The Neuropsychology of Trauma

The impact of trauma on children has been increasingly well understood in recent years. This includes a better grasp on the impact of a prolonged stress response on the brain and body, impacting physical and mental health. More recently, research has begun to consider the effect of sub-clinical trauma, or adverse childhood events (ACE), on mental and physical health. There is increasing evidence that when the stress system stays “on”, the mental and physical penalties can be severe. This is true for both posttraumatic stress disorder (PtSD) and sub-clinical trauma seen with ACE. 

Dr. Holler will present on the impact of PTSD and ACE (also referred to as Big T and Little T) on neurocognitive functions focusing  primarily on executive control.  Initial review will include a discussion of epi-genetics, brain morphology, and neurotransmitter/hormone systems impacted by trauma. Neuropsychological, psychiatric and behavioral issues, outcomes and resilience will be discussed as well. Dr. Kavanaugh will review recent research completed at Brown University involving the impact of trauma on adolescents and children in inpatient settings.

This event is part of the Bradley Conference Spring 2021 series.

Bradley Conference is designed to provide education for psychologists, social workers, physicians, nurses, certified counselors, speech/language and occupational therapists, teachers, milieu associates, and other professionals who work with children, adolescents or adults.  Topics address different behavioral health populations and treatment modalities and are intended to provide practical, state-of-the-art information.

Bradley Hospital’s clinical expertise, internationally renowned research, and academic affiliation with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University make the hospital a unique resource in all areas of behavioral health care.  We have designed a wide range of learning experiences to provide the training that behavioral health care professionals need to stay at the forefront of their fields.

All sessions in this series will be held via Zoom.

Speakers

 

Karen Holler, PhD is a pediatric neuropsychologist at Bradley Hospital and Butler Hospitals and an associate professor (clinical) of psychiatry and human behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

She completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology (Ph.D.) at the University of Florida and her doctoral internship at the Brown Psychology Training Consortium, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She completed her pediatric neuropsychology fellowship at Bradley Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Holler is currently an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University and a pediatric neuropsychologist at Bradley Hospital and Butler Hospital. Her research and clinical work focuses on neurocognitive dysfunction in childhood, particularly executive functions in childhood psychiatric disorders. More recently, her research has begun to investigate the relationship between executive functions and sub-PTSD trauma including Adverse Childhood Events (ACE).

 

Brian Kavanaugh, PsyD is a pediatric neuropsychologist at Bradley Hospital, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Rhode Island Hospital, and an assistant professor of research, psychiatry and human behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

He completed his doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PsyD) at Antioch University New England and his doctoral internship at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric neuropsychology fellowship at Bradley Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Kavanaugh is currently an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University and a pediatric neuropsychologist at Bradley Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. His research and clinical work focuses on neurocognitive dysfunction in childhood, particularly executive functions in childhood psychiatric disorders.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:

1. Recognize and understand the mental and physical impact of trauma and ACE on children.
2. Describe and understand the impact of trauma and adverse childhood events on neurology including neurotransmitter system hormones, genetics and brain morphology.

Details

• Target audience: psychologists, physicians, social workers and other interested health care professionals
• Instructional level: Intermediate
• 3.0 CE hours/credits (see below)
• To request reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the Rhode Island Hospital CME office at 401-444-4260.  

Registration

• Program fee: $39 
• Online registration closes on Monday, April 12
• Phone registration: Please call the department of behavioral education at 401-606-5753. 
• For refund/cancellation information please email [email protected] or call Alyssa Alba at 401-606-5753.

Register online  

Continuing Education Information

_{This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Rhode Island Hospital and Bradley Hospital.  Rhode Island Hospital is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.}            

_{Rhode Island Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.} 

_{Psychologists: Rhode Island Hospital is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rhode Island Hospital maintains responsibility for this program and its content.}

_{CEUs for this event have been submitted, pending approval by the National Board for Social Work (NASW), designating this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 continuing education credits for certified counselors, marriage and family therapists.}