Program Description:
Early life experiences, particularly within close relationships, play a powerful role in shaping the developing brain and future mental health. This introductory level webinar explores how interpersonal stressors in childhood, such as conflict with parents or peers, influence brain systems involved in social and emotional processing and increase risk for depression in adolescence. Drawing from developmental psychology and emerging neuroscience, this training offers a practical framework for understanding the impact of early life interpersonal stress on brain development and adolescent depression.
Attendees gain insights into how these experiences may present in therapy and how to use this knowledge to inform clinical formulation and support clients more effectively.
Clinical Objectives:
At the close of this presentation, attendees should be able to:
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Apply a developmental lens to understanding adolescent depression in the context of early life interpersonal stress.
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Describe how early life interpersonal stress (e.g., family, peer conflict) influences the development of brain systems involved in social and emotional processing.
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Identify ways in which early life interpersonal stress increases risk for adolescent depression and informs therapeutic case formulation.
Event Details:
CE Information
- 1 CE Contact Hour: For Psychologists in all states, Social Workers in New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and CHES professionals. Many licensing boards accept CE from APA approved sponsors as well as for trainings approved by boards in other jurisdictions. Please review this chart to see whether your state approves CE for this training.
Cost:
- $25 – Individual with CE. *Early Bird $17.50, prior to 7/4/2025
- $20 – Non-CE Participants, CHES professionals and Students.
- Free for ADAA members: The Ross Center, in collaboration with ARC Health, is pleased to provide ADAA members access to continuing education opportunities at no cost.
Registration:
REGISTER HERE for Live Event REGISTER HERE for HOMESTUDY RECORDING: Homestudy materials will be made available approximately 1 week after the live event and will be emailed to registrants at that time.
Agenda: Click here to view
Presented by: Esther Palacios-Barrios, PhD
Dr. Esther Palacios-Barrios is a psychologist dedicated to providing supportive and effective care to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Palacios-Barrios specializes in working with youth and adults facing challenges related to depression, anxiety, OCD, interpersonal and family dynamics, relationship issues, trauma, and identity development, including sexual and gender identity. She also offers parent management training, teaching skills and strategies that reinforce positive behaviors and lead to improved family dynamics and change. She has extensive experience in conducting psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational evaluations. For more information contact: trainings@rosscenter.com 
The Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, LLC, is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Ross Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, LLC, 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-0105. Ross Management Services, LLC 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-0701 There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.