The Center for Mental Health, Policy, and the Law is sponsoring a series of free webinars on assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). AOT is an involuntary behavioral health program, initiated with a court order, for adults with severe mental illness or substance use disorder. It serves as a lesser restrictive alternative to involuntary hospitalization and a treatment option on the continuum of care for individuals with severe mental illness. Webinars will give an overview of AOT, including its history, empirical evidence base, implementation, and ethical considerations, both in Washington state, and beyond. The series is intended to be useful to both professional and community audiences. Continuing education is available.
Upcoming webinars
Please check back for additional details.
Thursday, September 10, 2026 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
Assisted Outpatient Treatment in the United States: History, Evidence, Implementation, and Future Directions
Jeffrey W. Swanson, PhD
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
AOT in Washington state
Diane Weiner, LMHC
November 19, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
AOT Graduate Experiences
December 10, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
What does the research tell us about AOT outcomes?
Kiersten Jeske, PhD
January 21, 2027, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
AOT from the family’s perspective
Jerri Clark
February 11, 2027, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
Team-based care for serious mental illness
Maria Monroe-DeVita, PhD
March 11, 2027, 12:00–1:15 p.m. PT
AOT in Practice: Perspectives From Pierce County
April 8, 2027, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
A Panel Discussion on the AOT Hot Topics Series
Jerri Clark; Kiersten Jeske, PhD; Maria Monroe-DeVita, PhD; Jeffrey W. Swanson, PhD; Diane Weiner, LMHC; and more!
Objectives
- Understand the origins and development of AOT in the U.S.
- Become familiar with the standards and processes for AOT in Washington state.
- Recognize ethical considerations in AOT.
- Appreciate clinical guides and services in the treatment of persons with mental illness who are involved in AOT.
- Understand common scenarios encountered by persons with lived experience with AOT.
- Become familiar with policy considerations in the evaluation, implementation, and reform of AOT.
Continuing Education
The University of Washington is an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, chemical dependency professionals, nurses and physicians under the provisions of: WAC 246-809-610, WAC 246-809-620, WAC 246-811-200, WAC 246-840-210, WAC 246-919-460 and WAC 246-924-240.
Joint Accreditation: In support of improving patient care, The University of Washington School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME),the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Each session is 1.0 credit, with the exception of the March 11 session, which is 1.25 credits.