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.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding Developmental Trauma
- Define developmental trauma and its impact through sensitive periods
- Examine disruptions in interpersonal attachments, safety, and emotional regulation
- Discuss how trauma alters cognitive, behavioral, and emotional control
- Highlight the connection between trauma exposure and complex PTSD
Objective #2: Effects of Trauma Across Early Childhood Development
- Identify symptoms in children aged 0–2 and 3–6 exposed to trauma
- Analyze cognitive impacts such as memory problems, learning difficulties, and executive dysfunction
- Understand attachment disruptions and later relational challenges
Objective #3: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress
- Review the ACEs framework and its implications for adulthood
- Link toxic stress to chronic health issues and emotional dysregulation
- Explore long-term impacts on cognition, relationships, and future health
Objective #4: Adolescent Development and Trauma
- Examine cognitive, social, and emotional tasks of adolescence
- Understand how trauma interferes with abstract thinking, peer relationships, and emotion regulation
- Discuss trauma’s effect on cognitive flexibility and future orientation
Objective #5: Gender and Trauma Presentation Differences
- Analyze how trauma manifests differently in girls and boys
- Review higher risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD in girls
- Discuss aggression, conduct problems, and antisocial behaviors more prevalent in boys
- Explore hormonal influences during puberty impacting trauma responses
Objective #6: Trauma Types and Their Effects
- Review the impacts of childhood sexual abuse on shame, body image, and risky behaviors
- Understand emotional abuse’s correlation with anxiety, cognitive issues, and interpersonal difficulties
Objective #7: Behavioral Manifestations of Trauma in Adolescents
- Identify misdiagnosis risks of traumatized youth as conduct disordered or oppositional
- Explore case examples illustrating trauma reactions misinterpreted as delinquency
- Recognize the role of attachment disruptions and complex trauma symptoms
Objective #8: Complex Trauma and Assessment Considerations
- Differentiate between single-incident PTSD and chronic complex trauma
- Highlight anticipatory fear, helplessness, and disorganized attachment patterns
- Introduce methods for assessing complex trauma beyond event-specific symptomology
Objective #9: Elevated Risk Behaviors and Treatment Approaches
- Connect trauma to risky behaviors like substance use and self-injury
- Emphasize the need for support even during continued self-destructive behaviors
- Highlight relational goals of trauma treatment: trust-building, realistic threat appraisal, emotional regulation
Objective #10: Evidence-Based Treatments for Traumatized Adolescents
- Introduce STAIR Narrative Therapy for treating C-PTSD and attachment disruptions
- Present Trauma-Focused CBT tailored for youth, focusing on gradual exposure and affect regulation
- Discuss key components of practice including psychoeducation, parenting support, cognitive coping, and trauma narrative processing
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dr. Jillian Graves, PhD, LMSW
Recording Date: December 1, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com