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From Behavior to Meaning: Developmentally, Neurobiologically, and Socially Attuned Care for Adolescents

Tuesday, July 28th, 2026   10:00 AM EDT -1:00 PM EDT
Neerja Singh, LICSW, LADC
$59.99 USD

Adolescent mental health is often approached through symptom management and behavior correction, yet adolescence is a period of profound neurodevelopment, identity formation, and relational reorganization. When clinicians interpret youth behavior outside this developmental context, common adolescent experiences—such as withdrawal, emotional intensity, or defiance—can be misread as pathology rather than communication of developmental tension. 

 

This training introduces a developmentally, neurobiologically, and relationally attuned framework for understanding adolescent behavior. Drawing from developmental psychology, adolescent brain science, relational psychodynamic practice, and social determinants of health, the presentation reframes internalizing and externalizing behaviors as expressions of identity formation, shame protection, belonging needs, and autonomy negotiation.

 3 hours

About the Presenter

Neerja Singh, PhD, LICSW, LADC, is a behavioral health leader, clinician, educator, and 2023 Bush Fellow whose work focuses on rehumanizing mental health systems through developmentally informed, relational, and culturally responsive care. She serves as Area Manager for Children’s Mental Health in Hennepin County, Minnesota, where she leads system initiatives that strengthen youth and family mental health services across community and public systems. Dr. Singh teaches graduate social work courses and provides clinical training nationally on adolescent development, trauma-responsive practice, and reflective supervision.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe key developmental and neurobiological processes that influence adolescent emotional regulation, identity formation, and behavior in clinical settings.
  2. Apply a developmentally and relationally attuned framework to interpret adolescent behaviors such as withdrawal, defiance, or emotional intensity within their developmental and social context.
  3. Implement clinical and supervision strategies that support developmentally attuned, culturally responsive, and neurobiologically informed care when working with adolescents and their families.

Agenda:

15 Minutes | Welcome and Orientation

Overview of training goals, framework, and reflection activity on challenges in adolescent

clinical work.

35 Minutes | Foundations of Adolescent Development

Developmental tensions in adolescence including autonomy, identity formation, peer

belonging, and shame sensitivity.

30 Minutes | Understanding the Adolescent Brain

Neurodevelopment during adolescence, limbic activation, executive functioning

development, and implications for therapy.

25 Minutes | Interpreting Behavior Through a Developmental Lens

Understanding internalizing vs. externalizing behaviors and shame defenses through

case analysis.

15 Minutes| Identity Formation and Cultural Context

Exploration of culture, identity development, and social determinants shaping adolescent

mental health.

20 Minutes | Developmentally Attuned Clinical Interventions

Strategies for co-regulation, protecting dignity, and responding to resistance in therapy.

20 Minutes | Developmentally Attuned Supervision

Reflective supervision questions and strategies for supporting clinicians working with adolescents.

20 Minutes| Closing Reflection and Questions

Participants identify key insights and clinical applications.

This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.