This presentation will provide an overview of the correlation between substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in adolescence. Discussion will include common co-occurring disorders found in teen populations, the impact of these disorders in treatment, and the challenges of building a service model for substance abusing teens and their families. Assessment tools, intervention strategies, and treatment principles for substance abusing teens and co-occurring disorders will be covered.

Constance Mayer, MFT, is the Director of Outpatient Counseling Services at Adolescent Counseling Services in Palo Alto, providing management and clinical supervision for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program and After-School Counseling Program. Connie holds a BA in Psychology, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University.  Before joining ACS, Constance was the Clinical Director at New Pathways Counseling Center at Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Vallejo, California. Prior to her position at New Pathways, Constance was the Licensed Clinician / Program Leader -- Intensive Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Program at New Connections in Concord, California and also held the position of Adjunct Faculty Member at JFK University – Graduate School of Professional Psychology in Pleasant Hill, California. Additionally, Constance has maintained a private practice in the East Bay for over 20 years.