Traumatized Children: Forced Separation of Immigrant Families

Description

When the parent-child bond is shattered by forced separation, the psychological damage can last a lifetime. This course equips clinicians with the tools to recognize and treat the deep trauma that results when immigration policy disrupts attachment.

Informed by both clinical theory and real-world advocacy, this training invites you to deepen your understanding of attachment trauma in the context of U.S. immigration policy—and learn how to support the recovery and resilience of affected children and families.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, brings over four decades of clinical expertise and a distinguished career in mental health policy to this timely and essential topic. As Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association and a former lobbyist involved in landmark legislation such as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act, Laura offers both clinical insight and policy acumen to this complex issue.

Through a rich integration of attachment theory, clinical case examples, and legislative context, Laura empowers clinicians to assess and treat disordered attachment in children who have experienced forced separation. Her approach emphasizes compassion, ethical practice, and effective therapeutic engagement.

This course explores the stages and styles of attachment, symptoms and subtypes of attachment disorders, the specific consequences of family separation at the U.S. border, and the ethical responsibilities of clinicians working with this population. Participants will gain a deep understanding of both the psychological and systemic dynamics at play—and how to respond with skill and empathy.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize developmental impact: Understand how disrupted attachment in early childhood shapes emotional regulation, trust, and future relationships.

• Implement effective treatment: Apply therapeutic approaches for helping children and families heal from separation trauma and attachment disorders.

• Connect policy to practice: Identify how legislative actions contribute to clinical outcomes and advocate for trauma-informed reforms.

Why This Course?

• Expert-led training: Laura Groshong is uniquely positioned to bridge the clinical and policy dimensions of this issue, providing both depth and practicality.

• Clinically grounded and ethically focused: The course aligns with the Clinical Social Work Association’s Code of Ethics and helps clinicians safeguard their own wellbeing.

• A trusted CE provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is known for delivering exceptional continuing education that meets the evolving needs of behavioral health professionals.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of child-parent bonding through early childhood

• Identify the problems of disordered attachment that occur when children are separated from parents in childhood

• Describe the treatment methods that can help resolve the trauma of disordered attachment

• Explain how legislative policies contribute to attachment disorders

This self-paced 1.5-hour course provides a powerful lens through which to view immigration-related trauma and practical strategies for clinical intervention. Join us in supporting the healing process for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities.

Add this course to your cart to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 1.5 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Laura Groshong, LICSW

Laura Groshong has been in clinical practice for the past 43 years.  She was also a Registered Lobbyist in Washington for five mental health organizations for 25 years.  She has been the Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association nationally since 2006 and, through the Mental Health Liaison Group, worked on passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and many other pieces of legislation that support and benefit LCSWs.  Laura, a dynamic and engaging speaker, has written and lectured extensively on clinical and legislative issues around the country.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 1.5 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/9/2022. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 90 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement