Mental Health through a Brain-Based Lens: Understanding FASD and Neurodiversity in Treatment

This webinar is designed to help mental health clinicians understand the potential impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure on a child’s development, learning, and behavior, as well as the challenges it presents in mental health treatment. The training will cover the primary characteristics and secondary effects of FASD, and how these may influence therapists’ perceptions during treatment. It will address potential challenges with common mental health treatment modalities and the current mental health system. The importance of tailoring treatment plans based on individual brain function profiles will be emphasized, demonstrating how personalized care can improve client outcomes. Trainers will share real-life examples where brain function screening led to successful treatment outcomes.

Participants will be able to:

• Explain what brain function screening is and why it is essential for mental health treatment.
• Better understanding of how brain function impacts behavior.
• Understand the common pitfalls of diagnosing behavior without understanding brain function and
  some of the challenges of the current mental health system.

2 CEs for Florida LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, and CMSW through CE Broker.  Certificates provided for self-reporting.

PRESENTERS:

Tamra Cajo, LCSW – Statewide Director of FASD Services

Tamra Cajo, LCSW is a bilingual, licensed clinical social worker with almost 20 years of experience working in early childhood and prevention. Tamra is the Director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, the only diagnostic clinic in the state of Florida for FASD. She also serves on the Executive Council of FASD United and as a Board Member for FASCETS. Tamra is a certified facilitator in the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, TBRI Practitioner, and was the previous lead trainer in the Midwest for ACT Raising Safe Kids, an evidence-based violence prevention curriculum. In addition, Tamra has been trained in a number of other evidence-based curriculums including Circle of Security Parenting, Families Moving Forward (FMF), Helping the Non-Compliant Child, Chicago Parent Program, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Kristal Pollack, LCSW, Manager of FASD Services – Orlando

Kristal Pollack, LCSW, has been dedicated to working with children, adolescents,and families for over 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida State University and her master’s degree in social work from Florida International University. She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2010. Currently, Kristal serves as the FASD Clinic Manager in Orlando and runs her own private practice, which specializes in a  comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program for children, adolescents, and adults. She is trained in all three of these evidence-based treatments, as well as in adoption competency and as a Families Moving  Forward Specialist.