Healing Adolescent Heartbreak: Addressing the Core of Complex Trauma and Addiction

Mike Giresi, CAC, CTP, ICADC, NMP

This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of adolescent mental health and substance use issues from the lens of complex trauma, including evidence-based interventions for assessment, clinical conceptualization, and treatment. Attendees will participate in self-guided, as well as group exercises to practice trauma-informed skills. This presentation will also provide demonstrations on how to apply clinical skills specifically oriented to addressing adaptive patterns of both nervous system dysregulation and shamed-based identity distortions. Attendees will be introduced to specific assessment tools that will aid in their ability to conceptualize complex trauma symptoms and behaviors through the lens of attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and developmental affective neuroscience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the term complex trauma

2. Describe the impact of early attachment, relational, and developmental trauma on adolescent mental health

3. Identify complex trauma themes that underly symptoms and behaviors associated with (chemical and behavioral) addictive processes

2.0 General CEU Hours

Mike Giresi, CAC, CTP, ICADC, NMP
Chief Development Officer
Family First Adolescent Services

Mike found his passion for helping others through his own journey of healing and recovery. He started his career in the mental health field working with adult clients who suffered from complex trauma and PTSD, as well as chemical and process addictions. He has since traveled to India to study and become certified in Yoga and Meditation. Mike is a Florida Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Mike is also a nationally Certified Trauma Professional through Spirit2Spirit Trauma Healing and a NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) Practitioner. 

In addition, Mike is a national speaker and educator on the topics of developmental trauma, addiction, and adolescent treatment. Mike utilizes his extensive training and experience in the field of trauma, somatic psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and addiction treatment to inform the creation of individual, group, and family programming for our clients and their loved ones at Family First. 

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