Chronic Depression in Youth

Dr. Lisa Cohen Bennett

Training Description

Participants will define Major Depression  and Persistent Depressive Disorder as detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual, along with the other Depressive Disorders.  The group will delineate between sadness and depression as expressed by youth.  Through didactic lecture, sharing research handouts, group discussion and case studies, students will examine the symptoms of anger turned inward, developmental trauma, fewer happy thoughts per day and issues of disturbance of functioning.  Treatment options with possible resistance will be discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will define Major Depression and Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Participants will understand consequences and symptomatology of both  disorders as it relates to youth
• Participants will explore treatment options, particularly with resistant clients.

Agenda

9:30 - 10:00  Intros

10:00 - 11:00 Diagnoses in this category: (DSMV page 155) (Articles + differences for youth) 

1. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation 

2. Major Depressive Disorder 

3. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) 

4. Substance/Medication Induced Depressive Disorder 

5. Unspecified Depressive Disorder 

6. Developmental Trauma Disorder (not currently in the DSMV)

11:00 - 11:15.  BREAK (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

11:15 - 11:45  Digging Deeper into Causes 

1. Social Media 

2. Substance 

3. Heredity/Brain Chemistry 

4. Trauma

11:45 - 12:00  Treatment Options

1. Psychotropic Medication 

2. Psychotherapy (examples include:)  Cognitive Behavioral Techniques  Dialectical Behavioral Techniques  Relational/Group   Sand Tray  Art  Music  Talk  Family

12:00 - 12:30  Case Discussions + Working with Resistant Clients

1. What does the research show about efficacy for medication, psychotherapy and resistance? (article) 

2. Patience! 

3. Case sharing

12:30 - 12:45 Wrap-up; Evaluations

12:45   Adjournment

Meet Our Trainer

Dr. Lisa Cohen Bennett is a licensed psychologist who has over forty years experience treating severely emotionally disturbed (SED) /traumatized children, adolescents and their families.  Dr. Bennett has worked in a variety of settings including Residential Treatment, Runaway Shelter, County Mental Health and Clinics.  She has over twenty-five years experience teaching Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Group Home/STRTP Staff, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Teachers in California and Nationally. Dr. Bennett also has a private practice where she treats adolescents and adults dealing with current and historic trauma.

This course meets the qualifications for (3) BBS CEUs for LCSWs and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.