ODW Digital Distress with Melissa Westendorf

Led by Melissa Westendorf, JD, PhD

This is an On Demand Webinar. Access information, resources and CEU information will be sent to you shortly after registration and registrants will be given unlimited access to the recording for a full year.

This webinar was broadcasted live on Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Technology addiction is evident all around us: just look around and see how many kids are spending time mindlessly staring at their phones or computer screens. This webinar will explore the effects of technology addiction. You’ll learn how overusing technology can negatively impact children’s brains—structurally and through biochemistry.

After gaining an understanding of these effects, this workshop will break down their manifestation into four distinct areas: behavioural, emotional, interpersonal, and physical. Dr. Westendorf will then offer instructions on the Technology Use Continuum© (TUC), which can be used to assess these four areas. She’ll also provide suggestions on how to course-correct to a healthy use of technology within the family. Finally, Dr. Westendorf will present case examples and discuss technology overuse in individuals with special considerations, such as AD/HD, autism spectrum disorder, and pornography addiction.

The goal of this workshop is to assist mental health professionals in identifying the potential role technology overuse plays in a child’s life. You will learn how to address problems so that a family can return to a healthy balance of technology use.

By the end of this training, attendees will be better able to —

• Describe the impact of technology overuse on a child’s brain.
• Identify four areas in a child’s life most susceptible to technology overuse.
• Discuss several treatment options targeted at addressing a specific area of impact.
• Discuss how technology overuse impacts children with special considerations.

Day 1

This training offers 3 hours of direct contact (not counting breaks or lunch). It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards/regulatory body to verify CE requirements for their license to practice.

For Attendees of On Demand/Recorded Version

If you cannot verify 100% attendance of the Live Broadcast or if you are watching the On Demand/recorded version of this webinar, you will need to complete a Post-Webinar Quiz with a pass of at least 80% in order to verify your attendance. 

For Canadian and International participants

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements, Canadian and international participants will be issued a Certificate of Participation which features:

• Name of Participant
• Title of Training
• Name of Presenter plus their credentials
• Number of hours of training
• Date of training
• Confirmation that you have passed a quiz with at least 80% grade to verify your attendance

Please check carefully with your regulating body/organization that this certificate is sufficient proof for you to claim CEUs.

For general information about Continuing Education for Canadians and International participants, please click here.  

This training is aimed at all mental health professionals including:

• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Clinical and Counselling Psychologists
• Psychiatric Social Workers
• Pastoral Counsellors
• Psychotherapists
• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Occupational Therapists
• Counsellors
• Graduate Students in Accredited Programs in the Above Fields
• case managers
• licensed professional counsellors
• all other professionals who would like to develop, update or expand their skills and knowledge in mental health practices

What level of knowledge the attendee should have in this topic?
– Intermediate/Advanced