Event Details
Event Details
50th Annual Adolescent Symposium of Texas
March 4, 2026- March 5, 2026
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Plano Event Center, 2000 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas
Presented by Mental Health America of Greater Dallas
About The Annual Adolescent Symposium of Texas
About The Annual Adolescent Symposium of Texas
The Adolescent Symposium, going on its 50th "Golden Anniversary" year, is the premier mental health conference in Texas. Each year, Mental Health America of Greater Dallas draws over 50 speakers and hundreds of attendees from all over the U.S. to network and share resources and strategies to address a variety of youth mental health topics. We utilize the entire Plano Events Center to accommodate multiple concurrent 90 minute sessions and workshops for our attendees which allow them to earn up to 12 CEUs. This year, we are offering Ethics options on each day of the conference plus have 2 dynamic keynote speakers. Our hallways and non-profit room will offer resources and services from multiple organizations, sponsors and exhibitors so that you can network plus utilize these services after the conference ends. Our title sponsor this year is the Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub (www.spbhrotary.org). Please check out our "Self-Care" room for yourselves and for ideas to use after the conference. Come celebrate with us!
ASOT 2026 Keynote Speakers
Meet our ASOT 2026 Keynote Speakers
WEDNESDAY DAY 1 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Brian Dixon, MD, is an award-winning psychiatrist, author, and speaker who believes mental health is the foundation of a life well lived. A native of East Texas, Dr. Dixon obtained his BA in Psychology from Baylor University and his medical degree from the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. After completing the Triple Board Residency including Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky, he returned to Texas and settled in Fort Worth to start his private practice, Progressive Psychiatry dba Mindful, in 2014.
In 2020, he launched Simply Psych, PLLC, a psychiatrist-centered business coaching and operations company providing high-touch support for direct-pay psychiatry practices and physician owners across the country. In 2025, he aligned with the Texas A&M Institute for Healthcare Access in Fort Worth to provide clinical supervision of a medico-legal partnership project improving access to care for incarcerated individuals. Learn more at https://simplypsych.com/
An engaging and fun speaker, Dr. Dixon serves on expert panels, presents from the national conference stage, volunteers in the classroom, and represents mental health in non-clinical business circles. With his firm belief that “everyone deserves their best fit therapist,” Dr. Dixon tackles mental health stigma head-on, helping to normalize our culture’s last taboo: talking about our feelings.
THURSDAY DAY 2 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Laney Knowlton (she/her/hers), LMFT-S, CST, CSAT-S, CPTT-S, CCPS, CCRDS-S, CCBRT, RAE, has worked in the mental health field since 2009. She holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a PhD in Clinical Sexology and currently serves as President of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH). She specializes in sexual health, with a focus on the assessment and treatment of Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB), betrayal, sexual trauma, and relational harm.
Dr. Knowlton is the creator of the Connected RecoveryTM model, an attachment-based, trauma-informed framework that integrates PSB treatment, betrayal recovery, individual and relational connection, and sexual health. She has authored multiple books and professional resources based on this model and contributed a chapter to Contemporary Issues in Human Services (published 2025, edited by Dr. James Wadley).
An AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states, Dr. Knowlton is an international presenter and educator, providing advanced training to mental health professionals working with individuals and families impacted by sexual behavior concerns, trauma, and disrupted attachment. She owns and directs Connected Recovery® Training, co-owns NorthStar Relational Consulting, and owns Knowlton Counseling in the Dallas, Texas area. https://www.connectedrecoverytraining.com/
payment options available
Ticket Purchases
One-Day and Two-Day tickets are available for purchase using the link above or by using this ticket link
If you are attending as a school district employee and need to have an invoice to submit to generate a purchase order and check for payment, please complete the registration for yourself and/or your group and request an invoice when you go to the payment page instead of selecting payment via credit/debit. An invoice attachment will be emailed to you that you can use for submission.
Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor
You can support the 50th Anniversary of the Adolescent Symposium of Texas by becoming a sponsor today! With a range of sponsorship levels and perks available, you can secure your spot by heading to the "Event Tickets" page and selecting "Sponsorship Options" to view the options or use the following link. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of this special milestone event and show your support for adolescent mental health and wellness in Texas. Join us as a sponsor for the 2026 Adolescent Symposium of Texas!
Questions?
If you have questions about ASOT, please reach out to us at DallasMHA@gmail.com so that we can assist you.
Our Generous Sponsors
Our Generous Sponsors
Thanks to our Title Sponsor Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub (www.spbhrotary.org) plus our other supporters. More sponsor information to be shared in the coming weeks. Our sponsors help make this conference possible, so please stop by their tables at the conference and connect with them.