ATAP Winter Conference
February 3–6, 2026 | Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Preliminary Agenda
ATAP Winter Conference
February 3–6, 2026 | Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Conference Information
Who Should Attend:
• Law Enforcement
• Psychologists
• Executive Protection Professionals
• Victim/Witness Coordinators
• Probation/Parole Officials
Professional Credits:
American Psychological Association (APA)
Certified Protection Professionals (CPP)
• Prosecutors and Private Practice Attorneys
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are pleased to present the 2026 ATAP Winter Conference, designed to address major issues surrounding mass shootings and other public attacks, workplace violence, school/campus violence, domestic violence, assassination of public figures and other situations involving the prevention of targeted violence. A variety of nationally recognized speakers will give presentations on current information, research and techniques relating to the industry.
• Corporate Security, Legal, and Human Resources Professionals
• School/University Administrators, Resource Officers, and Counselors
• Mental Health and Behavioral Science Professionals
• Threat Assessment Practitioners & Researchers
Application has been made for continuing education for psychologists.
The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (NUPPC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The NUPPC sponsors this event and maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Security and Admission:
Security procedures at the conference will require calling a phone number from a registered cell phone and may also require a picture I.D. for picking up conference materials. A visible display of the conference badge will be required at all sessions and events. By registering and attending the conference, attendees agree that they and their personal property will be subject to search, as requested, before or during attendance at any conference session or event. Refusal to allow the requested search will be grounds for uncompensated revocation of access to all conference sessions and events.
ATAP retains the right to refuse and/or revoke admission to any and all conference events to any person who, in ATAP’s sole discretion, presents a threat of harm to themselves or others, and/or whose conduct or presence has or will cause disruption to the conference.
Registration Information
Registration Rates:
*ATAP Members: $725
Non-Members: $850
**Students: $600
**Students must be enrolled in a graduate program in the field of criminal justice or psychology and must provide school and instructor’s name as a reference.
How to Register:
Registration is capped at 1,000 attendees. Once the 1,000-attendee cap has been met, ATAP will reopen registration for spots made available due to cancellations on a predetermined schedule that will be posted on the ATAP Winter Conference Page.
Register immediately for the ATAP 2026 Winter Conference by completing the online registration form. If you’re an ATAP member, make sure to log into the website to receive member pricing! All conference pre-registrations must be received by January 16, 2026. You may pay online with a credit card, or send check payments to:
ATAP
808 R Street, Suite 209 Sacramento, CA 95811
By registering for the ATAP Winter Conference, registrants assume full responsibility for ensuring that payment of their registration is submitted to ATAP within thirty (30) days of the closure of the event. If an attendee can have payment made through a third party (employer), then ATAP accepts payment from third party payers (e.g. the registrant’s employer), but it is the full responsibility of the registrant to ensure that payment is made. ATAP is not responsible for pursuing payment from third parties. Registrants whose fees are not paid within 120 days of the event will be unable to register for future ATAP events until payment is received.
ATAP Attendee List:
Registered attendees of the Winter Conference will be listed within the conference mobile app, listing their names, agencies, phone numbers and email addresses of all registered conference participants. Attendees wishing to opt out of having their information printed in the roster may do so during the registration process.
Attendees registering after January 16, 2026, may not be listed in the 2026 ATAP Winter Conference attendee list.
Cell Phone Requirement:
ATAP Winter Conference attendees will use a cell phone check in process that relies on cell phone numbers provided during the registration process. Attendee cell phone numbers will not be shared with any other entity, nor will attendees be called by ATAP. To ensure a smooth registration process, please provide a cell phone number that will be used during the event.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations notices must be made IN WRITING and received by ATAP no later than January 16, 2026. All cancellations received on or by January 16, 2026, will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations made after January 16, 2026. Please send cancellation notices to staff@atapworldwide.org.
Additional Considerations:
• The registration fee includes a continental breakfast each day and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Conference dress attire is casual. It is recommended that you have a jacket or sweater, as meeting rooms are kept at a cool temperature.
• Attendees requiring ADA accommodations should contact Elizabeth Cardwell (ecardwell@atapworldwide.org ) to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made prior to the event
ATAP Winter Conference
February 3–6, 2026 | Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Hotel Information
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista:
1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Discounted Rate: $255
Deadline to Book: January 3, 2026 - or while space lasts Information on how to book your room will be available in attendee confirmation emails after registering.
Discounted Disney Park Tickets:
ATAP has arranged for discounted park tickets to be available for purchase by Winter Conference Attendees. To purchase specially priced Walt Disney World® Meeting/ Convention Theme Park tickets, CLICK HERE.
The discounted ticket store will close on February 2, 2026.
Conference Agenda – Subject to Change
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
7:00 – 11:00 AM Registration
7:30 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 AM Welcoming Remarks and Scavenger Hunt Introduction
9:30 – 10:30 AM Standards of Practice in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management – Molly Amman, J.D., CTM, Molly Amman Threat Assessment LLC
10:30 – 10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM The Meme-To-Murder Pipeline: How Internet Subcultures Breed the Next Attackers? – Katie McCarthy, Associate Director, Threat Monitoring - Center on Extremism; and Evan Wheeler, Threat Analyst, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
12:00 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
Tarasoff, Targeted Violence, and Treatment: Enhancing Metal Health’s Role in Threat Management and Monitoring – Adare Toral, Ph.D., LPCC, Assistant Professor/Clinician, The Chicago School/ Central Coast Pyschotherapy; and Joseph Holifield, Ph.D., Principal-CEO, Holifield Psychological Services, Inc.
Track 2
Wootton High School Manifesto-Threat or Fiction – Justin Sarrar, MA, Detective Sergeant; and Karen Mooney, Assistant State’s Attorney, Montgomery County Police
2:45 – 3:00 PM Break
3:00 – 4:15 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
From Same to Rage-or Resistance: Developmental Cascades, Autism Spectrum Considerations, and Mind Mapping Incel Trajectories – Bruce Quinn, MFS Candidate, Founder, The Center for Safety Training & Development; and Stephanie Leite, Psy.D., Forensic Intelligence, LLC
Track 2
“Alone We Can Do So Little”: Optimizing Multidisciplinary Team Dynamics and Leadership to Advance BTAM Success – Alysha Teed, Ph.D., CTM, Director and Founder, Patronus Consulting LLC; and Kathleen DeNardi, Ph.D., CTM, Clinical Psychologist
5:00 – 7:00 PM Networking Reception
Conference Agenda – Subject to Change
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
7:00 – 11:00 AM Registration
7:30 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 AM This is your Brain on Bot: AI, Psychosis and Threat Assessment – Philip Saragoza, MD, Forensic Psychiatrist, Work Trauma Services, Inc.
9:30 – 9:45 AM Break
9:45 – 10:45 AM
Information Sharing in Furtherance of Threat Mitigation: Liability Fact vs. Fiction - Jennifer Arbittier Williams, JD, Law Partner; and Gregory A. Paw, JD, Law Partner, Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan LLP
10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM When Nothing Matters: Personal Pain and Insularity as Drivers of Domestic Violent Extremism – Jessica Stern, Ph.D., Research Professor, Boston University; Shuki Cohen, Ph.D., Associate Professor/ Director - Center on Terrorism, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Alexander Westphal, MD, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine; and Mario Scalora, Ph.D., CTM, Director, University of Nebraska
12:00 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
Freeman and Patriots: The Sovereign Citizen Movement – Roman Asaro, Certified BTAM Master Trainer, Certified Cyber Crime Intelligence Analyst, Nebraska Information Analysis Center - Nebraska State Patrol
Track 2
When Federal Law Enforcement Asks ‘What’s the School Going to Do?’: Navigating and Managing BTAM When Law Enforcement Cannot Intervene – Mary Ann Bell, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, School Safety Specialist, Burlington Township Schools; and James MccDavitt, Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning, New Jersey Department of Education
2:45 – 3:00 PM Break
3:00 – 4:15 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
Personality Disorders and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management – Kristin Schneider, Ph.D., CTM, Psychologist/Behavioral Science Advisor, DCSA DITMAC BTAC
Track 2
Violence Prevention in the Health Care Workplace – Daniel Hughes, Ph.D., CEAP, Associate Professor; and Rodney Miller, MPA, CISSP, Mount Sinai Health System
Thursday, February 6, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 AM The Business of BTAM – Ronald Schouten, MD, JD, CTM, Capital Partner, VanSlyke Schouten, LLP
9:30 – 9:45 AM Break
9:45 – 10:45 AM BTAM for Sexual Offenders – Kostas Katsavdakis, Ph.D., ABPP, Diplomate in Forensic Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Understanding the Significance of Attachment in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management – Karie A Gibson, Psy.D., LP, Unit Chief, FBI/BAU
12:00 – 12:15 PM Law Enforcement Scholarship Presentations
12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
When Grief Turns Dangerous: Understanding Loss as a Factor in Targeted Violence – Makenzie Perkins, MS, CTM, NCC, District Counseling and Threat Assessment Supervisor, Collierville Schools; and Nancy Kelley, Senior Threat Manager, Walmart
Track 2
The “Victimless” Threat – William Tyler Wolfe, OSC, Protective Intelligence Analyst, Pinkerton/Roblox
2:45 – 3:00 PM Break
3:00 – 4:15 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1
Psychosis and Threat Assessment: “Imagination is the Only Weapon in the War with Reality”–Cherylynn Lee, Ph.D., Police Psychologist, Santa Barbara Sheriffs Office
Track 2
Digital Terrorism and the Threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremism – Julia Kupper, Tactical Linguist, [FLAIR] Forensic Linguistic Analysis & Investigative Research; and Matt Kriner, Executive Director at the Institute for Countering Digital Extremism (ICDE)
Conference Agenda – Subject to Change
Friday, February 6, 2026
7:00 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 AM The Role of AI in combating the Illicit Dark Web – Brook Scharli, Ph.D., Digital Policy & Security Consultant | USMC Veteran; and Alex Scharli, Alliant International University
9:30 – 9:45 AM Break
9:45 – 10:45 AM Stalking: Slow Motion Homicide – Anna Nasset, BFA, SME, Trainer/Consultant, A. Nasset Consulting & Training
10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Suicidal Ideation Meets Homicidal Thoughts: A dangerous, Often Overlooked Synergy!”– Tony Thrasher, DO, MBA, CPE, DFAPA, Past President, American Association for Emergency Psychiatry
12:00 – 12:15 PM Closing Remarks Register Today!
