SEPAC Presentation - Teenagers: What's Normal??

Being a teen is difficult. Being the parent of a teen is difficult.
For a parent of, or a teenager with, developmental, neurological, emotional or learning challenges, however, these years can be downright hard, frustrating and confusing!
What is “normal” adolescent behavior anyway? When should one worry?
How is a parent or student supposed to figure this out?

Please join us as we explore these questions with experts who deal with these conundrums every day! SEPAC welcomes Tricia King & Lisa Kieffer (NSD Mental Health Specialists) to discuss the tasks and stages of typical adolescent development, explain how those tasks and
stages can be made more complex for teens who also face developmental, neurological, emotional and learning challenges, and provide some strategies and resources on how to cope.

Tricia King received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Oregon in 1989 and her Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University in 2005. Her career has included working with adolescents in group homes, with at-risk students under disciplinary action in the Seattle School District, as an elementary school social worker in Seattle and as an educational advocate for youth returning from juvenile incarceration. She served as an outpatient therapist for individual youth and adults and families with Sound Mental Health for several years prior to coming to NSD in August, 2010. Areas of special interest and training include working with students with ADHD and behavioral challenges as well as with individuals who struggle with personality disorders.

Lisa Kieffer graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1989 with a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Services. She earned her Masters of Arts in Education, specializing in Mental Health Counseling, from Seattle University in 1999. She has worked in therapeutic child care with abused and neglected children at Childhaven and as a social worker with Child Protective Services, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) & Head Start. She provided individual and group counseling and case management services to emotionally and behaviorally disordered children and adolescents and their families at Seattle Mental Health.  Lisa has worked as the district's Elementary Mental Health Specialist since 2002.