Psychology professor speaks on teens and trauma as part of series

CANTON, Mo. — Angel Knoverek ‘93, an assistant professor of psychology at Culver-Stockton College, recently spoke on “Teens and Trauma: The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Developing Adolescents” as the first part of a three-part virtual series of speakers for professionals serving the Victims of Crime Act in Illinois.

The presentation helped viewers understand adolescent development, including what is normal and what is not normal. The unique needs of teens also was discussed. Emphasis was on identifying traumatic experiences and how these can impact adolescent neurodevelopment resulting in impairments in social, emotional and cognitive functioning. Viewers learned strategies to boost adolescent engagement.

Knoverek’s talk on Wednesday, Sept. 23 was live-streamed in the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center to allow C-SC students to watch. Most members of the virtual audience came from a variety of professional settings, including but not limited to child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, case workers/managers, clinicians and legal counsel.

Knoverek joined the Culver-Stockton faculty in August 2017. She develops and teaches courses on psychology, child and adolescent development, childhood trauma and maltreatment, psychological assessment and counseling. She also serves as an associate faculty to the Complex Trauma Treatment Institute, which provides specialized training around the world, and as the co-chair of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Complex Trauma/Developmental Trauma Disorder Work Group. She is the owner of the Mindshift Center in Quincy, which provides counseling to individuals, couples and families. She previously held a variety of positions at Chaddock in Quincy from 2001 to 2017.

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