2026 UTHealth Houston Update Conference: Behavioral Health in the Age of AI
Behavioral Health in the Age of AI
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: TMC Collaborative Building
Address:7255 Helix Park Ave, Houston, TX 77030
Register Here
*Both in-person and virtual attendance are available*
Course Description
The Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, along with our chair, Jair Soares, MD, PhD, and co-course directors, Vineeth John, MD, MBA and Michelle Patriquin, PhD, ABPP, invite you to join us for the 2026 UTHealth Houston Psychiatry Update Conference: Behavioral Health in the Age of AI.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health tools is changing the field of behavioral health. From diagnosis to treatment, mobile apps to digital therapies, these technologies are reshaping how we deliver mental health. This one-day conference will explore how AI and digital tools are improving behavioral health care. We’ll also look at the challenges they bring – especially around ethics, privacy, and clinical use.
Join us to explore this new technology and the effect on behavioral health sciences. Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and opportunities to network and meet new colleagues will be provided at the conference. For any questions, please contact Senior Marketing Coordinator, Aaron Zapata.
Speakers and Topics
Join us to hear keynote speakers, Justin Baker, MD, PhD, and Gillian Strudwick, PhD, RN, lead the discussion for the conference. Find a full list of speakers here.
Pricing
Physician: $225
UTHealth Houston Physicians: $175
Social Workers, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Counselors, Allied Health Professionals: $200
UTHealth Houston Social Workers, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Counselors, Allied Health Professionals: $100
Residents/Fellows: $100
UTHealth Houston Residents/Fellows: $50
Post-Doctoral Fellows: $75
UTHealth Houston Post-Doctoral Fellows: $50
Research Assistants, Interns, Students: $75
UTHealth Houston Research Assistants, Interns, Students: $50
Professionals (Other): $125
UTHealth Houston Professionals (Other): $100
Exhibitors/Sponsorships
Opportunities to be an exhibitor or sponsor the conference are available. Please contact Senior Marketing Coordinator Aaron Zapata for more information.
Rice University ENRICH Poster Competition for Advancing Behavioral Health Through AI
The 2026 UTHealth Houston Psychiatry Update Conference will feature a Poster Session Competition sponsored by the Rice University ENRICH (Educational and Research Initiatives for Collaborative Health). This collaboration supports our shared commitment to advancing innovative, interdisciplinary work across mental and behavioral health.
Eligibility
The poster competition is open to students, trainees, postdocs, and early‑career researchers and faculty whose work aligns with the conference theme: Advancing Behavioral Health Through AI. Open to all institutions.
Award Categories
Top posters will be recognized in three categories:
• Best Research Project Design
• Best Poster/Presentation
• Best Collaborative Approach (Team that has collaborators from different schools/disciplines)
Judging and Awards
Judging will take place during the conference.
Award recipients will be announced during the closing session.
Abstract Preparation Guidelines
Prepare the abstract following the guidelines. File type for upload must be .pdf or .docx.
Abstract Length: Single page, up to 500 words
Abstract must include:
- Title and authors
- A concise summary including Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusions
- No figures or tables
Abstract Submission
Prepare your abstract following the guidelines above and upload your file here:
Submit Abstract Here
Accepted file types: .pdf or .docx
Submission Deadline: March 27, 2026
For questions, contact us at: [email protected].
Poster Preparation Guidelines
To ensure the best display of your research poster, please follow these guidelines:
- The poster should be designed in a vertical orientation.
- Dimensions: 36 x 48 inches.
- Poster Printing Options
Parking
Parking is located at the TMC3 Collaboration Building, located at 7255 Helix Park Ave, Houston, TX 77030. Parking will not be validated or reimbursed.
Educational Information
PHYSICIANS – McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
PSYCHOLOGISTS – The Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This activity provides 6.50 hours of psychology continuing education credits.
NURSING – UTHealth Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Louisiana State Nurses Association Approver Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. LSNA Provider No. 4002179. This activity provides 6.50 contact hours of nursing continuing education.
SOCIAL WORKERS – This program has been approved for 6.50 credit hours in accordance with the requirements of the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners. Provider Sponsor: UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center/Provider Number: CS1177.