Partner Event | 2nd Annual Linkage to Care Workshop – Harris County Public Health

Join us from Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the 2nd Annual Linkage to Care Workshop hosted by Harris County Public Health to hear from PHT’s CEO, Drew Dutton, M.Ed., MBA, MAPP, LPC-S, LCDC, ACPS. Drew will be presenting Project Empathy.

Project Empathy is a research-informed, interactive workshop that reframes adolescent addiction through the lens of neuroscience, development, and connection. The session breaks down how the teenage brain processes reward, stress, and decision-making—offering a clear explanation for why adolescents are uniquely wired for risk, bonding, and rapid learning. Participants explore how dopamine, impulse control, and prefrontal cortex development influence substance use patterns and recovery potential. Instead of relying on fear-based or punitive strategies, the workshop demonstrates how empathy and strengths-based communication interrupt shame and increase buy-in. Attendees learn practical ways to use accurate empathy, clarity, and modeling to keep adolescents engaged, even when they appear resistant or ambivalent. The session also challenges common misconceptions in youth treatment, highlighting how outdated models can unintentionally reinforce stigma and shut down communication. Real examples illustrate how to translate brain science into conversations that parents, schools, and youth can actually understand. By the end, participants will have a developmentally informed framework for supporting adolescents that emphasizes possibility, relationship, and long-term resilience.

Please check back for more information on the presentation time and event registration!