

Working with adolescents requires adaptive, developmentally appropriate approaches that balance clinical goals with the unique challenges of the teen years. Creative Interventions with Teens is an experiential and informational training designed to equip therapists with practical tools and techniques for engaging adolescent clients in meaningful, effective therapy.
This training will explore strategies for assessing a teen’s readiness for therapy, determining appropriate levels of parental involvement, and establishing strong therapeutic rapport. Emphasis will be placed on integrating creative interventions, leveraging client strengths, and aligning techniques with the therapist’s existing modalities.
Participants will reflect on common challenges in working with teens, including factors that may impact the therapeutic relationship. Through hands-on learning, attendees will be introduced to creative interventions that target rapport-building, self-esteem, social relationships, and negative self-talk, all within a trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive framework.
1. Identify key developmental considerations when working with adolescent clients in therapy
2. Assess a teen’s readiness for therapy and determine appropriate levels of parent/caregiver involvement
3. Describe common challenges and complications that may arise in the therapeutic relationship with teens
4. Demonstrate creative interventions for building rapport and increasing client engagement
5. Apply strength-based approaches to support teens in addressing self-esteem, social relationships, and negative cognitions
6. Integrate creative tools and techniques into their existing therapeutic modalities when working with adolescents
• If you register for the Virtual Classroom training, make sure you have a good WIFI connection.
• Your computer will need a camera for you to be visible throughout the entire training to receive the certificate.
• We will be using Zoom for the training; therefore, you will need to download the Zoom program to be able to use the link.
• You will receive three emails from us before the training. The first email will be sent out the week before the training and will include the zoom link, time of the training, and our address. The second email will be sent the beginning of the week in which the training is being held and will include all the information included in the first email plus the materials for the course. The third email will be sent the morning of the training and will include the Zoom link, the posttest (if needed) and the evaluation for the course.
• Your certificate will be emailed after the training, within 5-7 business days upon receiving your evaluation and posttest (if needed).
• While it is rare, there are occasions when we must cancel a training due to low registration. If this occurs, we will notify registered participants by Tuesday evening of the week of the scheduled training. We appreciate your understanding and will provide alternative options at that time.
• Our Live/Virtual trainings are offered in a hybrid format—held live at a physical location and streamed via Zoom at the same time. In-person attendees join the presenter on-site, while virtual participants watch the live training in real time and can fully participate through Zoom.
• Receive in-person contact CE hours
• Enjoy staying in Fort Worth, Texas with hotels within walking distance
• Tour our 7500 square foot counseling practice and continuing education facility
• Build relationships with other participants
• Informal conversations during breaks and lunch with our trainer


Cristina Alvarez joined the Center for Counseling and Family Relationships in 2018. She earned her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Cristina became Licensed as a Professional Counselor in 2018. Cristina is EMDR Trained and is an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist. Her background includes counseling in a private university setting where she helped college students cope and adapt with life transitions and as a crisis counselor for children in schools. She works with adolescents, parents, and adults, specializing in trauma work.
CCFAM Training has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7105. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CCFAM Training is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
This training is non-refundable, unless cancelled by training provider. Event will be cancelled if fewer than 6 participants.