Unveiling Trauma: Family-Centered Approaches to Mental Health and Recovery

Dr. Claudia Black has over 40 years of experience in the mental health and addictive disorder field. Claudia Black’s seminal work with children impacted by substance abuse in the late 1970s created the foundation for the adult children of alcoholic’s movement. She would be the first to name the dysfunctional family rules: Don’t Talk, Don’t Trust, Don’t Feel.
She described the phenomena of delayed stress, emotional trauma and the child’s
denial process. She would break the barrier and openly discussed physical and sexual
abuse in the context of families affected by addiction. Claudia is internationally
recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive
disorders. Claudia is the author of many books, most notable It Will Never Happen to
Me, having sold over two million copies. Her latest books are Undaunted Hope: Stories
of Healing from Trauma, Depression and Addictions and Your Recovery, Your Life for
Teens. Her many books are a staple in the education of the behavioral health care
practitioners. Today she is a Senior Fellow and Clinical Architect of the Claudia Black
Young Adult Center at The Meadows in Arizona.

Mike found his passion for helping others through his own healing journey. He began his career supporting adults with complex trauma, PTSD, and addictions. Mike is a Florida Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the IC&RC. He is also a nationally Certified Trauma Professional and a NARM® Practitioner, having assisted in teaching NARM® principles for working with complex trauma to professionals around the world and consulting on their application to adolescent treatment.

Mike currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Family First Adolescent Services, a premier residential treatment center in South Florida. He uses his extensive training in trauma, somatic psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and addiction treatment to develop individual, group, and family programming for clients and families. Additionally, Mike is a national speaker, educator, and consultant on developmental trauma, addiction, and adolescent treatment.

Dr. Zachary Faas is the Vice President of Clinical Services at Intent Clinical and is a licensed psychologist. Dr. Faas earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire and was awarded a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College. Dr. Faas has more than 15 years of experience in the field of behavioral and mental health, practicing on an inpatient psychiatric unit serving adults with chronic mental illness, at outpatient therapy clinics specializing in treatment of trauma and addiction, and at a partial hospital program treating young adults experiencing early psychosis. He also served as the Clinical Director of the Developmental Disability and Brain Injury Services division of a large non-profit agency in Western Massachusetts, overseeing residential and community-based programs. Prior to stepping into his current role at Intent Clinical, Dr. Faas served for 2 years as a forensic psychologist in a court clinic, conducting court-ordered evaluations for Competency to Stand Trial, Criminal Responsibility, and involuntary civil commitment for mental health and substance abuse, and was appointed a Designated Forensic Psychologist by the Department of Mental Health.

Dr. Faas first joined Intent Clinical in 2012, working with clients and collaborating with other members of senior leadership to develop the team and model of service provision. He exited the position at the end of 2014 and rejoined the team in 2021. In his current role, Dr. Faas works closely with individuals, families, advisors, and clinical professionals to provide ongoing consultation and crisis management, address complex dynamics, and develop and implement sustainable and flexible individualized support plans. Additionally, he provides clinical oversight and support to a growing multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health professionals. Dr. Faas employs a collaborative and solution-focused approach to support clients in establishing and working towards their goals, and strongly believes in the power of individuals to effect meaningful and positive change in their lives.