ArPA Lunch and Learn Series
The Arkansas Psychological Association (ArPA) is excited to introduce its Monthly Lunch and Learn Series—an exclusive benefit designed to bring value to our members and foster a thriving psychological community across Arkansas. ArPA’s Lunch & Learn Series, designed to create connection among members, foster professional growth, and provide real-world strategies for today’s most pressing challenges in mental health practice.
Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Why It’s Important and How We Can Help
Learning objectives:
- Recognize symptoms of clinical concern versus normative post-partum reactions.
- Identify 3 ways maternal depression might negatively impact a child’s development.
- List 2 ways that psychologists and mental health professionals can helpfully intervene through prevention and treatment.
Even Months: Professional Development
Why Gender Affirming Care Matters
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
Join us for an introductory continuing education program on gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals.
This one-hour training explores the foundations of gender affirming care and its critical role in the psychological well-being of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. Drawing on current peer-reviewed literature, participants will examine the systemic, interpersonal, and institutional barriers TGD clients face when accessing care, including discrimination, gatekeeping, and provider knowledge gaps. The session presents the evidence base demonstrating the mental health benefits of affirming practice and concludes with practical, clinically applicable strategies for integrating gender affirming care into everyday psychological practice.
This training is designed to support psychologists at all levels of familiarity with this population in building competence, confidence, and a more inclusive practice.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Define gender affirming care
- Identify barriers that transgender and gender diverse individuals commonly encounter when accessing psychological and healthcare services
- Describe the psychological benefits of gender affirming care, as supported by current research
- Apply at least two strategies for integrating gender affirming practices into daily psychological work
Presenters:
Arielle Marston, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist with clinical experience spanning private practice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and academic settings. She has been providing affirming care to transgender and gender diverse individuals since 2016, and specializes in body shame and acceptance, religious trauma, and late-diagnosed neurodivergence. Dr. Marston draws primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Self-Compassion Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She earned her Doctor of Psychology from George Fox University and holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Oklahoma, which informs her passion for training and education.
Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Why It’s Important and How We Can Help
What to Expect:
Join us for a timely and informative session exploring the impact of the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session on the field of psychology. Led by Dr. Tisha Deen, a respected psychologist and seasoned policy advocate, this session will unpack critical legislative changes and their implications for psychological practice, ethics, and advocacy in Arkansas.
Even Months: Professional Development CEs
Reserve Your Spot!
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to empower psychologists across Arkansas. Together, let’s build connections, share knowledge, and advance the field of psychology.
Why Attend?
- Engage: Connect with peers in a meaningful and interactive format.
- Grow: Gain professional insights and enhance your skills.
- Belong: Strengthen your ties to the vibrant ArPA community.
Event Details:
- Time: 12:00 PM CST
- Platform: Zoom
- Registration: Advance registration is required. Upon registration, you’ll receive a calendar invite and secure access to the session.
*Mark your calendars for the third Wednesday of each month and experience the benefits of belonging to a connected and dynamic professional community.