A Somatic Approach to Understanding Addiction in System Involved Youth

Michele and Tory Ponsford

Training Description

Substance addiction and troublesome use can often affect System Involved Youth (SIY).  Previously, methods of understanding substance addiction/troublesome use in SIY have been limited. There is a need to reframe the issue from a perspective that encompasses a more diverse and inclusive methodology including attachment theory, social ecology, toxic environmental stress, physical and emotional well-being. A foundational understanding of the broad spectrum of contributing factors can allow us to fully support SIY with addiction and troublesome use by bringing clarity to how and why addiction develops.  This course has been designed to give participants a somatic understanding of addiction in SIY, how the mind connects with the body and how to use somatic techniques and strategies to internally self-regulate as opposed to using external substances.

Learning Objective

• Participants will gain an understanding of the benefits of using somatic techniques to connect the mind and…