Challenges in Understanding and Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents

Adolescence is a time of numerous physical, emotional, and social changes that correspond to important developmental tasks. Most teens face these tasks successfully; however, others may develop emotional disorders that, if not addressed, may extend into adulthood. In fact, mental disorders represent 16% of the disease burden in people ages 10-19, half of whom start before age 14. Thus, early detection and effective understanding and intervention in adolescent emotional disorders is a responsibility and a necessity. While research and attention to these phenomena is growing, it is also true that some problems are often forgotten and that many therapeutic programs can be even more effective. The proposed symposium includes four presentations in four areas of emotional distress that represent significant challenges: eating disorders, pathological anger, examination anxiety, and social anxiety. Speakers will present comprehension reflections and specific intervention proposals that address these problems in an innovative and challenging way.

Maria do Céu Salvador is a Professor at the University of Coimbra. She teaches Behavioral Models and Cognitive Models, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with children and adolescents, supervises CBT training and master’s and doctoral theses. She belongs to the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the same university, where she investigates social anxiety and anxiety before exams in adolescents and adults, models of understanding, efficacy of treatments, and bridges between second and third generation therapies. She is the clinical director of the Psikontacto clinic, where she also works as a clinical psychologist and supervisor. She teaches in various training programs in Portugal and abroad. She is also accredited as a psychotherapist and supervisor at TCC by the Portuguese Association of Behavioral Therapies.