Up Comedy show Sunday evening and outstanding post-conference institutes may compel you to extend your conference experience to Monday and beyond. 

Friday, June 14: DBSA 2013 Chapter Leadership Forum (CLF)

Stronger Together as a community.

A day for DBSA chapter and support group members to share best practices and knowledge about how to improve levels of support in their groups and their communities. This day is also appropriate for anyone looking for information on how to start or improve peer-led support groups.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Visit the CLF page for a detailed schedule of the day's events.

6:00–7:00 PM

Support Groups

Peers meet to give mutual support.

6:00–7:00 PM

Start a DBSA Support Group

Information session provides materials and tips for people interested in starting a DBSA support group in their own communities.

6:30–7 PM

Attendee Orientation

For first-time attendees or anyone seeking tips on how to make the most of their conference experience.

7:00–8:00 PM

Meet and Greet: Meet Miami

An opportunity to connect with other conference attendees, presenters, and DBSA staff. The event is free with registration and includes beverages.

Saturday, June 15: DBSA and ISBD Partnering for Success Joint Day

Stronger Together as partners in wellness.

A day for individuals living with a mood disorder to brainstorm with some of the world’s leading clinicians and researchers on strategies for improving collaboration to enhance effective outcomes. 

7:45 AM Departure

Shuttle Bus (Please be at the shuttle pick-up location by 7:30 AM.)

Complimentary shuttle bus service transportation from Hilton Miami Downtown to Loews Miami Beach for Saturday's joint day programming at the International Bipolar Foundation Conference site.

8:30–9:00 AM 

Joint Day Welcome

Stronger Together: Partnering for Success presented by Allen Doederlein & Willem Nolen

9:00–10:30 AM

Parallel Sessions: Partnership Alliance (Part I)

Choose one of two tracks:

• Consumer/Clinician Partnership Track: Answering the Tough Questions Together Part I
  An opportunity for mental health consumers and clinicians to navigate their priorities and goals in collaborating for effective treatment plans.
  Moderated by Allen Doederlein & Joseph Calabrese, M.D. 
  Panelists: Marylou Selo, Lucinda Jewell, David Miklowitz, Ph.D., & Mark Frye, M.D.

• Research Participant/Researcher Partnership Track: Opening Doors to New Research Part I
  An opportunity for potential research participants and researchers to navigate their priorities and goals in collaborating for mutual benefit.
  Moderated by Ingrid Deetz & Ellen Frank, Ph.D.
  Panelists: Carolyn Kristof, Dana Parker-Mathis, Dr. Mauricio Tohen, & Dr. Janet Wozniak

10:45–12:15 PM

That's Just Crazy Talk Anti-Stigma Performance & Research Presentation

Renowned mental health expert Victoria Maxwell performs her one woman show about the lived experience of a mood disorder. Following the performance, Dr. Sagar Parikh will present research findings on the effects of Maxwell’s show on stigma.

12:30–2:00 PM 

Lunch & Fostering the Therapeutic Alliance Brainstorm Session

During lunch, DBSA & ISBD will facilitate a brainstorm session among clinicians, researchers, and consumers on ways to collaborate for effective treatment and research discoveries. Lunch is included with registration on Saturday. 

2:15–3:45 PM 

Parallel Sessions: Partnership Alliance (Part II)

Choose one of two tracks:

• Consumer/Clinician Partnership Track: Answering the Tough Questions Together Part II
  An opportunity for mental health consumers and clinicians to navigate their priorities and goals in collaborating for effective treatment plans.
  Moderated by Allen Doederlein & Joseph Calabrese, M.D. 
  Panelists: Victoria Maxwell, Mike Kuhl, David Miklowitz, Ph.D., & Mark Frye, M.D.

• Research Participant/Researcher Partnership Track: Opening Doors to New Research Part II
  An opportunity for potential research participants and researchers to navigate their priorities and goals in collaborating for mutual benefit.
  Moderated by Ingrid Deetz & Ellen Frank, Ph.D.
  Panelists: Carolyn Kristof, Dana Parker-Mathis, Dr. Mauricio Tohen, & Dr. Janet Wozniak

4:00–5:00 PM 

Keynote Lecture by Congressman Patrick Kennedy

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5:30 PM Departure

Shuttle Bus (Please be at the shuttle pick-up location by 5:15 PM.)

Complimentary shuttle bus service transportation from Loews Miami Beach back to the DBSA conference hotel, The Hilton Miami Downtown.

6:00–7:00 PM

Support Groups

Peers meet to give mutual support.

7:00–9:00 PM

DBSA Fundraiser: Biscayne Bay Boat Tour 

Enjoy an evening boat tour of Miami's beautiful Biscayne Bay and nosh on appetizers as you mingle with DBSA keynote presenters, staff, Board, and your peers. A portion of your ticket price is a donation supporting DBSA educational programming.

Sunday, June 16: DBSA Embracing Wellness

Stronger Together as peers embracing our inner strength.

A day for peers to learn from each other and leading experts in the field of mental health about strength-based wellness strategies.

TIP: Sunday has a full day & night of programming; be sure to make your travels plans accordingly. I.E. To make the most of your conference experience, you'll want to book your return travel for Monday or later if you are attending any post-conference instittutes.

7:30–8:00 AM

Morning Exercise

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8:30–9:30 AM

DBSA Welcome & Keynote Presentation by Priscilla Ridgway

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9:45–10:45 AM

Breakout Groups*

Choose one of three educational sessions or a peer roundtable discussion available at this time.

• Better at Work presented by Victoria Maxwell
• Concordance: When RX becomes Collaboration presented by Gary Sachs, M.D.
• Practicing Mindfulness presented by Carl Fulwiler, M.D., Ph.D.
• Peer Roundtable

11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Breakout Groups*

Choose one of three educational sessions or a peer roundtable discussion available at this time.

• Getting in the Rhythm presented by  Ellen Frank, Ph.D.
• Procovery: Looking Forward Not Back presented by Nancy Bollinger
• Love vs. Mania presented by Dr. Beth Haase
• Peer Roundtable

12:15–1:30 PM

Lunch & DBSA Life Unlimited Award Presentation

Lunch is included with registration on Sunday.

1:30–2:30 PM

Breakout Groups*

Choose one of three educational sessions or a peer roundtable discussion available at this time.

• Your Guide to Health Reform presented by Rebecca Farley
• Learned Resilience: Overcoming Setbacks and Negative Self-talk presented by Melody Moezzi
• Recovery to Practice presented by Rita Cronise, M.S. and Lisa Goodale, M.S.W. 
• Peer Roundtable
  

2:45–3:45 PM

Breakout Groups*

Choose one of three educational sessions or a peer roundtable discussion available at this time.

• Leveraging Your Strengths presented by Priscilla Ridgway, Ph.D.
• Research for a Better Future presented by John Greden, M.D.
• Channeling Creativity presented by Barry Shainbaum
• Peer Roundtable

4:15–4:30 PM

Building a Brighter Future

DBSA President Allen Doederlein outlines DBSA's strategic plans and recognizes individuals and partners integral to our success.

4:30–5:30 PM

Keynote Presentation by Melody Moezzi

From Restraints to Recognition: One Writer’s Road to Success and Recovery 

6:30–7:30 PM

Support Groups

Peers meet to give mutual support.

8:00–10:00 PM

Stand Up for Mental Health Comedy Show

A hilarious night of laughter and fun as 10 conference attendees, newly trained as comics, make their stand-up debut. Together with several returning alumni comics and the evening's MC, David Granirer, the comics will share the ups and downs of life with a mood disorder through the lens of acceptance and humor. A conference staple that you REALLY won't want to miss!

Monday, June 17

Post Conference Institutes

Extended length workshops for individuals to dive into topics at greater depths.

9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Beyond Impulse with Steve Propst

Impulsive acts can lead to life-altering changes and wreak havoc on your personal and professional life. During this workshop, presenter Steve Propst will focus on ways to become aware of, prepare for, and recover from the fall-out of impulsive actions made during mania or during acutely symptomatic times. Areas to be addressed include but are not limited to hypersexuality, excessive spending, damage to relationships, and abrupt changes affecting your personal or professional life. Note: Deals with sensitive, adult topics.

9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Exploring Entrepreneurship with Corinna West

Could self-employment be your path to professional success, personal fulfillment, and wellness? Join poet, Olympian, and social entrepreneur Corinna West in this day-long workshop that will help you to identify if entrepreneurship is right for you. You'll explore avenues of self-employment, consulting, or business ownership, then start to narrow down the right focus for you and discover strategies to improve your chance for success! Note: Lunch is on your own.

*Note DBSA reserves the right to change the above schedule to accommodate changes in speaker requests or unforeseen circumstances.