Integrating Lifestyle Interventions into Evidence-Based Psychotherapy

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR

Instructor: Alexia Konko, PsyD

Instructional Level: Introductory

1 CE credit for Psychologists

1 CE credit for New York Psychologists (NYSED)

Duration: 3 hours

Price: $30

Description

Mental health treatment outcomes are influenced not only by psychological processes, but also by lifestyle factors such as sleep, physical activity, nutrition, and stress physiology. Emerging research in behavioral medicine and lifestyle psychiatry demonstrates that these factors play a significant role in the onset, maintenance, and treatment of common mental health disorders, yet they are often underrepresented in graduate training and continuing education.

This continuing education program provides an evidence-based framework for integrating lifestyle interventions into psychotherapy while maintaining ethical scope of practice. Participants will review current research linking sleep, movement, nutrition, and stress regulation to mental health outcomes and learn practical strategies for incorporating lifestyle-informed assessment and intervention into existing psychotherapy models. Emphasis is placed on translating research findings into clinically appropriate applications, interdisciplinary collaboration, and measurement-based care.

Through didactic instruction, case examples, and applied discussion, participants will develop skills to conceptualize clients using a lifestyle-informed biopsychosocial framework and to support behavior change in ways that enhance therapeutic outcomes. Ethical considerations, scope of practice boundaries, and referral guidelines will be addressed throughout the training. This program is designed for licensed mental health professionals and advanced trainees seeking to expand their clinical toolkit using scientifically grounded, integrative approaches.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, participants will demonstrate the ability to:

• Summarize research linking sleep, physical activity, nutrition, and stress physiology to mental health symptoms and treatment outcomes.
• Identify lifestyle-related contributors to psychological distress using a biopsychosocial assessment framework.
• Integrate evidence-based lifestyle interventions into psychotherapy treatment planning while maintaining ethical scope of practice.

Instructor Bio

Dr. Alexia Konko, Psy.D., is a Licensed Psychologist providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment services in New Jersey and PSYPACT states. Her clinical work integrates traditional evidence-based psychotherapy with health psychology and lifestyle-informed approaches that support psychological and behavioral functioning. Dr. Konko specializes in working with adults and youth experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, chronic illness, and learning differences. She conducts comprehensive learning disability and ADHD evaluations and has extensive experience in school-based psychological services across multiple districts nationwide. As a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner, Dr. Konko incorporates research-supported strategies related to sleep, movement, mindfulness, and behavioral health into her clinical practice. She has pursued advanced training in nutrition and integrative approaches to cognitive health, with particular interest in the relationship between brain health and behavioral outcomes. Dr. Konko earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical scope of practice, and translating emerging research into practical clinical application.

Dr. Konko does not have any commercial support and/or conflict of interest for this program.

Contact Us

For questions, please contact: ce@gsapp.rutgers.edu

Continuing Education Policy:

Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0123.

Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.