2024 PPDA Conference

Boulder, CO | September 26- 28

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY

Join the transformative experience this September in Boulder, CO. This year’s PPDA Annual Conference is set to be a hub of innovation, learning, and connection, featuring over 20 esteemed experts in Psychophysiologic Disorders with engaging and dynamic sessions to deepen your understanding and expand your professional toolkit.

REGISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Access to All Sessions: Immerse yourself in three days of comprehensive sessions, panels, and discussions.

  • Networking Events: Build lasting connections with fellow professionals and thought leaders.

  • On-Site Meals: Enjoy included meals catering to various dietary preferences.

  • CE/CME Credits: Enhance your credentials with 13 CE/CME credit hours available for an additional fee. Click here for the CE Language. 

  • Bonus highlight: Boulder, CO is stunning in the fall.

WHY ATTEND:

  • Cutting-Edge Knowledge: Stay ahead with the latest research and innovative treatment methods.

  • Professional Growth: Gain insights to elevate your practice and improve patient outcomes.

  • Community Building: Be part of a movement shaping the future of PPD treatment.

SPECIAL MEMBER PRICING

Log in to your PPD Alliance account to instantly apply your Membership discount!

Please reach out to info@ppdassociation.org for group signups or if you have difficulty registering. We are here to help.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS


We are thrilled to feature an outstanding lineup of speakers at the forefront of PPD research and treatment. Each expert brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, allowing you to learn from the best in the field.

  • Yoni Ashar, PhD.

    Assistant Professor

  • Justin Barker, Psy.D.

    Clinical Psychologist

  • Timothy T. Brown, PhD, MA

    Associate Research Professor of Health Economics, Associate Director for Research at the Berkeley Center for Health Technology

  • David D. Clarke, MD

    PPDA President, Gastroenterologist

  • Brad Fanestil, MD

    Board Certified, Internal Medicine

  • Brian S. Foley, MD, MBA Physician

    Community Spine Center

  • Nathaniel Frank, PhD

    Author, Researcher & Speaker

  • Pavel Goldstein, PhD

    Associate Professor, Director of Integrative Pain Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Haifa

  • Rebecca Kennedy, MD

    Family Medicine Physician

  • Andrea Leonard-Segal, MD, FACR

    Clinical Associate Professor GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences

  • Charlie Merrill, MSPT

    Owner of Merrill Performance

  • Georgie Oldfield MCSP (Mrs)

    Physiotherapist & Founder of SIRPA

  • Dan Ratner, PsyD

    Psychologist

  • Nicole Sachs, LCSW

    Psychotherapist

  • Christina Sarno-Horner, LMHC

    Suite 14 Psychotherapy

  • David Schechter, MD

    Sports & Family Medicine

  • Howard Schubiner, MD

    Clinical Professor, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Cormendihealth

  • Jamie Shafir, MSW

    Psychotherapist, Health Coach, & Adolescent Specialist

  • John Stracks, MD

    Co-Founder and Medical Director of Cormendi Health

  • Rebecca Tolin, BA

    Mind-Body Practitioner

  • Christie Uipi, LCSW

    Psychotherapist & Health Coach

  • Brandon Yarns, MD, MS

    Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences

  • Dario Zagar, MD

    Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology
    Yale School of Medicine

Lunch Table Discussants

Several lunch tables will feature unique topics for discussion, hosted by one or two of our special guests listed below. We encourage attendees to join these tables for engaging conversations.

  • Lee Canter, MSW

    Patient Advocate, PPDA Board

  • David D. Clarke, MD

    PPDA President, Gastroenterologist

  • Alan Gordon, LCSW

    Founder, Pain Psychology Center

  • Rebecca Kennedy, MD

    Family Medicine Physician

  • Callie Klebanoff, LCSW

    Psychotherapist

  • Daniel Lyman, LCSW, MPA

    Psychotherapist

  • Rob Munger, MA, MS

    Patient Advocate, PPDA Vice President & Co-Founder

  • Dan Ratner, PsyD

    Psychologist

  • Nicole Sachs, LCSW

    Psychotherapist

  • Christina Sarno-Horner, LMHC

    Suite 14 Psychotherapy

  • David Schechter, MD

    Sports & Family Medicine

  • Howard Schubiner, MD

    Clinical Professor, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Cormendihealth

  • John Stracks, MD

    Co-Founder and Medical Director of Cormendi Health

  • Christie Uipi, LCSW

    Psychotherapist & Health Coach

Virtual Speakers

Speaker Joining Virtually Only

Arlene Feinblatt, PhD

New York State Psychologist

Schedule

  • Day 1 Thursday Sept 26

    12:30 PM - 1:50 PM: Check In

    1:50 PM – 2:00 PM: Welcome Announcement

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM: The Legacy and Impact of Dr. John Sarno by David Schechter, MD with Andrea Leonard-Segal, MD, FACR, Arlene Feinblatt, PhD and a special guest Christina Sarno-Horner, LMHC

    2:50 PM - 3:50 PM: Current PPD Research by Timothy T. Brown, PhD, MA, Yoni Ashar, PhD, Brandon Yarns,MD,MS, Howard Schubiner, MD, and Pavel Goldstein, PhD

    3:50 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing Remarks

    4:00 PM- 5:30 PM: Welcome Reception

  • Day 2 Friday Sept 27

    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast and Interest Group Session

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM:Interface Between Rheumatology and Psychophysiologic Disorders (PPD) by Andrea Leonard-Segal, MD, FACR

    9:50 AM - 10:35 AM:Treating Low Back Pain; Evolution of a Spine Specialist by Brian S. Foley, MD, MBA, presented by Howard Schubiner, MD

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM:Supporting Athletes In Unlearning Pain by Charlie Merrill, MSPT

    11:35 AM - 12:20 PM:Working with Adolescents by Jamie Shafir, MSW

    12:20 PM – 1:35 PM: Lunch Break

    1:35 PM - 2:20 PM:Women's Health - How Does PPD Fit in? by Rebecca Kennedy, MD, and Christie Uipi, LCSW

    2:25 PM - 3:10 PM:Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy by Brandon Yarns, MD, MS and Howard Schubiner, MD

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM:Full of Doubt: Understanding the Intersection of the Obsessive Compulsive Personality Style and Psychophysiologic Disorders by Justin Barker, PsyD

    4:05 PM - 4:55 PM: How to Create an Individualized Treatment Program by David Schechter, MD

    5:00 PM: Closing Remarks

    5:15 PM : Optional after-hours event. Details to follow

  • Day 3 Saturday Sept 28

    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast and Interest Group Session

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM:The Past, Present, and Future of the PPD Association by David D. Clarke, MD

    9:50 AM - 10:35 AM:Communicating Mind-Body Pain to the World: Lessons on Shifting the Paradigm from the LGBTQ Equality Movement by Nathaniel Frank, PhD

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM:You know Mind Body tools work, now spread the word: How clinicians can help their colleagues understand, and how patients can get their doctors on board with the new neuroscience by Brad Fanestil, MD

    11:35 AM - 12:20 PM:Perspectives on Mind Body Groups with Dan Ratner, PsyD, Rebecca Tolin,BA, and John Stracks, MD

    12:20 PM - 1:35 PM: Lunch Break

    1:35 PM - 2:20 PM:Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Stretching our Understanding by Georgie Oldfield, MCSP (Mrs)

    2:25 PM - 3:10 PM:Long COVID - The Embodiment of PPD by Rebecca Kennedy, MD and Nicole Sachs, LCSW

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM:Functional Neurological Disorder: the “OG PPD” by Dario Zagar, MD

    4:00 PM - 4:15: Conference Closing

    4:15 PM: Conference Concludes

    4:30 PM—TBD: Optional after-hours event. Details to follow

Click to Access Presentation Details

Filming Crew

  • Director

    Camille Thoman

  • Producer

    Julian Cautherley

  • Cinematographer

    Tyler Grain

Learn More About the team

Venue+ Travel

Special Boulder Note:
The 2024 Boulderthon Run occurs on Sunday, September 29, with roughly 20,000 people attending. We encourage you to secure your hotel accommodations and ground transport as soon as possible. 

Conference Location:
Boulder Jewish Community Center
6007 Oreg Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303

Conference Parking:
Free parking on-site at the Boulder Jewish Community Center

Recommended Airport:
Denver International Airport
Special note: The drive from Denver International Airport to Boulder is approx. 45 minutes.

Nearby Hotels:
Special note: There is no designated conference hotel or hotel block discount. 

Courtyard by Marriott Boulder
4710 Pearl E Circle
Boulder, CO 80301
303-440-4700 

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
5397 S Boulder Rd
Boulder, CO  80303
720-673-8900

Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl Street
2280 Junction Place
Boulder, CO  80301
303-442-0160

Hilton Garden Boulder
2701 Canyon Blvd.
Boulder, CO  80302
303-443-2200

Boulder Marriott 
2660 Canyon Blvd
Boulder, CO 80302
303-440-3377 – 888-238-2178 

 

 FAQs

  • September 26-28, 2024 at the Boulder Jewish Community Center in Boulder, CO. 

  • The conference is open to the general public, all health practitioners, physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, and students with an interest in chronic pain, chronic functional syndromes, or medically unexplained symptoms. It will benefit all. 

  • Scroll to the Registration portion of this page to select your ticket option. Members of the PPD Alliance are eligible for a discounted ticket. Please log in to your account to view the discounted pricing. 

  • Registration will remain open until September 13, or until capacity is reached. Space is limited and we urge you to secure your spot as soon as possible. 

  • Please refer to the list of nearby hotels above. There is no designated conference hotel or hotel block discount. We advise you to book as soon as possible due to the busy season.

  • Attendees are encouraged to rent a car from the airport. The drive from Denver International Airport to Boulder is approx. 45 minutes. Uber, Lyft, and taxi options are also available from the airport. 

  • Free parking on-site at the Boulder Jewish Community Center.

  • Meals and refreshments will be provided during designated breaks. Please review the schedule for full details. A cash bar will be available at the Welcome and Closing Reception. Please indicate any dietary restrictions or preferences during the registration process.

  • Business casual attire is recommended for conference sessions and networking events. However, you can comfortably dress according to your preferences.

  • Check-in will begin promptly at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 26, at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. Upon arrival, follow the signage. 

  • For any additional questions or assistance, please contact us at info@ppdassociation.org. We're here to help