Trauma and Adolescent Development (2HR)

Trauma can have a substantial impact on the neuropsychological and social development of adolescents. This workshop will present how trauma manifests in adolescents, particularly emphasizing gender and types of traumas. This training will primarily focus on assessing trauma in adolescence. Firstly, this workshop will examine the neurobiological development of adolescents both normatively and in those who experience prolonged trauma.   Secondly, this training will examine the types of trauma children and adolescents experience and how that might present behaviorally. Thirdly, this training provides information about developmental disruption’s challenges on adolescents at home, school, and in peer relationships.  Concerns about substance use and other risky behavior will be discussed.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the impact that trauma has on the neurodevelopment of children and adolescents.
• Identify how trauma symptoms manifest differently when considering factors like gender and type of trauma. 
• Describe the behavioral characteristics of traumatized adolescents and how they may be misdiagnosed or misunderstood at home and school.
• Understand the elevated risks of risky behavior, such as substance use, and what treatment protocols might help.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 General asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 hours of Trauma, Evidence-Based Practices, and General Skill Building continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Dr. Jillian Graves,  LCSW, Ph.D.