Extended Adolescence - When 25 Looks More Like 18: Clinical Strategies for Clients Struggling to Meet the Demands of Adulthood

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Speaker

Steven O'Brien, PsyD Related seminars and products

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Steve O'Brien, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with nearly 30 years of experience treating children, adolescents, families and young adults in his Clearwater, Florida practice. His specialty areas include child-adolescent anxiety/depression, ADHD Autism Spectrum Disorders, and divorced/blended family adjustment. Dr. O'Brien utilizes an integrative-systems model which tailors treatment to the developmental needs of youth and families. Intensive parent consultation and youth-focused family interventions are critical components of his therapeutic approach.

Dr. O'Brien has worked in numerous healthcare environments, including community mental health, psychiatric, inpatient/residential, substance abuse, and medical facilities. He also served as associate professor of child-adolescent studies at the Florida School of Professional Psychology. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. O'Brien is an app developer (Life@Home by Psychtouch.com) and a media consultant for both Tampa Bay and national news outlets. Visit obrienpsychology.com for more information.

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Dr. Steven O'Brien maintains a private practice. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. Dr. O'Brien has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

Non-financial: Dr. Steven O'Brien is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Florida Psychological Association.

Additional Info

Program Information

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.

Objectives

1. Evaluate relevant research on extended adolescence and emerging adulthood.
2. Determine factors which promote normative vs complicated adolescent identity development.
3. Evaluate the interplay of technological, societal, and educational stressors on the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
4. Distinguish how DSM-5™ disorders develop in adolescents hinder the “adulting” process.
5. Choose therapeutic strategies for reducing symptom severity in young adults and for reducing systemic conflict.
6. Design clinical interventions for common disorders of the Gen Z population.
7. Employ therapeutic techniques for cultivating a growth mindset and resilience in young adults.

Outline

• Psychosocial implications of a “Check-listed Childhood”
• Plugged-in but disconnected: “The Loneliest Generation”
• Short-term gratification for the dopamine dependent brain
• Gender, race, privilege and other “identity influencers”
• Interplay of technology, society and educational stressors
• “Virtual Reality IS Their Reality”

• Tips for rapport building with Generation Z
• Mindfully managing parental involvement
• Build working alliances without alignments
• Cultivate cooperation and bypass resistance

• Model openness and flexibility with Gen Z culture
• Distinguish between pathology and generational differences
• Precursors to other disorders – are you seeing these traits clearly
• Navigate more complex Identity exploration and confusion
• Differentiate oppositional behavior from healthy identity expression

• Promote “real” interaction in a virtual world
• Facilitate flexibility by reducing device dependent behavior
• Neutralize perfectionistic worry to combat outcome certainty
• Reduce fears around healthy risk taking

• Dealing with fallout of social media and cyber harassment
• Reframe devaluing self-talk from negative online comparison
• Mood-management and preventing isolation
• Reduce desensitized views of self-harming thoughts/behaviors

• Social media boundaries to reduce impulsivity and negative consequences
• Device management to reduce distraction
• Self-structuring for time blindness
• “Appointment-Making” for better follow through

• Social coaching to reduce “passing as neurotypical” stress
• Brain-based, self-regulation strategies to manage overstimulation
• Foster flexible self-view around gender identity and sexuality
• Healthy routines to promote friendship, productivity and fun

• Teach tools for long-term resilience and self-advocacy
• Determine need for other professional services
• Advance healthy development in future generations
• Research findings and limitations

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• School Psychologists
• Physicians
• Art Therapists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Educators
• Addiction Counselors

This workshop is intended for professionals working with clients 15-25.