- Live Webinar
Why Weed Isn’t Harmless: THC Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Risks, Current Research, and Clinical Strategies
Frances Patterson, PhD, LADAC II, MAC, DAC, QCS.
- Live Webinar
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Thursday, May 28, 2026
10:00 AM ET – 5:30 PM ET
Overview:
The use of high-potency THC in the form of cannabis, vaping, and edibles has increased significantly among adolescents and young adults due to shifting laws, changing social norms, and greater accessibility. This developmental stage poses heightened risks, as THC exposure can disrupt brain development and negatively impact memory, decision-making, emotional regulation, academic performance, social functioning, and long-term mental health.
This 6-hour training reviews current research on the neurological and psychological effects of THC use during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Participants will examine key risk factors, including early initiation, peer influences, family history, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Attention will be given to the role of natural cannabinoids in the brain and the unique vulnerabilities of young people. Clinical considerations will include effective screening tools, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies, as well as prevention and education approaches. The workshop will emphasize evidence-based individual and family interventions and culturally responsive care to address the growing challenges of adolescent and young adult THC use.
Objectives:
- Describe the effects of cannabis and high-potency THC on the developing brain, including impacts on memory, decision-making, emotional regulation, and mental health.
- Identify at least three academic, social, or psychological risks associated with adolescent and young adult THC use.
- Explain research findings on the neurological and psychological consequences of THC use in youth populations.
- Apply diagnostic criteria and evidence-based therapeutic interventions in both individual and family counseling for clients with THC-related concerns.
- List at least three risk factors that increase vulnerability to problematic THC use among adolescents and emerging adults.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides an educational overview of current research on adolescent and young adult THC use, including neurological, psychological, and developmental considerations, as well as evidence-based screening, prevention, and treatment approaches. This training does not provide certification in substance use treatment, adolescent counseling, or medical management, nor does it substitute for formal education, supervised clinical training, or medical decision-making. Participants are encouraged to integrate the material within their professional scope of practice and in accordance with applicable licensure laws, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Frances Patterson maintains a private consulting and clinical supervision practice and receives an honorarium for presenting this continuing education program. No additional products, services, or materials are required for purchase to participate in or complete this course. The presenter has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations that could influence the content of this educational activity.
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Frances Patterson, PhD, LADAC II, MAC, DAC, QCS.
Dr. Frances Patterson received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Alcohol and Drug Education Rehabilitation Program and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University. In addition to being a level 2 licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor in TN, she is a National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) certified Master addiction counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional. She also holds a certification as a Doctoral Addictions Counselor with the National Association of Forensic Counselors. She is certified by the State of TN as a Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Alcohol and Drug licensure. She has worked as a counselor and program administrator in treatment programs in Virginia and Tennessee for almost 35 years, providing clinical supervision for 25 of those years. She is the owner of Footprints Consulting Services, LLC in Nashville, TN. Dr. Patterson provides client education, program consultation, professional training, and clinical supervision. In addition, she currently works part-time at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office where she supervises addiction counselors toward licensure, provides program staff training and assists with program development. Dr. Patterson has conducted professional training locally, statewide and nationally for over 28 years on a variety of topics in addictions, mental health and professional counseling issues. She has extensive experience as a trainer and is skilled in training development. Dr. Patterson is the past chair of NAADAC’s clinical issues committee and a past ethics committee member. She served four years as SE Regional Vice President, is a member of the NAADAC Trainers Academy, and is a trainer for “Trainings by NAADAC.” She received the Middle TN Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (MTAADAC) Professional of the Year award in 2004 and the MTAADAC and TAADAC Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2005. Dr. Patterson received the Mel Schulstad award, NAADAC’s national Professional of the Year award in 2006. For several years, Dr. Patterson has published articles in professional magazines and in 2020, completed her book “The Addiction Supervisor’s Toolbox”. In her spare time, she loves to play and have fun with her husband and family. She enjoys her dogs, knitting, traveling, scuba diving, reading, and Scottish Highland Games and fantasy fairs.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.
Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.
CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
| Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | ||||||
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
| Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
Who This Training is For:
This program is intended for mental health professionals such as Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Addiction Counselors, & MFT’s. Psychologists are encouraged to verify if this specific course meets their board’s approval requirements.
CE Guarantee
If you miss the live event or are dissatisfied with the session, we are happy to offer a course credit transfer to another course of equal CE value
Replay Access
After the live session, we'll send you the recording for your own resource that you can review later at your own pace
Interactive Experience
Enjoy your learning experience with engaging activities such as group discussion, vignettes, roleplaying, video demos, etc.
If you're from Florida, Ohio, or South Carolina, we'll report your CEs to the CE broker
How It Works
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Frequently Asked Questions
Once you register for this training, the course will immediately appear in your account dashboard. Inside, you’ll see a countdown timer. And once the scheduled time arrives, the live session will begin from there!
Of course! If you sign up but miss the live session… The recording will be added to your account Dashboard within 48 hours after the live session with an email notification of instructions. You will also receive home-study CE credits for watching the recording.
Yes, we have limited seating on our live webinars to keep the sessions as interactive & engaged as possible. So be sure to claim your spot before it’s too late!
No. Live webinar attendees are not required to take or pass a quiz to receive a CE certificate. (But yes for recorded webinars). You are required to pass a quiz with an 80% passing grade with 3 attempts only for recorded webinars.
Yes, we are approved Continuing Education providers by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, APA, & many state boards.
Programs that do not qualify for ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, & APA are clearly identified. eCare Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To view all of our board approvals, click here
Live Webinar CE Courses:
- Refunds are only eligible if the refund was requested 48 hours before the scheduled live event.
- If the customer missed the live event, or was unsatisfied from it – We can transfer credits to another course of their choice (with same CE credit amount).
Unlimited CEs for $297/year
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