This year, MeWeRTH, will be collaborating with the Department of Psychology to host an online Let's Talk lecture on Thursday, January 26th from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Hyoun S. (Andrew) Kim to give a keynote address entitled, "Understanding Addictions and Co-Occurring Mental Health Through a Transdiagnostic Lens: Clinical Implications and Future Directions."

Hyoun S. (Andrew) Kim, PhD, C. Psych.

Title: Understanding Addictions and Co-Occurring Mental Health Through a Transdiagnostic Lens: Clinical Implications and Future Directions

Abstract: Transdiagnostic theories of addiction conceptualize addictive behaviours (substance and behavioural) as reflecting a common underlying disorder. A transdiagnostic approach to addictive behaviours may have important implications for the treatment of addictive behaviours, in particular for newly recognized behavioural addictions such as internet gaming disorder. Additionally, a transdiagnostic approach to addictions may also help to explain the common co-occurrence of addictions and mental health (i.e., concurrent disorders). In this presentation, I will present a program of research that utilizes a multi-method approach to identify the: (i) shared mechanisms of substance and behavioural addictions and (ii) risk factors of concurrent disorders. I will conclude with proposing a transdiagnostic treatment model of addictions and the role of psychology in bridging the gap in understanding and treatment of co-occurring addictions and mental health.