2-Day Childhood Bipolar Disorder Conference

Childhood Bipolar Disorder Identification, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Thursday May 14th & Friday May 15th, 2026 8:45am-3:45pm Pacific Time

Virtual conference via Zoom

Registration Options

Register for a free account to access CMHRC continuing education content.

After registering for your free account you will be able to complete your registration for this 2-Day conference.

Please note that your registration is not confirmed until you have made payment.

NBCC Credits: Children’s Mental Health Resource Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7986. programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Children’s Mental Health Resource Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Register Here for 7.0 credits from NBCC for $279

ASWB ACE Credits: Children’s Mental Health Resource Center, provider #2471, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Associate of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period 9/11/2025-9/11-2026. Social workers completing this course receive 8.75 Interactive via Zoom Synchronous Distance Learning continuing education credits.

 
AANP Credits: This activity is approved for 8.75 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 26037694. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies
Register Here for 8.75 Credits from ASWB or AANP for $295

Agenda

*Pacific Daylight Time, please check your local time zone for start and end times.

Day 1 8:45am-3:45pm*
  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • Introduction to CMHRC
  • 9:00AM – 10:45AM
  • 1.75 CE Credits
Understanding Misdiagnosis and Childhood Bipolar
  • Look at why practitioners often miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children, how to distinguish bipolar from other diagnoses, and best practices for treating bipolar in childhood.
  • 10:45AM – 11:00AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 11:00AM – 12:45PM
  • 1.75 CE Credits
Can Kids Have Bipolar? How to Recognize and Diagnose Bipolar in Kids Ages 5-15
  • Discover the unique challenges to diagnosing pediatric onset bipolar disorder, how the symptoms differ from late adolescent or adult onset bipolar disorder, and what assessments and treatment modalities are most effective.
  • 12:45PM – 1:45PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:45PM – 3:30PM
  • 1.75 CME Credits through ASWB and AANP only

What is FOH or TSDD, the newly recognized phenotype of bipolar disorder?

  • Understand the biological and physiological symptoms associated with the new phenotype of bipolar, Fear of Harm, and compare these symptoms to other diagnoses in order to determine an effective treatment plan.
  • 3:30PM – 3:45PM
Closing (Not Included in CE Credits)
Day 1 Total: 3.5 CE Credits or 5.25 CME Credits
  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 9:00AM – 10:45AM
  • 1.75 CE Credits
Differentiating Bipolar & ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder, and how medication and culture impact diagnosis.
  • 10:45AM – 11:00AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 11:00AM – 12:45PM
  • 1.75 CE Credits
Differentiating Bipolar Disorder (BD) & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Teens
  • Discuss similarities in symptom presentation between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, how trauma impacts both diagnoses, and effective paths to treatment.
  • 12:45PM – 1:45PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:45PM – 3:30PM
Q & A (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • Open question and answer forum with the presenters.
  • 3:30PM – 3:45PM
Closing (Not Included in CE Credits)
Day 2 Total: 3.5 CE/CME Credits

Agenda

Day 1

8:45am-3:45pm*
  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • Introduction to CMHRC
  • 9:00AM – 10:45AM
  • (1.75 CE Credits)
Understanding Misdiagnosis and Childhood Bipolar
  • Look at why practitioners often miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children, how to distinguish bipolar from other diagnoses, and best practices for treating bipolar in childhood.
  • 10:45AM – 11:00AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 11:00AM – 12:45PM
  • (1.75 CE Credits)
Can Kids Have Bipolar? How to Recognize and Diagnose Bipolar in Kids Ages 5-15
  • Discover the unique challenges to diagnosing pediatric onset bipolar disorder, how the symptoms differ from late adolescent or adult onset presentation bipolar disorder, and what assessments and treatment modalities are most effective.
  • 12:45PM – 1:45PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:45PM – 3:30PM
  • 1.75 CME Credits through AAFP only
What is “Fear of Harm?” or TSDD the newly recognized phenotype of bipolar disorder
  • Understand the biological and physiological symptoms associated with the new phenotype of bipolar, Fear of Harm, and compare these symptoms to other diagnoses in order to determine an effective treatment plan.
  • 3:30PM – 3:45PM
Closing (Not Included in CE Credits)
Day 1 Total:
3.5 CE Credits or 5.25 CME Credits

Day 2

8:45am-3:45pm*
  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 9:00AM – 10:45AM
  • (1.75 CE Credits)
Differentiating Bipolar & ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder, and how medication and culture impact diagnosis.
  • 10:45AM – 11:00AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 11:00AM – 12:45PM
  • (1.75 CE Credits)
Differentiating Bipolar Disorder (BD) & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Teens
  • Discuss similarities in symptom presentation between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, how trauma impacts both diagnoses, and effective paths to treatment.
  • 12:45PM – 1:45PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:45PM – 3:30PM
Q & A (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • Open question and answer forum with the presenters.
  • 3:30PM – 3:45PM
Closing (Not Included in CE Credits)
Day 2 Total:
3.5 CE/CME Credits

Session Descriptions

Understanding Misdiagnosis and Childhood Bipolar

  • 1.75 CE/CME Credits
Practitioners often feel stuck within a system that disempowers them to meet their patients where they are. Hedged in by insurance requirements and formulaic diagnostic codes, providers are thwarted even when they feel criteria is met for certain diagnoses like bipolar. Many disorders share commonalities which can cause confusion. Yet, an accurate diagnosis is imperative for effective treatment. Neuroprotection, social and emotional development, and healthy relationships are dependent upon more accurate, and effective treatment for everyone, especially children.
In this session, you will:
  • Describe why skilled practitioners can still miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children
  • Identify areas of symptom overlap between bipolar and other diagnoses such as DMDD and ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of bipolar in children and how they differ from symptoms of bipolar in adults

Can Kids Have Bipolar? How to Recognize and Diagnose Bipolar in Kids Ages 5-15

  • 1.75 CE/CME Credits
Research shows that 50% of mental illness begins before age fourteen, and there is an average10-year treatment onset delay. Research also shows that bipolar disorder affects about 1-5% of the total population; when one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is l5% – 30%; when both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50% – 75%; 1/3 of all children and teens diagnosed with depression are misdiagnosed and actually live with bipolar disorder; and those diagnosed with bipolar have a rate of suicide ten to thirty times higher than the general population. Given the vulnerability of children and adolescents, it is crucial to recognize common symptoms of bipolar and how to complete a full differential diagnosis.
In this session, you will:
  • Describe why skilled practitioners can still miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children
  • Identify areas of symptom overlap between bipolar and other diagnoses such as DMDD and ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of bipolar in children and how they differ from symptoms of bipolar in adults
  • Define effective treatment interventions

What is Fear of Harm (FOH)?

  • 1.75 CME Credits through ASWB and AANP only
Thermoregulatory Sleep Dysregulation Disorder, more commonly known as “Fear of Harm”, or FOH, is a newly identified phenotype of bipolar disorder impacting approximately 1/3 of all individuals who live with bipolar. Since it is a normal human experience to have fear of being harmed, the name of this disorder can be misleading. However, exaggerated fears along with temperature and sleep disruptions are the hallmarks of this illness. The combination of biological and physiological symptoms make FOH unique in psychiatry. Participants will learn about this newly identified disorder directly from an expert involved in its research.
In this session, you will:
  • Explain how the FOH phenotype was identified
  • Identify the symptoms of FOH and how they present
  • Compare FOH to other diagnosis
  • Determine appropriate treatments for FOH

Differentiating Bipolar & ADHD

  • 1.75 CE/CME Credits
The DSM was designed to classify observable symptoms into a diagnosis, but this becomes difficult when those same symptoms reappear multiple times in different diagnoses. This variability requires a closer look at not just the symptom description, but the how and why the symptoms are manifesting. Dr. Charles Popper insists that all of the features of ADHD can be seen in mood disorders at a given time, so it is necessary to rule out a mood disorder prior to diagnosing ADHD. This session provides an in-depth inspection of symptoms to ensure an accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment path.
In this session, you will:
  • Analyze the findings differentiating neuropsychological factors of treated children with pediatric bipolar from those with attention deficit disorder
  • Compare the symptom similarities between ADHD and bipolar disorder
  • Describe the effect of lithium on bipolar disorder versus ADHD
  • Consider cross-cultural implications to misdiagnosis

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder (BD) & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Teens

  • 1.75 CE/CME Credits
In the throes of adolescence, change is happening rapidly in not only the body, but the brain as well. These changes can prompt big behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and relationship instability that is confusing, difficult to manage, and often misunderstood. The DSM can be used to classify these symptoms into a diagnosis, but as we have learned, this becomes difficult when they reappear multiple times in different diagnoses. Determining a relational trigger versus a mood disturbance, and not just looking at symptom descriptions can ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
In this session, you will:
  • Compare the symptom similarities between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder
  • Determine the role of trauma in both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder
  • Identify effective treatments for bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder

Meet Your Presenters

Angela Jamison

CMHRC Deputy Director, Training and Outreach Director, Foster Care and Adoption Specialist

  • Differentiating Bipolar & ADHD
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Borderline Personality Disorder in Teens
  • Q & A
More about Angela

Elizabeth Errico

CMHRC Executive Director

  • Understanding Misdiagnosis and Childhood Bipolar
  • What is “Fear of Harm?”
  • Q & A
More about Elizabeth

Jennifer Sevick

CMHRC Clinical Director

  • Can Kids Have Bipolar? How to Recognize and Diagnose Bipolar in Kids
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Borderline Personality Disorder in Teens
  • Q & A
More about Jennifer

Continuing Education Approval Statements

ACE Provider Approval Statement​

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center, provider # 2471, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/11/2025-9/11/2026.

 

NBCC Provider Approval Statement​

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7986. programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Children’s Mental Health Resource Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

 

AANP Provider Approval Statement

This activity is approved for 8.75 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 26037694. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies

If you have questions, concerns, or grievances about this course, or require ADA accommodation, please contact us via email at learning@cmhrc.org or by phone at 773-231-0751 (9am-5pm Eastern time). Written communication can also be sent to:

111 Hekili St. Suite A-600, Kailua, HI 96734.

Angela Jamison

Deputy Director

Angela is an adoptive mother of five with a passion for supporting and educating children and families. After earning her BA in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University, she spent many years at home as a foster mother, healing trauma and building relationships with the many children that entered her home, with their birth families, friends, and community partners.
After fifteen years witnessing the trifecta of trauma, overworked caseworkers and ineffective legislation within the child welfare system, Angela received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Kentucky with a Trauma Responsive Practice Certificate. She continued on to become a Certified Social Worker in the state of Kentucky and a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio.
Angela spent eleven years in education prior to staying home with her children and offers training and support to foster and adoptive families as CMHRC’s Adoption and Foster Care Specialist. She strives to make families feel heard, welcome, and understood on their journey whether that be foster, adoptive, mental health or a combination of these.
Having children with diagnosis from bipolar to autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD, anxiety and more, Angela understands the isolation that comes with standing out in society, but also the peace and power that comes with embracing our children and family’s beautiful differences. She hopes to empower families with the strength and confidence to parent their children for their children, not society or others’ expectations.

Elizabeth Errico

Founder & Executive Director

Read Elizabeth’s Welcome Message here.
Elizabeth founded CMHRC after years as a mental health professional with a varied, decades long, career in the fields of counseling psychology, education, and psychiatry. Throughout those years she saw the desperate need of children and families who struggle to find answers and support from a complex mental healthcare system that often ignores or minimizes their concerns. CMHRC grew out of the awareness that these families and their providers deserve better access to information, resources, and expert guidance as they seek accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Prior to founding CMHRC Elizabeth spent more than 3 years as the Executive Director of the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation (JBRF) where she designed, implemented, and ran outreach, education, and advocacy programs for families and practitioners. She is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist with extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families. In addition to the years she spent in private practice, Elizabeth was also a provider in the partial hospitalization program (PHP) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and worked as an intensive out-patient (IOP) provider at Somerset Treatment Services substance abuse treatment center. She taught undergraduate psychology at Kean University for nearly a decade, and has worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations advising on positive team-building and productive internal communication processes.
Elizabeth is a member of the Coalition for Metabolic Health, and a member of its Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth earned a BA in psychology from Georgetown University. She attended Columbia University, Teachers College for graduate school where she earned Master’s Degrees in both psychological counseling (MA) and in counseling and education (Ed.M.). In graduate school she studied under Dr. Robert T. Carter, author of The Influence of Race and Racial Identity Theory in Psychotherapy and Measuring the Effects of Racism. Elizabeth did her graduate internship at The Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center in New York City in their HIV/AIDS bereavement program counseling those who’d recently recently lost a loved one as well as those recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Jennifer Sevick

Clinical Director

Jennifer, is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Jennifer has worked in a variety of settings which include community mental health centers, medical practices, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, private practice, and end of life care with older adults. Building on the varied skills she learned while working in hospice settings, Jennifer continues to embrace a palliative approach to her work with individuals and families who are impacted by mental illness.
In 2012, her child was diagnosed with early onset pediatric bipolar disorder at the age of six. Since then, Jennifer has immersed herself in studying how to identify and effectively treat bipolar disorder throughout the lifespan. She brings her personal and professional expertise to CMHRC after volunteering with the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation (JBRF). She hosts discussions related to mood disorders in children and provides support to parents and caregivers of people living with bipolar disorder.
In addition to her work with CMHRC she is building a private practice centered on persons living with mood disorders, chronic life threatening illness, grief, and caregiver support.
Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In 2023 Jenn received the ‘Mental Health Advocate of the Year’ Award from Mental Health America’s South Carolina chapter.