4 CE CONTACT HOURS: approved by NY State Boards for Psychologists, Psychoanalysts, Social Workers, & Mental Health Counselors

This workshop provides vital information to ensure that clinicians, helping professionals, caregivers & teachers are able to recognize the signs & symptoms of adolescent depression (with particular attention to underserved, BIPOC youth.

 Course Description:

Depression is often misdiagnosed and untreated in adolescents, particularly female teens of color. Special attention is paid to the issues and concerns for historically underserved, BIPOC youth. The Workshop will highlight how the race and gender of both the client and the clinician impact the diagnosis and treatment; this workshop uses both didactic and interactive, experiential teaching methods. Connections are made in regard to historical trauma, family history, and the impact of social constructs on mental health. Concrete treatment interventions will be provided to increase more accurate assessment and prognosis.

Teaching Methods:

·        This course is geared toward adult learners.

·        It will be taught with a combination of methods. Didactic lecture and the use of Power Point, video and other media.

·        Interactive activities such as role-play, and in vivo practice allow participants to practice the interventions, skills and techniques taught in the workshop.

·        Discussion of specific case examples to highlight use of interventions will occur throughout.

·        This course is available as a Single Day, 4-Hour Workshop or Single Day, 6-Hour Workshop.

Learning Objectives:

·        Learn & practice in an interactive, experiential setting how to provide concrete treatment interventions to decrease depressive symptoms.

·        Identify greater awareness of unconscious (or conscious) racial & gender bias in diagnosing depression in youth.

·        Assess the differences between adult and adolescent /childhood depression. 

·        Determine best practices for determining depression in adolescents. 

 Ellen Blaufox, LCSW-R is a licensed, clinical, social worker with more than 25 years of experience and expertise working with children, adolescents, adults and families who live with chronic stress, psychiatric illness, and are survivors of trauma. Currently in private practice, Ms. Blaufox was Clinical Director of the Mann and Goldsmith Residential Psychiatric Treatment Facilities at the Jewish Board, for more than ten years. During her time at the Jewish Board, Ellen had the opportunity to participate as a Core Team Member in the National Child Traumatic Study Network Learning Collaborative with the founders of Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is an experienced TF-CBT practitioner, supervisor and consultant. Additionally, Ellen was a Core Team Member of the implementation of the Sanctuary Model on the Westchester Campus of the Jewish Board where she led multi-disciplinary teams in the adaptation and implementation of the Sanctuary Model from an adult modality to address the needs of adolescent populations. She also collaborated with the Creators of SPARCS (Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress) in implementation of a pilot program for the Jewish Board.

Tuition: $125

Self Study