Claudia Black, Ph.D.

Claudia Black’s seminal work with children impacted by substance abuse in the late 1970s created the foundation for the adult children of alcoholics 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 discuss 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 numerous books, most notably "It Will Never Happen to Me," which has 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 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.