As clinicians, we work with people impacted by addiction more frequently than we recognize. Some people are actively addicted, others may be partnered with people who experience addiction, and many were raised around addiction. They repeatedly show up in mental health systems and doctors' offices with signs of depression and anxiety; they appear at our family service agencies as struggling parents; and they often seek out a private practitioner due to relationship problems. Frequently, their underlying issues of trauma are not identified or addressed, and the problems continue.

Most people think of trauma as those acute, dramatic scenarios such as acts of terrorism or natural disasters, but most forms of trauma occur in more subtle, chronic forms within families. In this web conference, Dr. Black will begin with a genogram to provide a picture of a family system's multigenerational patterns. She will draw distinctions between the big "T" and little "t" traumas within the addictive family, with the recognition that the behaviors acted out by both the person with addiction and the family member are often a part of their fight, flight, or freeze responses. Acknowledging that negative childhood experiences, emotional abandonment, and blatant violence are all part of the trauma, she will also provide details that clearly link trauma to multiple addictions and co-occurring disorders. Dr. Black will conclude with specific recommendations for the clinician.

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

  1. Recognize the utilization of a genogram;
  2. Identify how fight, flight, and freeze develop as responses to trauma in addictive families;
  3. Describe both big "T" and little "t" traumas that frequently occur in families impacted by addiction;
  4. Discuss the relationship of trauma to multiple addictions and co-occurring disorders.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

How the Web Conference Works

Attendees who register for this event will log in to the web conference center by using a computer and calling in to the teleconference line. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via computer. Live streaming video and/or document sharing will also be available to participants. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions.

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.

This event will include lecture and question-and-answer periods. A recording of the web conference will be available to members in GoodTherapy.org's Continuing Education Archives within two weeks. After the live event, a written transcript of the event will be available in the Member's Area. Members of GoodTherapy.org can receive continuing education credits for attending this event by logging in to the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2019. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive two clinical continuing education clock hours.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

Registration Information

This web conference is available at no cost to GoodTherapy.org members.

Event Reviews from Members

"It is magnificent how Dr. Black developed a thorough explanation of these important topics such as addiction and trauma by using different paradigms." - Cristina Fandino, EdD, MEd

"I have read and used her books in my therapy practice for years. It was a pleasure to finally hear her speak." - Ellen Biros, MS, LCSW

Meet the Presenter

Claudia Black, PhD

Claudia Black, PhD is an internationally known trainer and author recognized for her pioneering work with addiction and family systems. For example, the work she conducted in the late '70s to address the impact of substance abuse on children contributed to the adult-child movement. Dr. Black is a senior fellow and program specialist for Addiction and Trauma at The Meadows Treatment Center in Arizona, and she serves on the Advisory Council of the Moyer Foundation and the Advisory Board for the National Association of Children of Alcoholics. Dr. Black's national awards include the 2012 Robert Rehmar Addiction Professional Award and the 2010 Conway Hunter Award for excellence in the field of addiction.

Dr. Black's workshops have benefited a variety of audiences, from military academies to medical schools, and from prison systems to mental health and addiction programs. Dr. Black is the author of several books, including My Dad Has a Disease, Family Strategies, The Truth Begins with You, and her latest book, Intimate Treason. She has also created a number of CDs and DVDs. For a list of all her self-empowering and professional materials, please visit www.claudiablack.com.