Coffee, Conversation & Continuing Education: Tweens, Teens, and AI
With Nina Kaiser, Ph.D., and Laura Zimmerman, Ph.D., October 20, 2026, 9:30-11:00 am
Join us for coffee & conversation between Practice founder and CEO Dr. Nina Kaiser and Dr. Laura Zimmerman, Director of Youth AI Research at Common Sense Media, hosted by Practice San Francisco. Learn about Common Sense Media's recent research on how tweens and teens are using AI and how it is impacting their mental health and well-being.
Attendees will walk away with an up-to-date understanding about AI and mental health in tween and teen populations, as well as practical guidance on how to talk with tweens and teens about AI in clinical practice.
Description
More than 85% of 9- to 17-year-olds have used AI, and more than a third are relying on it for health advice, personal guidance, and emotional support. However, critical gaps remain in how families, schools, and mental health providers navigate this rapidly evolving digital landscape. Join Practice San Francisco Founder and CEO Dr. Nina Kaiser as she sits down with Dr. Laura Zimmerman, Director of Youth AI Research at Common Sense Media, to unpack the organization’s groundbreaking findings on how the rise of AI is impacting tweens and teens across the nation.
Attendees of this session will gain an evidence-based understanding of youth AI engagement patterns, ranging from entertainment and academic tools to personal health queries, future planning, and emotional processing. Key behavioral metrics from Common Sense Media's inaugural census will be explored, including correlations between daily AI use and reported loneliness, indicators of AI dependency, and low rates of adult disclosure when youth encounter age-inappropriate content. Potential underlying mechanisms, such as why one in four youth who discuss personal struggles feel more understood by AI than by people, will also be examined.
A primary focus of this session will be translating population-level research into actionable clinical practice. Attendees will learn specific strategies for screening and evaluating AI engagement without over-pathologizing normative tool use, alongside approaches for fostering meaningful AI literacy. Guidance on equipping parents with tools to initiate safety conversations at home, addressing digital access and equity gaps, and navigating the nuances of AI safety disclosure and referral behaviors will also be discussed.
This one hour workshop is designed for licensed mental health professionals, clinicians, and youth care providers working with children, teens, and families. No prior expertise in AI research or technology-assisted interventions is required. Educators, learning specialists, counselors, and other providers are also welcome!
This event is a professional continuing education workshop hosted by Practice San Francisco.
This event is designed specifically for psychologists, clinical therapists, and mental health professionals seeking to enhance their clinical skills and stay up-to-date with current research.
Educators, learning specialists, counselors, and other providers are also welcome!
This is an introductory level activity offering 1 CE credit.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Nina Kaiser, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Practice San Francisco
Dr. Laura Zimmerman, Ph.D., Director of Youth AI Research at Common Sense Media
At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
Describe empirical findings from national Common Sense Media research regarding youth AI usage patterns, including correlations between daily chatbot use and emotional well-being.
Evaluate the cognitive and social impacts of AI reliance on youth development, including how AI tools affect problem-solving skills, academic engagement, and social communication across diverse developmental profiles.
Utilize at least 2 clinical screening strategies to assess youth AI engagement, distinguishing between adaptive tool use and problematic dependency.
Event Details
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
9:30-11:00 am
Practice San Francisco main location, 2901 Webster Street, SF, CA 94123
CE credits offered: 1 CE credit
Schedule of Events
9:00-9:30: Registration & Sign-In
9:30-10:00: Networking - a light breakfast and beverages will be available (not available for CE credit)
10:00-11:00: Presentation and discussion, followed by a Q&A session and Event Evaluation (1 CE credit).
Cost
This program is offered on a voluntary donation basis. Suggested donation is $25 to support Common Sense Media’s research efforts. Donations are non-refundable. Attendance and CE credit eligibility are open to all registered participants who complete the required course evaluation and self-assessment, and provide receipt of a donation. Only attendees registering to receive the 1 CE credit are required to provide proof of donation.
Requirement for Credit: Participants must attend the educational portion of the event (10:00-11:00 am) and complete an online evaluation form at the conclusion of the session to receive their CE certificate. Partial credit will not be awarded.
Target Audience: This workshop is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level psychologists and mental health clinicians.
Commercial Support & Conflicts of Interest: There is no commercial support for this program, and the speaker has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose.
If you have any questions or require accommodations for a disability, please contact our program coordinator at continuinged@practicesanfrancisco.com.
We look forward to your participation!
Register today!
San Francisco Locations
2901 + 2918 Webster St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
1796 18th Street ,
San Francisco, CA 94107
4112 24th Street,
San Francisco, CA 94114
Mill Valley Location
10 Willow Street, Suite 1,2,3
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Los Angeles Location
627 N Larchmont Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90004