Workshops To Explore How To Prevent Teen Suicide, Sex Abuse

WARRINGTON, PA — Foundations Community Partnership will hold three workshops this spring to cover important topics, including preventing youth suicide and child abuse. Educators, counselors, parents, and mental health professionals are invited to attend.

“Depression, Suicide, and Related Mood Disorders in Adolescents” will be held on Wednesday, March 6 from 8:30 a.m to noon.

Presenter Matthew Wintersteen, Associate Professor and Director of Research in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, will review current findings and evidence-based treatment practices for depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders in adolescents.

"Particular attention will be paid to factors contributing to suicide risk and approaches to working with youth at heightened risk for suicide in outpatient settings," Foundations explains.

Then on Wednesday, April 3 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Anthony L. Rostain, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, will give a presentation on “Improving Clinical Outcomes for Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.”

That workshop will address common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents, such as ADHD, ASD, Tourette, Semantic Pragmatic Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and other learning disabilities. Dr. Rostain will address the challenges in assessing and treating these disorders and the most effective interventions, including medication, behavior management, social skills, family support, and school-based interventions.

“The Role of Psychoeducation in Treatment and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse” is the topic of the workshop on Wednesday, May 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Author Lori Stauffer, the founder of Hope for Families, Inc., is the presenter.

"This important workshop will explore psychoeducation as one of the key components of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This program will provide an overview of the components of TF-CBT and discuss the role of psychoeducation in both helping children to process abusive experiences and helping to reduce their risk of future abuse. Psychoeducation also plays a crucial role in helping to empower children who have no known history of abuse and reduce their risk of future victimization," according to information from Foundations.

Three continuing education credits will be offered for PA Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, NBCC Counselors, and Act 48.

All workshops will be held at the Doylestown Health & Wellness Center Auditorium, which is located at 847 Easton Rd./Rt. 611, Warrington.

The cost is $65 for each workshop and includes breakfast.

For more information or to register, call Foundations Community Partnership, 267-247-5584 or visit www.fcpartnership.org