Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have become a topic of considerable importance during the past 20 years. This workshop with provide an introduction to the concept of ACEs and explore the variety of negative impacts that they appear to have on human functioning. Time will also be spent discussing the importance and process of reducing the impact of ACEs at an early age.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to define and identify Adverse Childhood Experiences
2. Participants will be able to describe the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on long-term functioning
3. Participants will be able to describe effective prevention strategies to ameliorate the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Presenter:

Matt Kliethermes, Ph.D., is the Training Director at Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis (CASGSL) and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Dr. Kliethermes has 20 years of experience and extensive training in the field of child trauma. He provides direct clinical services to youth exposed to trauma, supervises mental health trainees, teaches at the undergraduate level, and provides frequent training and consultation at local, state, and national levels. Dr. Kliethermes is a nationally certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) trainer and the author of multiple book chapters and articles pertaining to TF-CBT and childhood trauma.