Leading Psychologist to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis Through Nervous System Regulation at NRBS Conference

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a prominent children's mental health expert, will address the escalating youth mental health crisis at the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS) 2025 Annual Conference in New York City. Her presentation, "The Hidden Epidemic: Emotional Dysregulation in Today's Youth," will challenge conventional approaches by identifying nervous system dysregulation as the fundamental issue underlying anxiety, depression, and behavioral struggles in children and adolescents.

The conference, scheduled for October 24–26, 2025, brings together leading mental health professionals to address what Dr. Roseann describes as a critical gap in current treatment methodologies. "We are facing a youth mental health crisis, but the real issue isn't just anxiety or attention—it's dysregulation of the nervous system," she explained. "When we calm the brain first, kids can focus, learn, and heal. That's the shift I'll be bringing to NRBS 2025." This approach represents a significant departure from traditional mental health interventions that often focus on symptom management rather than addressing root causes.

The urgency of this topic is underscored by alarming statistics showing diagnosed anxiety among adolescents increased by 61% between 2016 and 2023, while depression diagnoses rose by 45% during the same period. Currently, nearly one in five teenagers lives with a diagnosed mental or behavioral condition, with emotional dysregulation affecting an estimated 30–50% of children in clinical settings. These figures highlight the critical need for innovative solutions that can be implemented across multiple settings, from clinical practices to classrooms and homes.

The NRBS 2025 Conference features an exceptional lineup of experts including trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk, nutrition researcher Thomas Campbell, digital stress authority Erik Peper, and neurofeedback leader Lynda Thompson. The conference theme, "Rethinking Paradigms: Innovative Approaches for Optimal Wellness," reflects the event's commitment to bridging cutting-edge neuroscience with practical applications. Additional information about the conference agenda and registration can be found at https://nrbs.org/2025-nrbs-annual-conference.

What makes this conference particularly significant is its multidisciplinary approach that extends beyond clinical practitioners to include educators and parents. For professionals, the event offers training in biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques that can expand treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Educators will learn classroom strategies to reduce stress and improve learning in environments where dysregulation increasingly disrupts academic performance. Parents can participate in a Youth Wellness Intensive offering hands-on strategies for raising regulated, resilient children in today's digital-stress environment.

Dr. Roseann's Regulation First Parenting™ framework, which forms the basis of her presentation and upcoming book, represents a paradigm shift in how mental health professionals approach childhood behavioral and emotional challenges. By focusing on calming the nervous system as the foundational step, this method acknowledges that effective learning and healing cannot occur without first establishing regulation. The conference's comprehensive approach to topics including trauma recovery, nutrition, digital stress, and emotional regulation makes it particularly relevant for those covering mental health, education, parenting, neuroscience, and wellness topics.