International Motion Impacts Emotion Conference
About this Event
Join us for a groundbreaking two-day international conference exploring the powerful connection between movement and mental wellness.
Discover how physical activity can transform the future of mental health care through evidence-based research, innovative therapies, and practical real-world applications. This dynamic event will bring together leading clinicians, researchers, educators, advocates, and wellness professionals from around the globe to examine how exercise, sports, and movement-based interventions can support mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Conference highlights include:
- Cutting-edge research on the impact of physical activity on mental health
- Practical strategies and tools for clinicians, therapists, educators, and policymakers
- Innovative approaches that integrate mind and body wellness
- Opportunities to connect and collaborate with an international network of professionals
- Inspiring discussions focused on advancing mental health through movement
Whether you are a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, nurse, educator, student, researcher, or wellness advocate, this conference offers a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, gain practical insights, and be part of a growing global movement dedicated to improving mental health through physical activity.
Student discount available! Students can register for just $125 by sending a photo of their valid student ID to [email protected].
Agenda
*AGENDA MAY CHANGE*
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
Friday - Registration and Continental Breakfast
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:45 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Host: Adel Korkor
🕑: 08:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Plenary I - Foundations
Info: Plenary I - Foundations: How Movement Changes the Brain Moderator:
Simon Goldberg
Presentation Time: 20 minutes each
Followed by: 60-minute Panel Discussion, Audience Questions, and Interactive Discussion
Topics: Neuroplasticity, Stress resilience, Brain function, Exercise neuroscience, Biological mechanisms linking movement and mental health
Exercise, Brain Function, and Mental Health...
Host: Dane Cook
Info: Exercise, Brain Function, and Mental Health: Complexities and Mechanisms Across Health and Disease
Neurocognitive Adaptations to Physical Activity...
Host: Brandon Alderman
Info: Neurocognitive Adaptations to Physical Activity: Implications for Mental Health and Resilience
Exercise, Stress Resilience, and Brain Health
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Movement Break
Host: Amy Bantham
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
State-of-the-Art Lecture
Host: Simon Rosenbaum
Info: Movement as Medicine:
The Emerging Integration of Physical and Mental Health
45-minute Lecture
15-minute Audience Q&A
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Plenary II: Clinical Translation
Info: Plenary II - Clinical Translation: Integrating Physical Activity into Mental Health Care Lead Moderator: Jacob Meyer
Presentation Time: 15 minutes each
Followed by: 60-minute Panel Discussion, Audience Questions, and Interactive Discussion
Topics: Exercise as treatment, Physical activity and psychotherapy, PTSD, Behavioral activation, Nature prescriptions, Real-world implementation
Integrating Exercise Into Mental Health Treatment...
Host: Jacob Meyer
Info: Integrating Exercise Into Mental Health Treatment: Opportunities and Challenges
Effect of Exercise on Fear Extinction Learning and Decision Making in PTSD...
Host: Kevin Crombie
Info: The Effect of Exercise on Fear Extinction Learning and Decision Making in PTSD: Potential Implications for Enhancing Psychotherapy
Leveraging Exercise to Improve Mental Health Outcomes...
Host: Kristin Szuhany
Info: Leveraging Exercise to Improve Mental Health Outcomes: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
Helping People Move...
Host: Emily Mailey
Info: Helping People Move: Behavior Change Strategies, Nature Prescriptions, and Sustainable Physical Activity
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Movement Break
Host: Amy Bantham
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:45 PM
Abstract Session: Emerging Research in Movement and Mental Health
Info: Six Selected Oral Abstract Presentations
Presentation Format: 5-minute presentation and 5-minute discussion
🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:15 PM
Abstract Synthesis Panel: What is New in Movement and Mental Health?
Info: Participants: Selected Abstract Presenters, Dane Cook, Brandon Alderman, Jacob Meyer, Kevin Crombie, Kristin Szuhany, Emily Mailey
Discussion Topics: Major findings emerging from oral presentations, Highlights from accepted poster abstracts, Future research opportunities, Collaboration opportunities, Key messages for clinicians and researchers
🕑: 05:15 PM - 06:00 PM
Poster Reception and Networking
Info: Poster Viewing, Networking, Speaker-Trainee Interactions
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Power Walk (Optional)
Info: Guided Walk Along the Shores of Lake Mendota.
Open to all attendees and speakers.
An opportunity for informal conversation, networking, and movement before the evening social event.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM
Dinner, Music and Dancing
Info: Conference Social Event: Dinner, Music, Dancing and Informal Networking
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Saturday - Continental Breakfast
🕑: 08:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Plenary III: Movement, Community and Global Mental Health
Info: Plenary III: Movement, Community and Global Mental Health Lead Moderator: Simon Rosenbaum
Presentation Time: 15 minutes each
Followed by: 60-minute Panel Discussion and Audience Engagement
Topics: Community mental health, School-based movement programs, Women's empowerment through sport, Global mental health, Lifestyle psychiatry implementation, Community resilience
From Evidence to Implementation...
Host: Simon Rosenbaum
Info: From Evidence to Implementation: Physical Activity and Mental Health Across Communities
Community-Activated Mental Health...
Host: Lea Denny
Info: Community-Activated Mental Health: Movement, Connection, and Healing
Running Toward Hope...
Host: Sana Mahmud
Info: Running Toward Hope: Physical Activity, Resilience, and Women's Empowerment in Conflict-Affected Communities
Moving Beyond the Clinic...
Info: Moving Beyond the Clinic: Implementing Physical Activity in Community Mental Health Settings
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Movement Break
Host: Amy Bantham
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Plenary IV: Future Directions
Info: Plenary IV: Future Directions - Where Do We Go From Here? Moderator:
Adel B. Korkor
30-minute Presentation
Followed by: 90-minute Future Directions Panel and Audience Forum
Topics: Lifestyle Psychiatry, Social Prescribing, School-Based Movement Programs, Community Implementation, Global Mental Health, Technology and Innovation, Future Research Priorities, Building Partnerships Across Healthcare, Academia and Communities, Future Directions for Motion Impacts Emotion
From Evidence to Action...
Host: Amy Bantham
Info: From Evidence to Action: Building a More Active and Mentally Healthy Future
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Closing Session - Conference Summary and Key Takeaways
Info: Moderator: Adel B. Korkor
Highlights from: Foundations, Clinical Translation, Emerging Research, Community Implementation, Future Directions
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 225.00 to USD 250.00
