Austin TAAP Chapter
Texas Association of Addiction Professionals 2026 Symposium!
April 9 & 10, 2026
Austin Marriott South
4415 S IH-35 Service Road, Austin, TX 78744
Join us for the 2026 Austin TAAP Symposium
We’re excited to have you join us for this transformative event that brings together leaders, innovators, and advocates from across the substance use and mental health fields. Whether you're looking to sponsor and elevate your organization’s commitment to change or attend to be inspired and empowered, you’re in the right place!
Let’s work together to reshape the future of mental health and substance use treatment. Register now and help make an impact!
See you in Austin, ready to inspire change!
We have a limited number of discounted hotel rooms for the conference.
Click here to reserve yours now!
Get Your Tickets
Be part of the conversation! Secure your spot today to engage with thought-provoking speakers, connect with passionate professionals, and discover actionable solutions that can drive positive change.
Discounts are available for nonprofits, TAAP Members and students.
Email austintaap@gmail.com for discount code.
Showcase your support for mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and holistic wellness while gaining invaluable visibility in a field that’s making a real difference. There are sponsorship opportunities available from the $800 Coffee Sponsorship to a $5000 Diamond Sponsorship and 10 other options in between. Become an active sponsor of the Austin TAAP Conference!
SPEAKER SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 9
8:00am - 8:30am - Longhorn Ballroom
Welcome! Meredith Meurer, LPC-S, LCDC, PSS, President and Lawrence Spain, Vice President
8:30am - 10am
Current Addiction Research | Dr. Kasey Claborn, Director, Addiction Research Institute, University of Texas Austin
10am - 10:15am
Coffee/Networking
10:15am - 11:45am
Lone Star Ballroom - Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents | Tanya Stuart, LCSW-BACS, LAC
Salon C - Understanding the Overlap: Personality Disorders and Addiction | Jennifer Shotwell, LPC-S, LCDC, EMDR Trainer
Salon D - Patients with PTSD: Understanding and Overcoming Their Barriers to Recovery | Dr. Terry Rustin, MD
11:45am - 12pm
Break/Networking
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lone Star Ballroom - Cannabis Use: Myths, Facts and Harms | Dr. Michael McCormick, D.O.
1:30pm - 1:45pm
Break/Networking
Salon C - Understanding the Overlap: Personality Disorders and Addiction | Jennifer Shotwell, LPC-S, LCDC, EMDR Trainer
Salon D - Patients with PTSD: Understanding and Overcoming Their Barriers to Recovery | Dr. Terry Rustin, MD
11:45am - 12pm
Break/Networking
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lone Star Ballroom - Cannabis Use: Myths, Facts and Harms | Dr. Michael McCormick, D.O.
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Lone Star Ballroom - The Revolving Door: Why Clients Cycle Between Psychiatric Units and Treatment Centers | Alexis Royal, RN and Santi Sustaeta, LCDC-I
Salon C - A Journey Toward a Moral and Committed Life| Paul Jacobs and Dr. Carlos Tirado, MD, MPH
Salon D - Intimacy Disorders in SUD Treatment: Sex Addiction, Love Addiction and Recovery from Betrayal Trauma | Dr. Stevie Sanford, PhD and Gina Kaye, M.Ed., PSAP
245pm - 3:00pm
Break/Networking
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lone Star Ballroom - Now, How, Heal, WOW: A Field Expert and Researchers Guide Out of the Fentanyl Crisis | Deborah Antioch, RSPS, CMA,CFP
Salon C - Perils of AI and Chatbots in Addiction Treatment | Dr. John Talmadge, MD
Salon D - A New Paradigm for Addiction Treatment | Dr. Steven Vazque
Friday, April 10
8:00am - 8:30am - Longhorn Ballroom
Welcome! Meredith Meurer, LPC-S, LCDC, PSS, President and Lawrence Spain, Vice President
8:30am - 9:30am
Lone Star Ballroom - Panel Brought to You by Byron Williams, Austin TAAP Diversity Chair
Salon C - Integrated SUD Treatment for Women and Families Using Gender Specific Approaches | Vaughan Gilmore, LCSW-S,LCDC
Salon D - A New Definition of Recovery: Understanding the Differences Between a Functional vs Behavioral Treatment Model |Melissa Engle, LPC,ATR
9:30am - 9:45am
Break/Networking
9:45am - 10:45am
Lone Star Ballroom - Who Are We Protecting - Clients or Comfort? Leadership in Real Recovery | Justin Sanderson, MS, LPC-S, MBA
Salon C - Cultural Diversity in the Helping Professions | Joe Dias, LPC-S
Salon D - Burnout vs Burnt Ends: Sustainable Practices for Personal Wellbeing | Joseph Gorordo, LCDC, CWC
10:45am - 11:00am
Break/Networking
11:00pm - 12:30pm
Lone Star Ballroom - Attachment-Based Care within a Continuum | Matt Estey, LCSW-S and Christi Goll, LCSW
Salon C - Using Spirituality to Treat Veterans with Co-Occurring Disorders | Chris Bickers, LPC, LCDC and Darius Perkins, M. Div.
Salon D - 12 Steps of AA: Intersection of Beliefs Embedded into Each Step, Neurobiological Underpinnings, and Related
Self Psychology and Clinical Social Work Concepts | Irek Banacyzk, LCSW-S, LCDC; Arlene Montgomery, PhD, LCSW-S
