This 90-minute presentation will provide in-depth information surrounding adolescent co-occurring disorders, including the presence and interaction of mental illness and substance use disorders. Attendees will be able to recognize signs of these conditions and behavioral presentation. You will learn about the circular impact that mental health and substance abuse have on each other and various intervention strategies. Time will be spent reviewing a case study to apply your learning from this presentation to a real case.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the signs and symptoms of common adolescent substance use disorders, including vaping, and mental health conditions
• Identify risk and protective factors for mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring conditions
• Discuss the circular impact that mental health and substance abuse have on each other
• Learn behavioral identifiers for these conditions and discuss ways to increase protective factors

Trainer: Emily Althoff, LPCC, LMAC

Emily Althoff is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Master Addiction Counselor in North Dakota and the owner of Althoff Therapy Services PLLC. She holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and a Master of Public Administration from University of Mary. She has worked with youth and families for over ten years. Emily has found her passion in working through caregivers to improve the lives of the youth she serves.

As a mother herself and having experienced substance abuse and mental illness within her family, Emily believes in providing the quality of service to her clients that she would want for her own family. Her personal self-care activities include playing at the park with her kids, lounging on the patio with her husband, cooking a super high-calorie breakfast, or binge-watching reality TV.