Presented by Presenter: Ronald Mah, M.A., Ph.D., L.M.F.T., Don’t make A MESS out of the Talk; Alcohol, drugs, Social Media and etc. addresses the communication missteps both of therapists and parents in having discussions with clients (including but not exclusively with teenagers) about potentially problematic behaviors and life choices. Using the letters: A, M, E, S, S, the training will show how well-intended communications become unintentionally dismissive, off-putting, and cause loss of credibility, resulting in the opposite of desired consequences. And guidance to communicate to promote more credibility and clearer direction.