PN Update

April 15, 2026

News, Information, and Educational Offerings From APA

Join APA’s advocacy team tonight at 7 p.m. ET to learn the current mental health policy landscape in Congress, the Trump administration, and state legislatures. This webinar will help you stay informed about developments affecting your practice and patients while also providing resources to support your advocacy.

CLINICAL CORNER

Conversational AI May Help Reduce Anxiety in Young Adults

Benzodiazepines May Cut Risk of Recurrent Catatonia in Half

ANNUAL MEETING

Dr. Mansoor Malik to Deliver Pierce Lecture

The Johns Hopkins psychiatrist—whose work touches on physician well-being, minority health, and moral injury—will discuss how Dr. Pierce’s vision provides a template for understanding contemporary attacks on human rights.

The Humanities Come to APA

What do Shakespeare, tattoos, and photography have in common? They’ll all be topics in the Humanities track at the Annual Meeting. If you like drama, suspense, and learning that doesn’t feel like learning, these sessions could be perfect for you!

LEARN MORE →

GENERAL NEWS

How Are Members Using AI?

According to a new member survey, a majority of psychiatrists don’t use AI in their practice, though more than 80% consider themselves somewhat or very informed about this technology. Among members who are embracing AI, clinical notetaking and administrative tasks are the most common uses.

PMHNPs Granted TMS Authority

Optum/United Healthcare/United Behavioral Health has updated its clinical policy for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) who have full practice authority to order, supervise, and administer TMS therapy. Previously, this authority was limited to psychiatrists. The updated policy would affect TMS services in 26 states plus D.C.

Proposed Edits to ASD Specifiers

The DSM Steering Committee is recommending that the Criterion A (social communication and social interaction) and B (restricted and repetitive behaviors) severity specifiers for autism spectrum disorder be coded separately. Public comments on this proposed modification are open until April 30.

LEARN MORE AND COMMENT →

Future DSM Biomarkers Survey

The Future DSM Candidate Biomarkers and Biological Factors Subcommittee is surveying the field to learn about potential candidate biomarkers and other biological factors involved in psychiatric disorders. We value your expertise in this area and welcome your input and suggestions.

TAKE THE SURVEY →

Become an APA Micro-Volunteer

Looking for a way to get involved in APA without a long-term commitment? The new micro-volunteer program offers flexible, short-term opportunities for members to contribute their expertise and support their priority initiatives. This program is part of a broader effort to create more accessible and inclusive pathways for engagement across APA.

JOBCENTRAL

Find Your Next Role

Considering a career change? APA JobCentral is the place to be! Post a resume, set up email job alerts, and view open positions across the country and around the world.

VISIT JOBCENTRAL →

NOW IN PSYCHIATRIC NEWS

Point/Counterpoint: Should Psychiatrists Practice Psychotherapy?

APA Offers Clinician Support With Justice Psychiatry Caucus

What Can General Psychiatry Learn From Integrated Care?

NOW IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY

Smoking Cessation Treatment: Still Seeking a New Approach?

A Number Is Not Enough: Interpreting Mobile Breathalyzer Feedback in Real-World Contexts

Recontextualizing Cannabis, Stimulant, and Opioid Exposure Across an Extended Neurodevelopmental Window

Treating Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders: New Findings and Unmet Needs

April Editor Spotlight

Deputy Editor Danny Pine highlights one study discussing why adding approach bias modification to smoking-cessation treatment didn’t enhance long-term abstinence and another exploring the longitudinal effects of blood alcohol assessment via a mobile breathalyzer on the accuracy of intoxication self-estimates.

WATCH NOW →

NOW IN PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES

‘From Pages to Practice’ Podcast: Street Psychiatry: A Clinical Approach

LISTEN NOW →

Quality of Lethal Means Counseling Documentation in the VHA

Pilot of a Digital Smoking Cessation Program for Psychiatric Inpatients

Rethinking Indicators of Mental Health Inpatient Care in General Hospitals

National Implementation of Suicide Safety Planning in the VHA

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