San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Monthly Meeting (Virtual)

Our Mission


To Promote Employee Assistance Programs as an effective means of enhancing the well-being and productivity of employees in the workplace, and to facilitate the professional identification of Chapter members and the development of quality Employee Assistance in the San Francisco Bay Area.

January 13, 2026

Nicolette Gottuso, LMFT, MA


Topic:

Post-Pandemic Trends in Adolescent Substance Use


Description

This course examines current findings (2020–2025) on teen mental health and substance use, highlighting the strong link

between co-occurring disorders. It provides up-to-date data on shifts in mental health and substance use (e.g., rise in vaping and

hallucinogens). The presentation emphasizes the acute risk of overdose from contaminated drugs and reviews the continuum of treatment modalities necessary for effective adolescent recovery.

Presentation Schedule:

11:30am-12:00pm - Group Introductions


12:00pm-12:05pm

Introduction & Goals (Setting the Stage)


12:05pm-12:20pm

Topic A: Adolescent Mental Health (Trends in Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide Outcomes)


12:20pm-12:40pm

Topic A: Adolescent Substance Use & Risk (Comparative Data, Shifting Patterns, and Contamination/Overdoes Risk)


12:40pm-12:55pm

Topic B: The Interconnected Link (Co-Occurring Disorders, Self-Medication, and Developmental Risk Factors)


12:55pm-1:15pm

Topic B: Integrated Solutions (The Continuum of Care: IOP, PHP, RTC, Modalities and Evidence-Based Practice)


1:15pm-1:20pm

Summary and Key Takeaways (Reviewing Main Learning Points)


1:20pm-1:30pm

Q&A and Final Evaluation Sign up

Goals:

  1. Understanding Risk and Interconnection. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to explain the complex, bidirectional link between adolescent mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression) and substance use, and identify the key psychosocial and developmental risk factors that drive co-occurring disorders in teens.
  2. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to compare and contrast the structure and key toles of the three main integrated treatment modalities (IOP, PHP, and RTC) for an adolescent with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.


Objectives:

  1. Participants will be able to identify at least three aspects of first responder work life and culture that contribute to poor sleep habits and insomnia
  2. Participants will be able to identify at least three sleep hygiene skills that can help improve the quantity and quality of one's sleep

Bio:

Nicolette Gottuso is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and certified Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor IV Clinical Supervisor (SUDCC IV-CS) with over 12 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She serves as the Clinical Director for the Girls Dual-Diagnosis Residential Program and Program Director for the Intensive Outpatient Program at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services in Petaluma, California.

Since joining Muir Wood in 2020, Nicolette has held a variety of leadership roles, bringing a depth of clinical expertise and innovation to the organization. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of clinical programming, including individual, group, and family therapy, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and clinical decision-making related to admissions and discharges. She supervises a multidisciplinary team of associate therapists, counselors, social workers, and care coordination staff, ensuring high standards of care and professional development.

Nicolette specializes in the treatment of adolescents and young adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Drawing from her background in addiction treatment and personal experience, she developed Muir Wood’s substance use programming from the ground up—creating the curriculum, assessments, and key counseling roles that now serve as a cornerstone of care within the organization.

Prior to her work at Muir Wood, Nicolette provided outpatient therapy and case management to the homeless population in Marin County and delivered in-home behavioral therapy to children and adolescents ages 3 to 17. She brings a compassionate, systems-informed, and client-centered approach to her leadership and clinical work, advocating for integrative, evidence-based care for youth and their families.

Outline:

Topic A. The Evolving Landscape of Adolescent Behavioral Health

  • Main Point 1: Recent Contradictory Tends in Teen Mental Health (Declining MDE & Suicide Attempts vs. High Anxiety & Hopelessness)
  • Main Point 2: Shifting Substance Use Patterns and Acute Risk (Rising Vaping/Hallucinogens and the Danger of Accidental Overdose/Contamination)

Topic B. Integrated Solutions for Co-Occurring Disorders

  • Main Point 1: The Bidirectional Link: Psychosocial and Developmental Factors Driving Co-Occurrence in Teens
  • Main Point 2: Continuum of Integrated Care: Defining the Roles of IOP, PHP, and RTC Modalities

Citations/References:

Child Mind Institute. (2025). Mental health disorders and teen substance use. [Article]. Retrieved from [Source URL for Child Mind Institute, if available, otherwise general organization name]


Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2024, February 6). Recent trends in mental health and substance use concerns among adolescents. [Issue Brief]. Retrieved from

https://www.kff.org/mental-health/recent-trends-in-mental-health-and-substance-use-concerns-among-adolesce nts/


National Governors Association (NGA). (2023, May 8). Youth mental health and substance use. [Policy Publication]. Retrieved from https://www.nga.org/publications/youth-mental-health-and-substance-use/


National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (n.d.). Principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment: A research-based guide. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from [General NIDA URL or relevant guide URL]


Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2025). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP25-07-007, NSDUH Series H-60). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Retrieved from [SAMHSA 2024 NSDUH report URL]


U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, August 5). CDC launches new campaign to address youth substance use and mental health. [Press Release]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdc-launches-new-campaign-to-address-youth-substance-use-

and-mental-health.html

The San Francisco Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs and/or LEPs. The San Francisco Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. The Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.  



The San Francisco Chapter of EAPA can be reached via our website: sfbayeapa.org or by writing us at PO Box 5370 Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Contact us for any needed accommodations or to address any grievances. Our CAMFT Continuing Education Provider Number is 57003.

CE Requirements:

  1. Participants will join the course on time and will remain for the entire presentation. Participants will come prepared to learn and participate openly in discussion
  2. Participants will be required to remain 'camera on' the entire presentation.
  3. Participants will be required to submit the course evaluation form before being sent a CE certificate. Any participant with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this course are invited to share these concerns or requests at info@sfeapa.org as soon as possible.
  4. Registration is required - If you register and cannot attend, please notify EAPA's administration team at info@eapa.org
  5. CE Unit will only be given for instructional time

We welcome you all to Join our Virtual Monthly Presentation you must register by clicking the 'Virtual Registration' box below.



The September 8, 2026, In-Person Registration button will be available in a few months



Once you register you will be sent the Zoom Link

2026 Upcoming Presentations

February 10th - Robert Intveld - EAP Critical Incident Response

March 10th - Joel Fay - Counseling Cops: What You Need to Know about Their Culture, Careers, and Stress

Presentation Announcement...MARK YOUR CALENDARS...The September 8th presentation will by a Hybrid event. The in-person location will be located at 1145 Market St. 2nd Floor, in San Francisco. The topic will be 'Working with Firefighters'. Stay tuned for further information in the coming months