The Psych Congress PA Institute was created to give physician associates a long-overdue professional home in mental health care, no matter their specialty or title.

Psychiatric PAs are one of the fastest-growing segments of our profession, and yet too many of us are still navigating fragmented training, inconsistent supervision models, and job listings that do not even recognize us. We have built thriving practices despite these barriers, but the truth is, we should not have to do it alone.

That is why I am honored to serve as co-chair of the inaugural Psych Congress PA Institute, taking place December 11-13, 2025, in Orlando. This meeting is a long-overdue home for PAs navigating the mental health landscape.

Whether you work in full-time psychiatry, primary care, emergency medicine, or another specialty where mental health shows up every day, you deserve evidence-based tools, practical training, and a community that sees and supports the work you are already doing.

You Do Not Need to Be a Psychiatric PA to Benefit

Mental health care does not stay in one lane. It crosses every specialty and shows up in every exam room. NCCPA data confirms that 33.4% of PAs report encountering patients daily who need treatment for mental disorders—often without formal mental health training or structured support. This event was created for all of us, whether you are early in your behavioral health journey or have years of experience.

You will gain practical skills for clinical decision-making, updates in psychopharmacology, guidance on complex presentations, and strategies you can apply right away. Most importantly, you will be surrounded by people who understand your scope, your challenges, and your goals. Come for the education, stay for the connection. The PA Institute is building the community we have been missing.

What to Expect from My Sessions

I am excited to be part of two sessions designed to support both clinical excellence and professional growth:

Welcome Session: Bridging Neuroscience and Clinical Practice
Thursday, December 11 | 9:20 AM to 10:20 AM
We will explore the neurochemical basis of psychiatric conditions, including dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA. This session bridges theory and clinical application and highlights the role of emerging research on neural circuits and receptor dynamics.

Ask the Experts: PA Career Growth and Leadership in Psychiatry
Saturday, December 13| 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
We will discuss transitioning into psychiatry, negotiating contracts, advancing into leadership roles, and increasing PA representation in behavioral health policy and research.

Why This Meeting Matters

This meeting is about creating a professional space for PAs to lead in mental health care and contribute meaningfully to the broader conversation. Join the movement to elevate, empower, and support every PA managing mental health, because you are not alone.

I have been fortunate to connect with so many talented PAs in behavioral health over the years, and I know how much we need a shared space to learn, to lead, and to belong. That is what we are building together in Orlando.

I hope you will be there with us.

Event Details

Psych Congress PA Institute

• December 11-13, 2025
• Orlando, Florida (in person and virtual options available)
• Event Website
• Registration (early bird rates end October 17)
   

Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C, is the Associate Director of Interventional Psychiatry at DENT Neurologic Institute in Buffalo, New York.