Worlds Apart: What Works in Adolescent Treatment and Why

Sometimes, adolescents can seem as though they come from an entirely different world, and in some regards, they do!  There has been a wealth of recent discoveries about adolescent development and learning.  Unfortunately, there is frequently a disconnect between what we know works best with adolescents and the treatment modalities we use when working with them.  This session reviews recent research and discoveries and explores how to best apply that knowledge to effectively treat adolescents with a strong emphasis on practical application.

Objectives:

• Identify the fundamental developmental task of adolescence, why knowing this task matters, and how to leverage it effectively in prevention, intervention, and treatment.
• Verbalize the vulnerabilities particular to adolescent development related to substance use.
• Articulate an understanding of the role of family, support systems, and traditional and social media in adolescence and how to help build support for the adolescents we serve.
• List three techniques designed to enhance engagement with adolescents.