Alexithymia is a subclinical personality trait distinguished by difficulties with the identification and description of one’s own emotional experiences, issues associated with interpersonal relating, and a pre-occupation with externally-oriented thinking. In other words, clients with alexithymia will likely have problems with identifying, understanding, describing, and expressing their emotions, which can cause significant challenges in all facets of life. Although the causal origins are unclear, this trait has been linked to a diverse array of conditions. This includes neurological and psychosomatic disorders, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., autism, depression, anxiety), prenatal disorders (e.g., FASD), and injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injuries). Intended for professionals, this training is designed to increase awareness of alexithymia, including its implications for screening and intervention in mental health and substance use treatment settings. Relevant topics covered will include comorbid psychopathology, trauma and psychological distress, peer victimization, anger, violence, and aggression, intellectual functioning, executive dysfunction, disruptive attachment patterns, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, somatization, parental reflective functioning, emotion regulation, empathy, insight and awareness deficits, social cognition, perspective taking, mentalization, loneliness and social isolation, substance use, and self-harm and suicidality to name a few. Empirically-based research findings and relevant case examples will be discussed throughout this training.
Training Objectives:
1. Identify the symptoms and red flag indicators of alexithymia
2. Discuss the role of alexithymia in co-occurring neurological, psychiatric, and other conditions
3. Explore screening options for alexithymia
4. Consider intervention techniques and approaches for alexithymia
5. Review relevant research findings and discuss implications for mental health and substance use treatment settings
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor, Program Director, and lead developer for the Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health for Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. Jerrod has also been employed with Pathways Counseling Center in St. Paul, Minnesota for the past seventeen years. Pathways provides programs and services benefitting individuals impacted by mental illness and addictions. Through his work at Pathways, Jerrod has extensive experience working with clients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, serious and persistent mental health (SPMI) conditions, trauma and stressor related disorders, substance use and other addictive disorders, sleep disorders, and criminal justice-involved populations. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod is also certified as a Brain Health Coach, Trauma Professional, Compassion Fatigue Professional, Youth Firesetting Prevention/Intervention Specialist, an Anger Resolution Therapist (CART), a Thinking for a Change (T4C) Facilitator, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Trainer, an Autism Specialist, Digestive Health Specialist, Gut Health Specialist, Stress and Mindset Coach, Holistic Health Coach, Sleep Science Coach, Sex Crimes & Relational Paraphilic Attachments (RPA), Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP), and a Problem Gambling Treatment Provider in the state of Minnesota. Jerrod has published numerous articles and book chapters. Email: [email protected]