(CANCELED) 2026 Annual Psych Retreat
Due to the winter weather forecasts, the 2026 Psych Retreat has been canceled.
Attendees, please check your emails for further information.
Presented by NCNA’s Council of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurses
The purpose of the 2026 Psych Retreat is for nurses to gain knowledge of current and future trends in psychiatric and mental health nursing practice and policy. The retreat is open to all nurses interested in psychiatric-mental health service delivery, including RNs, APRNs, point-of-care nurses, students, and others.
Thank you to our retreat sponsors!
Date & Time
January 30 – 31, 2026
Location
Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle
201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard
Cary, NC 27513
Registration Information
Online registration for the retreat is now closed.
Onsite registration will be available at the registration desk during the retreat. Please print and complete the onsite registration form below and bring it with you to the event.
Registration Pricing
| Preconference | Retreat | Both | |
| Early Bird Rates | |||
| NCNA Member | $72 | $268 | $340 |
| Guest | $108 | $401 | $509 |
| Regular Rates | |||
| NCNA Member | $93 | $332 | $425 |
| Guest | $139 | $499 | $638 |
Registration Deadlines
December 19, 2025: EARLY BIRD RATES END — register by 12/19 to take advantage of discounted pricing!
January 23, 2026: PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS — ensure your spot by registering no later than 1/23!
Psych Retreat Justification Toolkit
We understand that securing approval from your supervisor to attend a multi-day conference like the Psych Retreat can feel overwhelming. That's why we're here to equip you with the essential tools to initiate that conversation (and proactively address any questions they may have!)
Download the Justification Toolkit › and take the first step toward securing your spot.
Full Agenda
CONTACT HOURS — Earn up to 12.0 CH
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC HOURS — Earn up to 2.25 CH
| Preconference | |
| Friday, January 30 | |
| 12:00pm | Preconference Registration Opens |
| 1:00pm | The Benzodiazepine Conundrum Charlotte H. Stephens, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC |
| 2:00pm | The In's and Out's of Treatment Including Medication for Perinatal Mood Disorders Christena Raines, MSN, RN, WHCNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C |
| Annual Psych Retreat | |
| Friday, January 30 | |
| 3:00pm | Psych Retreat Friday Registration Opens |
| 3:00pm | Networking & Exhibitor Showcase |
| 4:00pm | Poster Presentations |
| 5:00pm | Welcome & Dinner | Product Theater: What's Next When an Antidepressant isn't Enough? Desiree Matthews, PMHNP-BC |
| 6:00pm | Networking & Exhibitor Showcase |
| 6:30pm | A Conversation: Familial Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders: Hope, Healing, and Helping Others Brandy Mechling, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNAP |
| 7:30pm | Harm Reduction and Recovery Dr. Ruthanne Palumbo, DNP, RN, CNE, CARN; Dr. Diane Parker, DNP, MSN, FNP-C |
| Saturday, January 31 | |
| 7:30am | Psych Retreat Saturday Registration Opens |
| 8:00am | Storytelling for Social Justice: Exploring Disability Activism Through the Lens of Narrative Medicine Diane Caruso, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC |
| 9:00am | Break |
| 9:15am | GLPs/Weight Loss Drugs and Mental Health Dr. Krystal Pendergraft-Horne, DNP, RN, FNP-C |
| 10:15am | Leadership Through Recovery, Service, and Trust Freeman Moore, CPS |
| 11:15am | Networking & Exhibitor Showcase |
| 12:15pm | Lunch | Product Theater: One Patient's Journey with Auvelity: A Rapid-Acting Antidepressant that Modulates Both Glutamatergic and Monoaminergic Pathways C. David Runnels III, MSN, PMHNP-BC |
| 12:45pm | Council of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurses Business Meeting |
| 1:15pm | Networking & Exhibitor Showcase |
| 1:45pm | Discoveries of Psychotherapeutic Modalities: A Peer-to-Peer Experience
Emmeline Bone, DNP, PMHNP-BC; LaTonia Clark Chalmers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC, HWNC-BC; Anka Roberto, DNP, MPH, PMHNP-BC, APRN, FNAP; Alhagie Sam, MSN, RN, NPD-BC |
| 2:45pm | Break |
| 3:00pm | ADHD in Girls and Young Adults: The Diagnosis We Often Miss Ivy Bagley, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, IBCLC, CDP, NHDP-BC, PMH-BC |
| 4:00pm | Patients and Families Positive Experience with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Grace Gunderson-Falcone, RN, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP, A/GNP-BC; Elizabeth Gunter; Evan Friday; Robert Generelli |
| 5:00pm | Closing Remarks & Evaluations |
The 2026 Annual Psych Retreat schedule is subject to change. Last revised 1/27/2026.
Hotel Information
Hotel Address
Embassy Suites Raleigh–Durham/Research Triangle
201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard
Cary, NC 27513
Phone
919.677.1840 (Reference Code: NCNA Psych Nurses Retreat)
Room Block Discount ends 12/31/25 or when block is full.
Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities
For exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities at the 2026 Psych Retreat, view the 2025–26 NCNA Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus › for all available options.
Questions? Contact Logan Barber ›, NCNA Manager of Events.
