ArPA Fall 2025 Conference – Day 2 Happening Now!
ArPA Fall 2025 Conference
Turning the Tide: Strengthening Hope, Connection, and Community
CE Credits Available
Professional development credits for licensed attendees
Secure Your Spot Today
Join Arkansas’s premier mental health conference during World Mental Health Week
Early Bird rates available • Limited spots
Questions? Contact us at office@arpapsych.org
Arkansas Psychological Association Announces Fall 2025 Conference on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Proudly Featured in:
Arkansas Psychological Association Announces Fall 2025 Conference on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Proudly Featured in:
Join Arkansas’s Premier Mental Health Conference
This Fall, unite with mental health professionals, students, and the public for two days of impactful conversations, expert insights, and healing community engagement. Hosted by the Arkansas Psychological Association, the ArPA Fall Conference offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow during World Mental Health Week.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Clinicians seeking CE credits and advanced techniques
Psychology Students &
Researchers
Academic community and emerging professionals
Community Stakeholders & Advocates
Leaders working to strengthen mental health support
General Public
Anyone interested in mental wellness and community healing
Call for Student Research
An Invitation to Present Your Research
Join us for an exciting opportunity to showcase your research at the Arkansas Psychological Association Fall Conference
Featured Keynote & Speakers
John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D.
Professor of Counseling, Author, Psychologist
Strengths-Based Suicide Assessment: A Modern Approach to Depression & Suicide Risk
Austin Porter III, DrPH, MPH
Deputy State Epidemiologist, Associate Professor, UAMS
Dr. Aresh Assadi
Board member of the Arkansas Chapter of the AFSP and UALR faculty
Kionti Traylor
AFSP Program Manager, 10+ years in prevention
Dr. Margaret Rutherford
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Host
Dr. Leigh Anne Bennett
Psychiatrist, Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic
Martha Thomas
Co-Founder & Chief Educ. Officer The Defensive Line
Chris Thomas
Co-Founder & CEO
The Defensive Line
Conference at a Glance
Day 1
Public & Community Engagement
Open to the public, this day centers on awareness, inclusion, and healing. Join us for meaningful conversations that build stronger communities.
- Culturally responsive conversations
- Community resilience-building
- Student research poster presentations
Day 2
Professional Development & CE Credits
Designed for clinicians and professionals, featuring advanced techniques and evidence-based approaches to enhance your practice.
- Strengths-based tools for suicide prevention
- Culturally inclusive therapeutic techniques
- Fulfillment of CE credit requirements
Program
Thursday, October 9th: (4 CEs)
08:30am
Registration and Light Breakfast
08:50am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
09:00am
Mental Health in Arkansas: A Focus on Suicide – 1 CE
- Speaker: Austin Porter, Dr.P.H.
10:00am
Coffee & Student Poster Presentations
11:00am
L.E.T.S. Save Lives – 1 CE
- Moderator: Aresh Assadi, Ed.D., LPC; Board member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and UALR faculty
- Speaker: Kionti Traylor, Program Manager, Arkansas Chapter, AFSP
12:00pm
ArPA Luncheon & Student Presentations
1:30pm – 3:30pm
From Tragedy to Advocacy: Stories of Suicide Loss and Healing – 2 CEs
- Moderator: Dr. Margaret Rutherford, Clinical Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Host
- Panelist: Dr. Leigh Anne Bennett, Psychiatrist, Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic
- Panelist: Chris Thomas, Co-Founder & CEO of The Defensive Line
- Panelist: Martha Thomas, Co-Founder & Chief Education Officer of The Defensive Line
4:00pm
ArPA Business Meeting (ArPA Members only)
5:00pm
ArPA Networking Social (Mental Health Professional Participants only)
Friday, October 10th: [6 CEs]
08:30am
Registration
08:45am
Reflections and Key Takeaways from Day 1
09:00am
Integrating Strengths-Based and Traditional (Medical Model) Approaches to Suicide Assessment and Treatment (Part 1 of 2)
- Speaker: Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan
12:00pm
ArPA Awards & Appreciation Lunch
1:30pm
Integrating Strengths-Based and Traditional (Medical Model) Approaches to Suicide Assessment and Treatment (Part 2 of 2)
- Speaker: Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan
4:30pm
ArPA Announcements
5:00pm
Adjourn
Registration Options & Access Details
We’re offering an All-Inclusive Access Pass for simplicity and value. You can choose to attend either Day 1 or Day 2, or both days.
Category | One-Day Only | Both Days | Access Includes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ArPA Professional Member You will be redirected to log in to Membership Portal before accessing the member registration page. | $175 | $225 | In-person + Virtual | |
Non-Member Professional | $200 | $275 | In-person + Virtual + CEU + Replay | |
Student Student Membership is Free! Join ArPA at no cost. Conference registration fees still apply, same for all students. | $10 | $15 | In-person + Virtual + Replay (No CEUs) | |
General Public (Day 1 only) Includes select community sessions. Upgrade to a professional registration to attend Day 2 | $50 | Not Available | In-person (Day 1) + Replay + CEU is optional | |
Other Membership Affiliation For those who are members of other state psychological or mental health professional associations you are eligible to register at the ArPA Professional Member rate. | $175 | $225 | In-person + Virtual |
Registration Options & Access Details
We’re offering an All-Inclusive Access Pass for simplicity and value. You can choose to attend either Day 1 or Day 2, or both days. Early Bird rates available!
Early Bird Special: Save up to $50 when you register before September 15, 2025
Category | Day 1 Only (Thursday) | Both Days (Thurs + Fri) | Access Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
ArPA Professional Member | $150 / $175 (Early Bird/Regular) | $195 / $225 (Early Bird/Regular) | In-person + Virtual + CEU + Replay |
ArPA Student Member | Free | Free | In-person + Virtual + Replay |
Non-Member Professional | $175 / $200 (Early Bird/Regular) | $225 / $275 (Early Bird/Regular) | In-person + Virtual + CEU + Replay |
Non-Member Student | $5 / $10 (Early Bird/Regular) | $10 / $15 (Early Bird/Regular) | In-person + Virtual + Replay |
General Public (Day 1 only) | $40 / $50 (Early Bird/Regular) | Not Available | In-person (Day 1) + Replay (No CEUs) |
* General Public: Includes select community sessions. CEUs not included. Upgrade to a professional registration to attend Day 2 or earn CEUs.
* For those who are members of other state psychological or mental health professional associations: If you are a current member of another state mental health related association, you are eligible to register at the ArPA Professional Member rate.
* ArPA Members: You will be redirected to log in to Membership Portal before accessing the member registration page. This ensures your member status is validated and you receive the correct member rates.
Category | Day 1 Only (Thursday) | Both Days (Thurs + Fri) | Access Includes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ArPA Professional Member You will be redirected to log in to Membership Portal before accessing the member registration page. | $150 / $175 | $195 / $225 | In-person + Virtual | |
ArPA Student Member You will be redirected to log in to Membership Portal before accessing the member registration page. | Free | Free | In-person + Virtual + Replay (No CEUs) | |
Non-Member Professional Take advantage of our special Join + Register Bundle, which includes full conference access and a one-year ArPA membership. | $175 / $200 | $225 / $275 | In-person + Virtual + CEU + Replay | |
Non-Member Student ArPA Student Members attend for FREE. Sign up for a student membership with and register for the Fall Conference at no cost. | $5 / $10 | $10 / $15 | In-person + Virtual + Replay (No CEUs) | |
General Public (Day 1 only) Includes select community sessions. Upgrade to a professional registration to attend Day 2 or earn CEUs. | $40 / $50 | Not Available | In-person (Day 1) + Replay (No CEUs) | |
Other Membership Affiliation For those who are members of other state psychological or mental health professional associations you are eligible to register at the ArPA Professional Member rate. | $150 / $175 | $195 / $225 | In-person + Virtual |
Category | One-Day Only | Both Days | Access Includes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ArPA Professional Member You will be redirected to log in to Membership Portal before accessing the member registration page. | $150 / $175 | $195 / $225 | In-person + Virtual | |
Non-Member Professional | $175 / $200 | $225 / $275 | In-person + Virtual + CEU + Replay | |
Student Student Membership is Free! Join ArPA at no cost. Conference registration fees still apply, same for all students. | $5 / $10 | $10 / $15 | In-person + Virtual + Replay (No CEUs) | |
General Public (Day 1 only) Includes select community sessions. Upgrade to a professional registration to attend Day 2 | $40 / $50 | Not Available | In-person (Day 1) + Replay + CEU is optional | |
Other Membership Affiliation For those who are members of other state psychological or mental health professional associations you are eligible to register at the ArPA Professional Member rate. | $150 / $175 | $195 / $225 | In-person + Virtual |
Special Limited-Time Offer
Not a member yet? Get everything you need in one bundle.
Only available to non-members during registration
$295
One-time bundle price
You save $55+ plus gain year-round benefits!
Exclusive offer for first-time members only
Outcomes & Impact
Join a transformative experience that advances your career while making a meaningful impact on mental health in Arkansas and beyond.
CE Credit & Replay Access
- CE certificates provided for licensed attendees
- Access session replays at your convenience
- Streamlined delivery for both in-person and virtual formats
Enhance Your Clinical Toolkit
- Latest evidence-based therapeutic techniques
- Strengths-based suicide prevention tools
- Culturally responsive treatment approaches
Connect with Leaders
- Network with state and national experts
- Build professional relationships
- Access to exclusive member communities
Support Mental Health Equity
- Advance suicide prevention initiatives
- Promote culturally inclusive practices
- Be part of powerful community transformation
Secure Your Spot Today
Spots are limited. Register early to lock in the best rates and ensure your place at Arkansas’s premier mental health conference.