Faculty: Jason Washburn Ph.D

Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

As demand for behavioral health services continues to rise, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance access, improve clinical decision-making, and streamline care delivery. This presentation explores the current impact of AI on the practice of behavioral health and the potential in the near future. Participants will gain insight into practical use cases, ethical considerations, and strategies for integrating AI into clinical and operational workflows while preserving the human-centered nature of care.

Faculty:

Caitlin Lischka, LCPC, CATP (pictured left)

Inez Martinez-Sierra, LPC (pictured right)

This presentation will explore the critical connection between social media and body image, focusing on eating disorders. We will examine how platform algorithms create echo chambers that reinforce exposure to harmful beauty standards and unrealistic body ideals, which can fuel unhealthy fixations, comparison, and ultimately negatively shape self-worth. The presentation dives into the social causes of these issues, including sex and gender norms, the thin ideal, and pervasive diet culture. One can expect to also learn early intervention strategies, such as fostering media literacy and setting healthy boundaries, as well as parent hacks for effective role modeling.