5 Minutes With... Psychopharmacology Update Chair Dr. Danielle Johnson

Welcome back to Innovations in Psychiatry! This month, we look forward to attending the Psychopharmacology Update 2026. This year’s milestone 25^th Annual’s theme is “Problem-Solving Psychopharmacology for Treatment-Resistant Psychiatric Spectra.” October 23 and 24 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Hyatt Regency—Use code LASTCHANCE to receive 25% off. Register here!

In this issue, we speak with Meeting Chair Dr. Danielle Johnson. Dr. Johnson is the Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chief Medical Officer, Director, and Chief of Adult Psychiatry at the Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, Ohio. The various hats Dr. Johnson wears provide her with a sweeping comprehensive perspective and make her an ideal interview.

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Keep up to date as well on current research with this month’s Psych Resource section, featuring articles from MDEdge Psychiatry, New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA Psychiatry—check them out below!

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Thank you to Dr. Johnson for her time and expertise! Please contact me at colleen@cmhadvisors.com with any comments. –Colleen Hutchinson

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What breakthroughs in new therapeutics do you foresee practicing clinicians leaving with practical, actionable guidance on?

Dr. Johnson: This year’s Psychopharmacology Update is focused on the management of difficult-to-treat disorders. Attendees will understand when patients are considered “difficult-to-treat” and when to recommend other treatment options. Clinicians will also gain an understanding of using evidence-based off-label treatment options, combining existing treatments, and medications that are recent to market or in the pipeline. They should leave with practical treatment options for difficult-to-treat symptoms.

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What do you anticipate attendees coming away with from these presentations for which you will moderate the audience Q&A:

An Update on Managing Eating Disorders: A 2020 study showed that only about one third of residents and fellows in various specialties at an academic medical center received four or more hours of eating disorder-specific CME in the last 5 years, and only 11% felt comfortable managing patients with eating disorders. Many attendees have minimal or no exposure to the treatment of those with eating disorders, so they will come away with new information and increased comfort managing eating disorders.

An Update on the Pharmacology of Difficult-to-Treat Personality Disorders: A 2022 systematic review showed negative attitudes among various mental health disciplines toward those with borderline personality disorder. Greater exposure to borderline personality disorder and participation in training programs was associated with improved attitudes. Learning evidence-based treatment options will improve attitudes about personality disorders and empower more attendees to work with this population.

Update on Managing Difficult-to-Treat Anxiety Disorders Across the Life Cycle: About half of people with generalized anxiety disorder do not respond to first-line treatment. Attendees will learn about prescribing adjunctive medications such as gabapentinoids and atypical antipsychotics and appropriate use of benzodiazepines.

Update on Managing Difficult-to-Treat ADHD: ADHD can be difficult to treat when there are comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, or adverse effects of medications are intolerable. Attendees will learn to assess for comorbid conditions, indications for stimulants versus non-stimulants, and appropriate medication timing and dosing.

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What is it like co-chairing with Dr. Nasrallah?

Dr. Johnson: I have known Dr. Nasrallah since I was a resident physician. He has always been available for consultation on my difficult-to-treat cases. Through our ongoing collaboration through the years, he invited me to co-chair this year’s conference with him. I am excited about the topics and look forward to continuing to work with him on this meeting.

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It’s the 25th Annual Psychopharmacology Update. How would you characterize this meeting’s role in helping clinicians help their patients?

Dr. Johnson: I have attended this meeting intermittently since I was a resident. It is invaluable for those who cannot travel far for CME while providing high-quality, high-yield information in a weekend. This is a conference that many clinicians attend every year and it is a way to reconnect with colleagues and make new connections.

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Need CME before year’s end?

Psychopharmacology Update 2026—The 25^th Annual!

October 23-24, 2026; Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Full 2-day meeting with interactive presentations, discussion and networking opps in addition to scientific sessions.
Stellar agenda! Learn about the latest advances in: judicious psychopharmacology, evidence-based combinations and management of treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, addiction, psychedelics, and more.
Hear from internationally renowned faculty on the most up-to-date information and research.
Take home breakthroughs that can make a difference in your practice!
Register by clicking here! Use code LASTCHANCE to receive 25% off!

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Psychiatry Resource Section

JAMA Psychiatry Original Investigation— Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists, Mortality, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Serious Mental Illness

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Medscape Medical News Commentary: Lithium: 7 Myths That May Be Keeping It Underused

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JAMA Psychiatry Viewpoint— Adapting Family-Based Psychosis Care to the Digital Home

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Medscape Medical News MedBrief: Surprising Signal for Semaglutide in Bipolar Disorder

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New England Journal of Medicine Perspective: Doctor’s Dirty Little Secret — The Cost of Silence

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