MIRECC / CoE

MIRECC Presents Schedule

MIRECC Presents is held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from October to June, at 12 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET). The target audience includes, but is not limited to, Physicians, Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers and other professionals supporting Veteran care. Sign up for email updates or access your subscriber preferences: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHAVISN20/subscriber/new.

February 1, 2023: Diagnosis and Treatment of Functional Movement Disorders
Lee Neilson, M.D.
Fellow, Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment, NW MIRECC, VA Portland HCS

Purpose Statement: Movement disorders are encountered across a wide range of clinical settings, often associated with an underlying neurological condition or as an adverse effect of medications. However, functional movement disorders, which are abnormal motor behaviors inconsistent with known neurological disorders, can make accurate diagnosis and effective treatment more complicated. This presentation will describe effective methods for recognizing functional movement disorders and will highlight the essential elements of comprehensive treatment. 

Course Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the most prominent features of the history and exam that can rule in a diagnosis of a functional movement disorder
2. Summarize the pathophysiology of functional movement disorders
3. Discuss a multi-modal approach to treatment and identify good prognostic indicators

February 15, 2023: Treating PTSD in the Context of Cognitive Impairment
Jeffrey Gregg, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist, Durham VA HCS

Purpose Statement: PTSD can exist throughout the lifespan, and individuals with PTSD are significantly more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with dementia in later life. But evidence-based approaches for assessing and treating PTSD have been designed and tested among individuals without cognitive impairment. So, this presentation will provide practical suggestions for clinicians for adapting assessment and treatment for late life PTSD based on research evidence and clinical experience.

Course Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the relationship between PTSD and cognitive functioning
2. Discuss potential adaptations for evidence-based assessment and treatment of PTSD for older adults with mild cognitive impairment
3. Identify environmental approaches for management of PTSD symptoms among individuals with moderate to severe dementia

MIRECC Presents is a Continuing Education webinar series on mental health topics provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN 20) Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) in collaboration with the VA Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD).

VA VISN 20 consists of four states across three time zones; Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The primary research center located at VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) is affiliated with University of Washington. VAPSHCS serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake and Seattle. Veterans in Washington are also served by VA Medical Centers in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. In Washington, there are VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) located in Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Wenatchee, and Yakima. The research center located at VA Portland Heath Care System (VAPORHCS) is affiliated with Oregon Health and Science University. VAPORHCS serves Veterans from Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland and Vancouver. Veterans in Oregon are also served by VA Medical Centers in Roseburg and White City. In Oregon, there are CBOC's located in Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, Warrenton, and West Linn. VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed.

Browse facilities by state

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-927-8387 is a free, around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Explore VA.gov

VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic. Each of these pages includes resources, information on treatment options, and more.

Stories of Support