Providing Treatment to People Who Categorically Deny Their Sexual Offending Behavior
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Individuals convicted of sexual offenses who are mandated to treatment often present with complex clinical, ethical, and motivational challenges. Among the most difficult to engage in meaningful intervention are those who
categorically deny their offenses, requiring clinicians to balance accountability with empathy and effective engagement strategies.
The Rockwood Psychotherapy and Consulting Services program in Ontario developed and implemented an evidence-informed model specifically designed to work with this population, supporting personal growth and reducing risk while maintaining a therapeutic focus on change.
In this training, Dr. Liam Marshall presents the theoretical and practical foundations of the Rockwood program for treating individuals who deny offending. He outlines the key components of the model, discusses characteristics of professionals who are most effective in delivering it, and offers practical strategies for overcoming common barriers to engagement. Participants gain insight into the clinical and ethical complexities inherent in this challenging area of practice.
1) Identify common reasons why people deny crimes that they have, in fact, committed
2) Distinguish between the four qualities of effective professionals who provide treatment to these individuals
3) Explain the factors that increase the risk that a person will be subject to further allegations of abuse
4) Plan and implement treatment exercises that increase the likelihood that the client will more fully participate in treatment
Audience
This training is primarily for professionals involved in the assessment and treatment of individuals who have committed sexual offenses, particularly those mandated to therapy. This includes clinical psychologists, social workers, counselors, probation and parole officers.
Content Level
Disclosure
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc., provider #233, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06/06/2025—06/06/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.
Who's Presenting
Liam Marshall, PhD
Liam has an extensive background encompassing over 20 years as a therapist and consultant in many correctional and mental health facilities. In 2013, Liam joined Waypoint as a researcher in the Research and Academics Division, along with being a clinician in the Provincial Forensic Programs Division (high-secure division). He has conducted research, provided treatment, training, and consulting on offender and offenders with mental health problems for over two decades at several institutions and facilities. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including four books, including, most recently, The Wiley-Blackwell handbook on the assessment, treatment, and theories of sexual offending. Volume: Treatment (John Wiley & Sons), co-edited with Dr. W. L. Marshall. He is a board member and reviewer for many international journals, including Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. He has made numerous international conference presentations on offender and mental health issues regarding sexual behaviours, as well as on anger disorders, domestic violence, and problem gambling. Liam has delivered trainings in over 20 countries for therapists and other staff who work with sexual, violent, and other offenders, as well as offenders with mental health problems. He attained his PhD in Developmental Psychology at Queen’s University in 2010, and has a BA (Hons) and MA, also both from Queen’s.