Treating Traumatized Teens and Emerging Adults: Development, Attachment, and the Therapeutic Relationship

May 12th, 2023

Traumatized adolescents and young adults struggle with self-regulation. They are dysregulated across systems–neurologically, cognitively, physically, emotionally, behaviorally, socially, and spiritually. Anxious and vigilant, and unable to trust themselves or caregivers, they may experience even loving relationships as confusing and frightening. But to learn self-soothing, they must first be able to rely upon others and discover the comfort of co-regulation. They benefit from relationships with adults that provide them with the psychological (and physical) sense of stability and containment they cannot supply themselves.

Their lifelong experience of the world as unpredictable is exacerbated by the fear and uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to us all. To work effectively with these youth, it’s crucial for adults to first foster their own capacity for self-awareness and self-regulation. It’s not easy, especially now, when we have also endured traumatic stress and losses of our own. Their extreme reactions—ranging from angry arousal to frozen shutting down—can more easily trigger our own increased sense of helplessness and overwhelm.

In this webinar, you will learn about Developmental-Relational Therapy (DRT), an attachment-based model of trauma treatment. You will learn and practice mindful, empathic strategies that help teens feel more secure, connected, present, and regulated—even over Zoom. You’ll discover how to get unhooked from old enactments by exploring:

• The additional challenges for development and trauma therapy in a pandemic
• The Four M’s—mirroring, mentalizing, mindfulness, and modulation—to increase connection and mood regulation
• The React, Reflect, and Respond approach to corrective relational experiences

A certificate of attendance will be issued

Speaker Information: Dr. Martha Straus

Martha B. Straus, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire and part-time Lecturer in the Program of Professional Education at Smith College for Social Work. Straus is an international trainer, speaking on topics related to child, adolescent, and family development, attachment, trauma, and psychotherapy. She maintains a small private practice in Brattleboro, Vermont where she also provides supervision and consultation to individuals, schools, and social service agencies. She’s the author of numerous articles and seven books including most recently a co-authored third edition of The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships (2021), Cool, Calm, and Connected: A Workbook for Parents and Children to Co-regulate, Manage Big Emotions & Build Stronger Bonds (2021), and Treating Trauma in Adolescents: Development, Attachment, and the Therapeutic Relationship (2017).

Join the live webinar on May 12th or view on-demand between May 13th-December 31st.

Winter Promotional Special until March 15th: Only $99+hst. Call 226-268-2307 about group rates.

Visit www.SOSWorkshops for details.