Course Description

Continuing Education Hours: 5

Join Crystal Krueger, DBH, LMFT, CCTSF in understanding that families with adoptive and foster children sometimes struggle to understand and support their children because these children react differently than biological children and the problem behaviors they exhibit do not fit the experience of the fostering or adopting parents. Many children that desperately need to experience safety, connection, and strong cohesive relationships struggle with behaviors that make those things difficult to achieve. Many have experienced significant trauma prior to their current foster placement that has created adaptive behaviors that were protective in nature in the child's past but that are now seen as intentionally provocative and willful behaviors. This training will help participants understand why many of these children may view and react to people and events in ways that may seem unusual, exaggerated, or irrational. Recent advances in developmental science are revealing how significant adversity in childhood alters both the way the genome is expressed and the developing brain is wired and this training is designed to help the participant not only understand the function of the problematic behaviors, but how to begin helping the child and the parents achieve the connection that will help the child heal.

Learning Objectives

  • Define and recognize the various causes of trauma.

  • Explain the basic neurobiology of trauma.

  • Identify the Levels of Safety.

  • Understand the function of problematic behaviors.

  • Identify Negative Belief Systems and ways to increase attachment and connection.

  • Establish key resiliency factors.

  • Differentiate toxic environment types.

  • Recognize the link between environment, interactions, and stress.

  • Identify the Neurosequential model and various connecting strategies.

  • Implement connecting strategies to manage behavior.

Course Instructor

Crystal Krueger

DBH, LMFT, CCTSF

Crystal is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has passionately helped families move from surviving after trauma to finding post-traumatic growth. Crystal graduated from Ottawa University in 2013 and has since enjoy helping families and individuals understand the impact of trauma and find resiliency and healing. She attended Arizona State University where she received a Doctorate in Behavioral Health in 2021. Crystal is a Certified EMDR therapist and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is trained in Somatic Experiencing, Forward Facing Trauma Therapy, Sand Tray Play Therapy, and Brainspotting. While she has a strong neurological approach to understanding trauma, she utilizes different modalities of therapy to best fit each individual. She is honored to walk alongside families and individuals as they find empowerment in their healing process. Crystal believes strongly in community awareness and has dedicate time and support to training a variety of fields in the impact of trauma. She has been the keynote speaker at several conferences to support this cause. She has trained nationally to audiences including foster and adoptive families, mental health professionals, law enforcement, attorneys, school staff and board members, and medical staff. In addition, she has published articles in Adoption Today and Foster Families Today. Crystal is accepting clients at Dawn Institute.

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