Do You Speak Teen? Communicating Effectively with Adolescents Through Structured Psychosocial Assessment

The New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is hosting a universal TA session titled, "Do You Speak Teen? Communicating Effectively with Adolescents Through Structured Psychosocial Assessment" with subject matter expert Laura Grubb, MD, MPH. Adolescents often present unique communication challenges for healthcare, behavioral health, and youth-serving professionals. Building trust, maintaining confidentiality, and conducting developmentally appropriate assessments are essential skills for identifying strengths, risk behaviors, and opportunities for early intervention. This webinar will introduce participants to the HEADSSS/SSHADESS psychosocial assessment framework and demonstrate practical strategies for engaging adolescents in conversations about home life, school, substance use, mental health, sexuality, safety, and overall well-being. Participants will learn techniques for conducting strength-based interviews, screening for substance use and other high-risk behaviors, and implementing brief interventions that support healthy adolescent development and informed clinical decision-making.