Understanding Child Neglect

Nicole A. Sciarrino, MA, MS is a Trauma Psychology Intern at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center and a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Ms. Sciarrino worked as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York State, where she worked with individuals with co-occurring substance use and trauma-related disorders. Her clinical and research interests include the treatment of individuals with a history of trauma, specifically those with a history of prolonged childhood sexual abuse, childhood neglect, and military trauma. Tyler Elizabeth Hernandez, MS is a Psychology Intern at Henderson Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit and a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University. Clinically, Ms. Hernandez has an interest in working with survivors of prolonged childhood physical and sexual abuse and neglect, long term mental illness, and personality disorders. Additionally, has pursued research endeavors examining peripartum depression, attachment, and breastfeeding. Jennifer Davidtz, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the department of Clinical and School Psychology and the Director of Internship Training for the Psychology Services Center at Nova Southeastern University. She completed doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, followed by a pre-doctoral internship at The Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School and post-doctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Her interests include community mental health; the treatment of long-term mental illness, borderline personality disorder, and complex trauma; clinical psychology training; countertransference and other intersubjective psychotherapy process phenomena; and psychotherapy integration.

Introduction.- The Effect of Childhood Neglect on Neurological Development.- Neglect and Attachment Insecurity.- The Sequelae of Neglect.- Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment.- Clinical Case Examples.- Unveiling Covert Abuse.