Description
Treating Trauma and Concurrent Substance Use in Adolescents will focus on a new, evidence-based model for treating youth trauma and trauma-related issues and concurrent substance use provides a positive, present-focused approach that differs from traditional addictions models. Youth and young adults who are accessing services for PTSD, ADHD, anxiety or depression may be using substances as a coping strategy, particularly if they have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. Addiction and trauma may not be identified in the initial screening, and this jeopardizes the achievement of treatment goals.
This workshop will explore the intersection of trauma, trauma-related disorder and substance use among adolescents and young adults. It will provide an introduction to the Seeking Safety model (Najavits, 2002), explore its treatment principles and demonstrate the application of some of the 25 different modules in work with youth and young adults in clinical settings.
Participants are encouraged to bring a clinical case, without identifying information, in order to demonstrate how Seeking Safety can be integrated into a trauma informed treatment plan.
Learning Outcomes
- Explore the role of substance use to manage intrusive images, hyperarousal and hypervigilance, dissociation, anxiety, relationship challenges, impulsivity, rage, shame and mood.
- Incorporate substance-specific (alcohol, cannabis, non-medical over the counter and prescribed medication use) information into the clinical decision-making process.
- Determine when to integrate Seeking Safety into the treatment plan and learn how to present this to the client.
- Practice applying one of the three frequently used modules to clinical practice.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is suitable for mental health service providers in Ontario working with young people from diverse populations: urban, suburban, rural, remote, Anglo and Franco-Ontarians, military families, newcomers to Canada, first generation Canadians, Metis and First Nations.
Course Dates & Format
January 29 & 30, 2026
1:00pm – 4:00 pm ET
This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.
Instructor: Stephanie Rabenstein, M.Sc., RMFT, RP
Stephanie Rabenstein is the senior clinician on the trauma team in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Program at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University where she trains medical students and Resident Physicians, social workers and family therapists in trauma informed therapies, as well as in play and family therapy. She is a Registered Psychotherapist and a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor with the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a Certified Play Therapist and Supervisor with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy. Her areas of clinical specialization include complex trauma in children, adolescents and families; persistent complex bereavement disorder in children; working with chronically suicidal adolescents and families of suicide survivors and suicide loss survivors; integration of Indigenous healing and western mental health practices in collaboration with Indigenous clinicians and has published in many of these areas.
Training Fee
Member Fee: $195.00 + $25.35 (HST) = $220.35
Non-Member Fee: $235.00 + $30.55 (HST) = $265.55
Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.
Continuing Education Information
Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.
In-Service
This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.
