Understanding Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

Course Description:
Anxiety in children and adolescents is an increasing trend and its impacts reach across all areas of functioning. Understanding and identifying signs and symptoms of anxiety across multiple environments will be explored, as well as reviewing the DSM-V criteria for anxiety in children and adolescents. Lastly, interventions and treatment options will be a major emphasis in an effort to provide caregivers and others working with the child/adolescent practical tips to increase functioning and provide support. This presentation will be appropriate for a wide audience including parents, teachers, social services providers, child advocacy workers, child welfare professionals, mental health professionals and medical providers.

Learning Objectives:

1. The participant will be able to identify signs and symptoms of anxiety in children and adolescents.

2. The participant will increase their understanding of the current DSM-V criteria for anxiety specifically in children and adolescents.
3. The participant will increase their knowledge of treatment options for children and adolescents experiencing and coping with anxiety.
4. The participant will be able to practice practical tips and helpful interventions used to support increased functioning and provide support across multiple settings.

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Our Presenter: Staci Smock, LSCSW

Staci Smock is a Licensed Specialized Clinical Social Worker. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wyoming before completing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Kansas in 1998. After completing her MSW, Staci served for six years as the Social Worker for the inpatient Geropsychiatric Unit at Geary Community Hospital. Staci then worked for eight years as a Program Manager in Behavioral Health at Mercy Regional Health Center overseeing an intensive outpatient mental health program. Prior to joining Katie’s Way, Staci worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital Outpatient Clinic in Junction City and Topeka providing therapy for Veterans dealing with issues including depression/anxiety, trauma, relationship issues and substance abuse. She is skilled in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Solution Focused Brief-Therapy (SFBT). Most recently, Staci has been trained in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for treating trauma (including sexual related trauma) in children and adolescents.  Staci primarily serves teenage and young adult population at Katie’s Way and specializes in mood disorders, anxiety/panic disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders, adjustment disorders and family conflict. 

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Continuing education credit for this event is co-sponsored by Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center and Via Christi Hospital-Manhattan. Continuing education (CE) credit is awarded at the completion of the workshop. No partial credit is available.

Via Christi Hospital is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 2 contact hours applicable for RN or LPN relicensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing Provider #LT0065-0716.

This course offering is approved by Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center for 2.0 contact hours applicable for SW licensure through the Kansas BSRB.

*This event is being funded, in part, by The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

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