Healing with Play: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Children & Adolescents

This workshop provides an introductory overview of trauma-informed care principles as they apply to working with children and adolescents. Participants will explore how trauma impacts developing brains, behavior, and relationships, and gain tools to recognize trauma responses in youth. The session will also introduce practical, strengths-based strategies to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments across school, clinical, and community settings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define trauma and explain its impact on the emotional, behavioral, and developmental functioning of children and adolescents.

2. Identify signs of trauma responses in young people and common challenges that arise in school or therapeutic settings.

3. Apply core principles of trauma-informed care to promote safety, trust, and resilience in work with children and adolescents.

 About the Presenter:

Presenter: Denise Montgomery, LICSW, LMFT,LCSW-C,RPT-S, CDWF,CCTP-II,CDBT, ADHD-CCSP

Denise Montgomery is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a nationally recognized Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor. Ms. Montgomery has provided clinical services to residents of the District of Columbia and Prince George's County, Maryland for over 20 years. She has worked effectively with agencies that services children, adults, and families. Ms. Montgomery's specialties include working with children who have been exposed to abuse, neglect, or are managing mental health issues. She also works with adults and families who are managing exposure to trauma, sexual assaults, and mental health concerns.