Virtual Immersive - The New Era of Neuromodulation: Breakthroughs, Best Practices, and What’s Next is a one-day virtual, in-depth learning experience exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of neuromodulation in psychiatry. Designed for psychiatrists, the program will examine established and emerging neuromodulation approaches, with an emphasis on translating advances in neuroscience and technology into safe, effective, and accessible clinical care.
Faculty will review the mechanisms and clinical applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), including accelerated treatment protocols and considerations for treating patients across different life stages and with complex clinical presentations. Sessions will also address the practical aspects of developing and sustaining a TMS practice, including workflow, staffing, and reimbursement.
The program will provide updates on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), including continuation outcomes, regulatory developments, and emerging evidence. Additional sessions will explore vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and at-home neuromodulation, highlighting current evidence, patient selection, long-term outcomes, and emerging technologies that may shape the future of psychiatric treatment.
Format
Live Virtual Event via Zoom on November 17, 2026.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the mechanisms of action, clinical applications, and emerging advances in rTMS, including accelerated treatment protocols and their potential role in psychiatric care.
- Evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical considerations for using neuromodulation therapies across diverse patient populations, including adolescents, pregnant patients, and individuals with complex psychiatric or medical conditions.
- Compare established and emerging neuromodulation approaches—including TMS, ECT, VNS, tDCS, and at-home modalities—to identify appropriate treatment options based on current evidence, patient characteristics, and clinical needs.
- Apply practical considerations for incorporating neuromodulation into clinical practice, including TMS practice workflows, staffing, reimbursement, treatment continuity, and evolving regulatory and technological developments.
References
- Trapp NT, Purgianto A, Taylor JJ, et al. Consensus review and considerations on TMS to treat depression: A comprehensive update endorsed by the National Network of Depression Centers, the Clinical TMS Society, and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Clinical Neurophysiology. 2025;170:206-233. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2024.12.015.
- Conway CR, Aaronson ST, Sackeim HA, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: A one-year, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Brain Stimulation. 2025;18(3):676-689. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2024.12.1191.
- da Silva PHR, Vanderhasselt MA, Pilloni G, et al. Challenges and future directions of transcranial direct current stimulation for depression: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2025;47:e20243989. doi:10.47626/1516-4446-2024-3989.
- Rush AJ, Conway CR, Aaronson ST, et al. Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on daily function and quality of life in markedly treatment-resistant major depression: Findings from a one-year, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Brain Stimulation. 2025;18(3):690-700. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2024.12.1187.
Target Audience
Medical Students, Resident/Fellows, Psychiatrists, Non-psychiatrist Physicians, other mental health professionals.
Instructional Level
Introductory, Intermediate
Estimate Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 8.0 hours (excluding breaks)
Program Start Date: November 17, 2026
Program End Date: November 17, 2026
Credit must be claimed by February 17, 2027.
Schedule:
Detailed schedule coming soon!
Sessions typically run from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM ET.
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or a certificate of participation may do so by viewing the live presentation and completing the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Instructors
Andre Brunoni, MD, PhD.
Planners
Vishal Madaan, MD, APA Deputy Medical Director, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Andre Brunoni, MD, PhD.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. Please contact the American Psychiatric Association at 202-559-3900, if you require assistance seven (7) business days prior to the start of a live webinar.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance