Tips and Scripts For Supporting System Involved Kids and Teens Who Have Experienced Parental Intimate Partner Violence

Dr. Laura S. Anderson

Training Description

Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to happen frequently-and increasingly so during these stressful COVID times. It is clear that both adults and children are impacted when there is intimate partner violence in a family. Many children and teens who are in the child welfare system have witnessed violence between adult caregivers, and they carry the emotional scars and behavioral symptoms of having been impacted.

In this training we will explore ways for mental health professionals to support children who have witnessed violence at home. There is some overlap with other traumatic experiences-but it is also true that intimate partner violence can have a distinct impact on kids and teens. Concrete scripts for working with children and teens will be explored. We will review the latest research regarding how to promote resiliency and recovery for children who have been affected by caregiver domestic violence. This on-line class will include some information given and plenty of opportunities for interaction and practice.

Learning Objective

• List 3 ways that exposure to domestic violence impacts children teens and adults at different ages
• Practice important conversations with children and teens to help build resilience
• Identify 3 ways to talk to parents about intimate partner violence and its impact on kids
• Review case examples and develop interventions for families experiencing intimate partner violence

Agenda 

12:00pm-1:00pm Impacts of IPV on children and teens

1:00pm-2:00pm Focus on using developmentally appropriate language to talk to kids and teens about IPV

2:00pm-2:15pm Break (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

2:15pm-3:00pm Supporting parents in understanding harm done by IPV and ways to repair harm- without shame

3:15pm-3:45pm Case examples and safety planning

3:45pm-4:15pm Summary and evaluations

Meet Our Trainer

Dr. Laura S. Anderson is a clinical child and family psychologist who is licensed in Hawaii and California, and she has worked with youth and families for over twenty years. Dr. Anderson is currently based primarily in Hawaii. Her areas of expertise include school-based behavioral health, assessment, support for adoptive families, support for gender expansive youth and their families, foster care consultation, and the provision of cross-culturally sensitive care. She is lucky to have had wonderful clinical mentors and enjoys teaching others things she has learned “in the trenches” of direct service to children, adolescents, families, schools, and various other agencies. Dr. Anderson enjoys working with kids, families, and systems as they overcome barriers, build on their strengths, and thrive.

This course meets the qualifications for (4.0) 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.