Training Overview
Working with a teen diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be challenging but also presents an opportunity to support their healing and growth. In this training, we will review the diagnosis of PTSD and explore how its symptoms impact developmental tasks and daily life. Teens with PTSD often experience a range of symptoms, including flashbacks, sleep disturbances, suicidal ideation, strong reactions to triggers, difficulties with completing tasks, and relationship problems. We will discuss strategies to help teens understand their diagnosis, reduce symptoms, and focus on healing. The training will also include time to develop an action plan, and reviewing resources and coping skills beneficial for teens and their caregivers. This will enable you to validate the impact of trauma and offer opportunities for healing and post-traumatic growth. This live, virtual, intermediate-level training is designed for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and other human services professionals.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its impact on the developmental tasks of the teen years.
- Develop effective communication strategies to use with teens with PTSD, and their parents/caregivers to support optimal treatment outcomes.
- Identify typical symptoms experienced by teens with PTSD along with effective treatment methods.
- Plan resources about managing the symptoms of PTSD to share with teens and their families.
About Trainer
Laura Gaines, MSW, LISW-S, has twenty years experience as a child and adolescent mental health clinician and Crisis Text Line volunteer. In addition to her professional experience she has lived experience as the adoptive parent of a (now adult) daughter who is diagnosed with PTSD. Trainer and researcher regarding resilience as an individual and community skill. Laura provides clinical consultation regarding child and adolescent mental health. Her trainings focus on child development, mental health, developmental disabilities, ethics, trauma informed care, resilience and each person’s individual solutions to life’s challenges.
Register through IHS