The Addictive Family: The Legacy of Trauma

As clinicians, we work with people impacted by addiction more frequently than we recognize. Some people are actively addicted, others may be partnered with people who experience addiction, and many were raised around addiction. They repeatedly show up in mental health systems and doctors' offices with signs of depression and anxiety; they appear at our family service agencies as struggling parents; and they often seek out a private practitioner due to relationship problems. Frequently, their underlying issues of trauma are not identified or addressed, and the problems continue.

Most people think of trauma as those acute, dramatic scenarios such as acts of terrorism or natural disasters, but most forms of trauma occur in more subtle, chronic forms within families. In this web conference, Dr. Black will begin with a genogram to provide a picture of a family system's multigenerational patterns. She will draw distinctions between the big "T" and little "t" traumas within the addictive family, with the recognition that the behaviors acted out by both the person with addiction and the family member are often a part of their fight, flight, or freeze responses. Acknowledging that negative childhood experiences, emotional abandonment, and blatant violence are all part of the trauma, she will also provide details that clearly link trauma to multiple addictions and co-occurring disorders. Dr. Black will conclude with specific recommendations for the clinician.

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

1. Recognize the utilization of a genogram;
2. Identify how fight, flight, and freeze develop as responses to trauma in addictive families;
3. Describe both big "T" and little "t" traumas that frequently occur in families impacted by addiction;
4. Discuss the relationship of trauma to multiple addictions and co-occurring disorders.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

"It is magnificent how Dr. Black developed a thorough explanation of these important topics such as addiction and trauma by using different paradigms." - Cristina Fandino, EdD, MEd

"I have read and used her books in my therapy practice for years. It was a pleasure to finally hear her speak." - Ellen Biros, MS, LCSW

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2019. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive two clinical continuing education clock hours.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium or Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no cost. Not yet a Premium or Pro Member? Mental health professionals can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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