Building Hope and Resiliency in Children Affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Description: Mental health counselors are influential in the identification and support of children affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs are experienced across the developmental lifespan and impact early brain growth, client well-being, and resiliency. This presentation will investigate ACEs and their impact on children and explore attachment-based counseling strategies to identify, support, and promote the overall success of clients who have experienced ACEs. This presentation will explore the foundational principles of hope and resiliency as they relate to increased secure attachment, which can have a significant impact by helping children overcome the barriers associated with a trauma-filled past.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-839808

This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

Learning Objectives:

1. Mental health counselors will be able to describe Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impacts on early brain growth, client well-being, and resiliency.

2. Mental health counselors will be able to discuss the foundational principles of hope and resilience and the significance of increased secure attachment in helping children overcome the barriers associated with a trauma filled past.

3. Mental health counselors will be able to apply counseling strategies in order to identify, support, and promote the overall success of children who have experienced Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs).

About the Presenter:

Dr. Kristy Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in clinical supervision and counseling research. She is a counselor educator and supervisor, serving as a core faculty member in Liberty University’s CACREP accredited Counselor Education and Family Studies program. She has over 20 years of clinical experience that includes private practice, managed care, and community-based care. Dr. Ford’s research has focused on trauma-based interventions, attachment-based treatments, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and religious accommodation in mindfulness practice, and she has presented research findings at multiple international, national, and regional conferences.

Dr. Summer Perhay Kuba has diverse counseling experience working with children/students ranging from toddlerhood to the college level. She has provided therapeutic services to children in a residential shelter for abused children, has experience working with adolescents in a residential and outpatient drug treatment facility, and spent time as an advocate for the Juvenile Division of the Florida State Attorney’s Office where she supported victims of violent crimes. As a school counselor, she focused specifically on elementary and middle school students and also has experience as the Social and Emotional Coordinator for a K-8 school. In addition, Dr. Kuba served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Florida School Counselor Association in 2016 and continues to serve as their advocacy chair. Dr. Kuba actively presents at state and national conferences and continues to seek out opportunities to advocate for students, school counselors, and the profession as a whole.