Brainstorm. Navigating the Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain Adolescence as a Period of Opportunity and Vulnerability for Mental Health

Keynote Speaker

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute

Why do the majority of serious challenges to mental health emerge during the adolescent period, the second dozen years of life? Difficulties with the regulation of mood, thought, anxiety, and social interactions are most likely to arise during the teens and early twenties. To understand this finding and how to best offer clinical support to adolescents, neuropsychiatrist Dan Siegel, M.D., will explore the current scientific view of how changes in the teenage brain influence emotion, thought, decisions, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. The pruning and myelination that are at the heart of this period of “brain remodeling” may be the root of risk during this vulnerable period of life. By dispelling many of the commonly held myths about the teenage period, this presentation will offer insights into hyperrational thinking, impulsivity, changes in the dopamine drive for reward, and increases in the emotional reactivity of the brain to illuminate many of the potential risk factors.

Dr. Seigel will show that the emotional spark of adolescence has both upsides and downsides. The social engagement of adolescence is part of both individual and species adaptation. And that novelty seeking is natural, and creative explorations can empower teens to think outside the box.

Dr. Dan Siegel's new book Brainstorm explains and celebrates the power and possibility of the teenage brain.. Pre-order your copy here: http://bit.ly/brainstormbook

You'll Learn to...

1. Describe 4 fundamental aspects of the essence of adolescence
2. Identify the difference between impulsivity and hyperrational thinking
3. List the 2 major components of the remodeling process in the teenage brain
4. Name 3 outcomes of the changes in dopamine processing in the adolescent brain
5. Evaluate adolescent increased risk and 3 neurological processes that cause it
6. Compare adolescent risk taking with and without the presence of peers
7. Describe the relationship between gender identity and sexual orientation
8. Apply specific skills and knowledge from the workshops

Workshops

Choose TWO Dynamic and Informative Afternoon Workshops...

Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: Supporting Integration During the Teen Years

Ben Zequeira-Russell, Psy.D, Founder and Clinical Director of Real Connections Child Development Institute, will help parents and professionals understand the mind, brain, and relationships of adolescent children on the autism spectrum. It will cover the latest research on autism prevalence, autism neurobiology, and treatment models that support neural integration in the autistic brain.

Approaching a Teenage Client: Ways to Adapt Theory, Build Rapport, and Use Interventions in Clinical Work with a Teenage Client

Eric Kastan, LMFT, BCBA, and Clinical Director of F.A.C.T., will explore different techniques, theories and clinical skills that will help build better rapport and treatment planning when dealing with a teenage client.

Mindsight Revolutionaries: Mindful Mastery of the Teenage Universe

Michael Wolper, Executive Director of Center for Mindful Education, will introduce real-world practices that will allow teens to more effectively deal with change, stress, disappointment, and overwhelming emotions and help them recognize their self-worth, make more thoughtful decisions, and live in the present moment without the self-defeating lens of negative judgment.

Spirituality, Religion and the Search for Meaning: Implications for the Mental Health of Adolescents

Rooted in Dr. Daniel Siegel’s work on the developing brain of the adolescent and its impact on the inner and behavioral life of the adolescent, Rabbi Mordecai Finley, Ph.D., will examine the possible effects of the spiritual search on the development of adolescent mental health, offering a useful way of understanding the terms “spirituality” and “religion,” and the relationship between spirituality and religion.

Mindful Approaches to Bullying

Curt Widhalm, M.A., M.S., LMFT and Jon Pease, M.A., LMFT will be discussing strategies to decrease the occurrence and intensity of bullying through empathy, including how to recognize and interrupt the bullying cycle.

The Rules of Sex: for Those Who Have Never Been Told

Nora Baladerian, Ph.D. and author of “The Rules of Sex, for Those Who Have Never Been Told”, will equip participants with clear information on how to provide their children, clients, and students with the legal and social expectations for romantic and sexual relationships.

Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape

Christopher Mulligan, LCSW, will address the rapidly evolving changes in media and technology that confront families as they proceed into the 21st century. He will describe how current technological advances impact the psychological and social development of children and teens. In addition, he will offer insights on how parents/caregivers can maximize the on the benefits and minimize the risks of the current technological environment.

Advocacy, Regulation & Relationships: Fundamental Independence Skills and Strategies for adolescents with ASD

Sarita Freedman, PhD will discuss the role that self-awareness, self-advocacy, relationships, executive functions, and communication play in enabling adolescents with ASD to become independent and productive beings. Strategies for intervention will be interspersed throughout the presentation.

Schedule

• 8am - 9am Coffee / Registration
• 9am - 12pm Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
• 12pm - 1pm Lunch
  Networking and Resource Fair
• 1pm - 2:30pm Workshop 1
• 2:30pm - 3pm Break
• 3pm - 4:30pm Workshop 2

Cost

(Includes lunch)

$175 - Online
$195 - At the Door

CEU's - Additional $10
Student/Intern Rate - $125 (must provide proof of student or intern status)

Continuing Education

Psychologists: R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

LCSW, LMFT, LEP, LPCC: F.A.C.T. is an approved provider under the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. PCE 2598

Satisfactory Completion: Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in, attended the entire seminar, completed an evaluation, and signed out in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. This conference is seven hours.

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board's approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

Other Information

This event is co-sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars, F.A.C.T. and Real Connections.

Cancellation Policy: If F.A.C.T. cancels or postpones a program, a full refund will be issued. If you need to cancel:

1. Cancellation must be made in writing (by mail or by email) and received in our offices at least 10 days prior to the date of the program.
2. All cancellations are subject to a cancellation fee of 20% or thirty dollars, which ever is greater.
3. The cancellation fee is applicable even if you selected "pay by check" and have not yet paid.
4. No refund will be made for cancellations made within10 days of the start of the program.

Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.

Regional Center Vendor Number PW2646  •  This will be a green conference