Claudia Black

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 was 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 broke the barrier and openly discussed 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. She is the author of many books, most notably It Will Never Happen to Me, having sold over two million copies. Her latest book is Undaunted Hope: Stories of Healing from Trauma, Depression, and Addictions. Her books are a staple in the education of behavioral healthcare practitioners. Today, she is a Senior Fellow and Clinical Architect of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows in Arizona.