Diagnosis and Treatment of Adolescent Psychological Concerns in Context

Adolescence is a period of rapid biological, emotional, and social change, during which psychological symptoms often emerge or intensify. This workshop explores common forms of adolescent psychopathology within a broader developmental and systemic context, emphasizing how symptoms are shaped by complex biological, relational, and environmental factors.

Participants will examine frequently presenting concerns in adolescents, including anxiety, depression, behavioral dysregulation, trauma-related symptoms, identity disturbance, and emerging personality features. The workshop will highlight how neurodevelopmental processes, attachment patterns, family dynamics, peer relationships, academic pressures, and sociocultural influences contribute to both risk and resilience during this developmental stage.

Using a systems-informed and developmentally grounded framework, the presentation will help participants move beyond symptom-focused approaches toward more integrated clinical conceptualization. Case examples and practical discussion will illustrate how understanding underlying drivers can improve assessment, intervention planning, and collaboration with families and schools. The workshop is designed to enhance participants’ ability to interpret adolescent symptoms accurately, respond with clinical nuance, and support healthier developmental trajectories.

Participants in this workshop will:

1. Identify the most common psychological symptoms and diagnostic presentations observed in adolescents and differentiate between developmentally normative behaviors and clinically significant concerns.
2. Explain how biological, relational, and environmental stressors—including trauma, attachment disruptions, and sociocultural pressures—contribute to the development and maintenance of adolescent psychological symptoms.
3. Apply a systems-informed framework to conceptualize adolescent psychopathology, integrating family, school, peer, and cultural contexts to inform assessment, intervention, and referral decisions.

Dr. Laurie Heap graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 2001 and completed a year of internal medicine residency. While working with people in the clinical setting, she realized that her calling was to help people in a more holistic way. Over the last 20+ years, Dr. Laurie has been assimilating research from different areas of psychology, behavioral neuroscience, medicine and wellness to develop a unique program to teach people about the underlying mechanisms of happiness needed to live a balanced and thriving life. More recently, she has developed a program to help clinicians harness the power of the parent-child relationship to help improve therapeutic outcomes.

Dr. Todd Bowman received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2008, and has been practicing professional counseling since then. In 2011, he developed the Sexual Addiction Treatment Provider program at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He is an author, and presents nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including sexual health and sexually addictive behavior. Todd is an avid soccer fan and enjoys a good game of golf.

This workshop will be hosted in-person at The Light House at Colonial Presbyterian Church's Overland Park Campus (12501 W 137th St, Overland Park, KS 66221). The Light House is located behind the main church building.

Participants can earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credits in Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment upon completion of the workshop. Certificates of Completion will be provided following the event to everyone who attends the full workshop.

The cost for this workshop is $175.

Please note we will be unable to issue any refunds after 12pm on February 13, 2026. Any refunds will be issued minus Eventbrite's fees.

This workshop is prepared and presented in accordance with Kansas and Missouri licensing and continuing education requirements.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Colonial Presbyterian Church, 12501 West 137th Street, Overland Park, United States

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