Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals Hosts Annual Conference

HARRISBURG, PA, September 25, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- the Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals (PAAP) will host its 2026 Annual Conference, "Collaborations to Change," in the Harrisburg area. The one-day event, which offers up to 6.5 continuing education units (CEUs), aims to bring together addiction professionals, counselors, peer specialists, and policymakers to enhance the state's addiction workforce.

The day will begin with a welcome address from PAAP President Dr. Ken Martz. Following this, a morning plenary session will feature Latika Davis-Jones, and a discussion on the current state of addiction in Pennsylvania will include contributions from Jen Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and Gary Tennis, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).

Lunchtime will feature two keynote speeches. Bill Miller, a pioneer in Motivational Interviewing, will deliver a talk on the evolution of this therapeutic approach. Breakout sessions will cover a range of topics, including online gambling and recovery, ethical use of AI in behavioral health, moral injury, family healing, recovery capital, peer recovery support, trauma-informed care, process addictions, and gender-affirming care.

The conference is open for registration, and interested participants can sign up at PAAP's website. Vendor, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities are also available.

Dr. Martz, who serves as President of PAAP, Co-Chair of NAADAC's National Policy Committee, and a member of NAADAC's Board of Directors, is a licensed psychologist with a strong background in addiction treatment. His work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as TIME, NPR, CBS, NBC, and Business Insider. His work has been featured in TIME, NPR, CBS, NBC, and Business Insider.

PAAP, the statewide professional association for addiction counselors, prevention specialists, and allied professionals, advances the field through education and training, certification support, and advocacy for sound public policy. With a mission of strengthening the workforce that serves Pennsylvanians affected by substance use and gambling disorders, PAAP is an affiliate of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals.