Working with Complex Teens
Workshop Duration:Â 2 x 1.5Â hours
Cost:Â $180.00
Are you an Occupational Therapist working with preteens and teens in complex scenarios?
Do you find it challenging to navigate their unique needs while aligning therapy with stakeholder expectations?
Master practical strategies to engage teens, set realistic goals, manage challenges, advocate effectively within the NDIS framework and support their developmental growth in this comprehensive workshop.
Purchase this workshopWhat will you learn?
In this two-part workshop, you will gain practical knowledge and tools to:
- Engage preteens and teens by aligning stakeholder-driven goals with their motivations
- Overcome resistance and build trust through techniques like body doubling and embedding their interests into therapy
- Set realistic, collaborative goals using tools like Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)
- Recognise and manage boundary-testing behaviours while maintaining safety and professionalism
- Apply evidence-based frameworks such as attachment theory and developmental milestones
- Structure reports to advocate effectively for NDIS funding, using standardised assessments to identify disability-related needs
- Support developmental growth by understanding how disabilities affect psychosocial, social and emotional development
Please see below a breakdown of workshop content delivered across two live sessions:
Session 1:Â Foundations of Engaging Complex Teens in TherapyÂ
- Overview of key topics and goals for the workshop
- Engaging Teens: Strategies to align goals with their motivations and build trust
- Setting Realistic Goals: Introduction to GAS and collaborative goal-setting exercises
- Integrating Evidence-Based Frameworks: Overview of attachment theory and developmental milestones
- Wrap-Up and Q&A: Recap key learnings and address questions
Session 2:Â Advanced Application and Advocacy with Complex TeensÂ
- Navigating Challenges: Strategies for managing boundary-testing behaviours and escalating concerns
- Integrating the BRIEF Assessment: Using results to design interventions and structure NDIS reports
- Advocating for NDIS Funding: Aligning reports with reasonable and necessary criteria
- Supporting Developmental Growth: Collaborating with other disciplines for holistic care
- Case Study Application: Interactive exercises to practise intervention and advocacy strategies
- Conclusion and Reflection: Recap both sessions and discuss practical next steps
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed for OTs working with preteens and teens in complex scenarios. Whether you're a new graduate or an experienced clinician, this training will enhance your skills in engaging teens, setting goals and advocating effectively.
Why attend?
In this two-part workshop, you will gain practical knowledge and tools to:
- Gain confidence in engaging teens and overcoming resistance
- Develop skills in collaborative goal-setting using GAS
- Learn evidence-based strategies for managing challenging behaviours
- Enhance your ability to advocate effectively for NDIS funding
- Build a deeper understanding of developmental impacts and multidisciplinary collaboration
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Terms of purchase
Please note that each workshop purchase provides access for one person only. If you would like multiple team members to access this workshop, each person must purchase the workshop seperately.
Intermediate Level
The content of this workshop is suitable for therapists who already have a basic understanding of the topic and some practical experience applying it in clinical practice.
The workshop builds on foundational knowledge and explores more detailed reasoning, application and problem-solving.
Complex Teens Handouts
Gain a practical reference guide to typical adolescent development, the impact of different diagnoses and evidence-informed intervention ideas to help you tailor therapy with confidence
Boundary Setting Framework
Access practical scripts and strategies to confidently manage boundary testing, trauma bonding and challenging behaviours while maintaining a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship.
Cognitive Cue Cards
Use these simple cue cards to help teens break tasks into manageable steps, strengthen executive functioning and build greater independence in everyday activities.
Conversation Cards
Spark meaningful conversations with engaging prompts that help teens explore their thoughts, emotions, strengths and goals while building trust and therapeutic rapport.
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) Guide
Learn how to create meaningful, collaborative goals with practical prompts and strategies that improve engagement and make progress easier to measure.
Included with your workshop in your Verve OT Learning Library
Considering more than one workshop?
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Add them all to your cart and finalise your purchase in one easy step
About the Presenter
Laura McNab is a dedicated community-based Occupational Therapist with 9 years of experience in community work, including 5 years as an OT. She has worked extensively with organizations such as the YMCA and Child Safety, where she developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by preteens and teens. This experience has fueled her passion for supporting young people, particularly in the NDIS space.
Specialising in complex cases, Laura is skilled in using evidence-based approaches to engage teens and preteens, manage challenging behaviours, and align therapy goals with stakeholder priorities. Her expertise includes leveraging frameworks like attachment theory and developmental milestones, integrating standardised assessments such as the BRIEF and the Sensory Profile, and using tools like Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) to ensure measurable progress.
Through this training, Laura aims to empower fellow occupational therapists with advanced strategies for enhancing their practice, advocating effectively within the NDIS framework, and ultimately supporting young people in achieving meaningful participation and independence.
Sign up todayWhat Are Others Saying?
"The frameworks and concepts shared in this workshop were very informative and applicable to practice for what can otherwise be a complex demographic to work with (particularly as an early year clinician). These frameworks were seamlessly connected to how we reflect presenting needs and intervention strategies within NDIS reports."
Eliza C, Occupational Therapist
"Loved the workshop. Very educational for community OT's who work with this population who are just starting out. Really hoping to continue to develop further knowledge in this area."
Kelly F, Occupational Therapist
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Verve OT Learning Workshop Categories
Beginner
Suitable for therapists who are new to the topic area and require foundational knowledge.
The workshop assumes little or no prior experience and focuses on core concepts, terminology, frameworks and practical introductory skills.
Intermediate
Suitable for therapists who already have a basic understanding of the topic and some practical experience applying it in clinical practice.
The workshop builds on foundational knowledge and explores more detailed reasoning, application and problem-solving.
Advanced
Suitable for experienced therapists who are already working in this area regularly.
The workshop assumes strong foundational knowledge and focuses on complex clinical reasoning, nuanced decision-making, advanced application and higher-level practice considerations.
All levels
Suitable for therapists across a range of experience levels.
While some concepts may be more familiar to experienced clinicians, the content is designed to be accessible and valuable regardless of prior knowledge.
