Continuing Education Center

Despite decades of progress in evaluating and treating both adults and adolescents who have sexually abused, working with “emerging adults” can often be less clear. These clients are typically young men between the ages of 18 and 25—in some cases, it includes individuals in their late twenties—who are developmentally between adolescence and adulthood. They often do not “quite fit” into either category. This lack of fit is especially apparent in their living situation or placement logistics and the assessment tools and treatment modalities commonly used with this population. In many cases, clients who are now considered by the courts to be legally adults were adolescents when their abusive actions took place.

Dr. Waltrip and Dr. Leslie are both experts in evaluation and treatment, with experience across diverse practice settings in the United States. In this training, they focus on how professionals can best understand, assess, and treat emerging adults. This includes the similarities and differences they share with justice-involved adolescents and adults.

In these Our Safe Haven sessions, we invite you to join Steven Sawyer and David Prescott to explore the complexities of group intervention, from addressing denial and minimization to managing difficult group dynamics and safeguarding the wellbeing of clinicians. Each session begins with a focused theme, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights.

Evaluations of adolescents with problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) often focus on future risk and recidivism, consistent with the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model. However, the low base rate of known sexual re-offense and moderate effect size of risk tools limit the accuracy of these assessments. Further, youths with PSB are still very much “works in progress.” Their abilities to anticipate consequences, solve problems effectively, and apply prosocial reasoning are still developing. Therefore, additional assessment methods may help professionals identify the most relevant risk factors and support the establishment of appropriate treatment goals.

In this training, Dr. Norbert Ralph presents a developmental model for adolescent assessment, emphasizing factors that disrupt normative, prosocial psychosexual development and highlighting treatable conditions that can reduce risk for repeating problem sexual behaviors.

Working in the field of sexual and social violence prevention is challenging, and navigating disabilities can make it even more complex. Whether the disability is visible or unseen, the realities of managing personal health, professional responsibilities, and social expectations can be both exhausting and, at times, isolating.

Led by Katie Gotch, a clinical professional with lived experience of disability, and David Prescott, a mental health practitioner in the field for four decades, these sessions offer a safe, non-judgmental space to connect, share, and build strategies that can make a meaningful impact on our day-to-day challenges. Each session begins with a focused exploration of a specific topic, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights.

ndividuals with marginalized sexual orientations and/or sexual identities (MOGI) encounter numerous interrelated challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and violence in social, educational, and professional environments; heightened risk of mental health issues due to social isolation and abuse; barriers to accessing vital health and support services; and rejection from families or communities, often resulting in homelessness and further marginalization. These challenges are compounded by cultural misunderstandings, intersecting forms of exclusion, and gaps in societal and institutional support. Addressing them requires a collective effort to advance inclusion, equity, and community acceptance for people of all MOGI, ensuring their dignity and rights are respected and upheld.

In response to these realities, we invite those supporting MOGI-diverse individuals and members of their communities to join us for this series of professional dialogues moderated by Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., and David Prescott. Created to foster meaningful and respectful conversations, these sessions provide a space for professionals to openly explore the challenges faced by individuals with diverse MOGIE. Through shared experiences, expert insights, and practical guidance, attendees will gain strategies to strengthen advocacy, promote inclusive practices, and build effective allyship—helping to foster environments where all people can live authentically and thrive.

Working in the field of sexual and social violence prevention is challenging, and navigating disabilities can make it even more complex. Whether the disability is visible or unseen, the realities of managing personal health, professional responsibilities, and social expectations can be both exhausting and, at times, isolating.

Led by Katie Gotch, a clinical professional with lived experience of disability, and David Prescott, a mental health practitioner in the field for four decades, these sessions offer a safe, non-judgmental space to connect, share, and build strategies that can make a meaningful impact on our day-to-day challenges. Each session begins with a focused exploration of a specific topic, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights.

In these Our Safe Haven sessions, we invite you to join Steven Sawyer and David Prescott to explore the complexities of group intervention, from addressing denial and minimization to managing difficult group dynamics and safeguarding the wellbeing of clinicians. Each session begins with a focused theme, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights.

ndividuals with marginalized sexual orientations and/or sexual identities (MOGI) encounter numerous interrelated challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and violence in social, educational, and professional environments; heightened risk of mental health issues due to social isolation and abuse; barriers to accessing vital health and support services; and rejection from families or communities, often resulting in homelessness and further marginalization. These challenges are compounded by cultural misunderstandings, intersecting forms of exclusion, and gaps in societal and institutional support. Addressing them requires a collective effort to advance inclusion, equity, and community acceptance for people of all MOGI, ensuring their dignity and rights are respected and upheld.

In response to these realities, we invite those supporting MOGI-diverse individuals and members of their communities to join us for this series of professional dialogues moderated by Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., and David Prescott. Created to foster meaningful and respectful conversations, these sessions provide a space for professionals to openly explore the challenges faced by individuals with diverse MOGIE. Through shared experiences, expert insights, and practical guidance, attendees will gain strategies to strengthen advocacy, promote inclusive practices, and build effective allyship—helping to foster environments where all people can live authentically and thrive.

The Becoming Who I Want to Be workbooks for young men and women were designed for professionals working with youths with problematic behaviors toward others. Designed to be approachable and interactive, the workbooks engage clients whose adverse childhood experiences and problem behaviors have caused them to fall behind academically, socially, and emotionally. Based on the Good Lives Model (GLM), the workbook translates complex theory into practical strategies for treatment settings.

This training shows participants how to effectively integrate the workbooks into their therapeutic practice. Presenter and author David Prescott begins the training by reviewing the core principles of the GLM. He then offers ideas for how clinicians and counselors can use each section. Central to this training is its focus on dovetailing the GLM and these workbooks with Motivational Interviewing skills and the principles of Trauma-Informed Care, ensuring that intervention is not only effective but also client-centered and deeply supportive.

In these Our Safe Haven sessions, we invite you to join Steven Sawyer and David Prescott to explore the complexities of group intervention, from addressing denial and minimization to managing difficult group dynamics and safeguarding the wellbeing of clinicians. Each session begins with a focused theme, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights.

In this Our Safe Haven, we invite you to join Robin Cooper and David Prescott to explore how personal and professional beliefs about sexuality influence our work, client relationships, and the broader field. Each session begins with a focused review of how sexuality beliefs influence professional practice, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights: Session 02: Let’s Talk Gender Dynamics in Clinical Settings - Explore the intersections of gender roles, expectations, and power dynamics in therapeutic work. Share strategies to build greater awareness and equity in clinical relationships.

In this Our Safe Haven, we invite you to join Robin Cooper and David Prescott to explore how personal and professional beliefs about sexuality influence our work, client relationships, and the broader field. Each session begins with a focused review of how sexuality beliefs influence professional practice, evolving naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and professional insights: Session 03: Let’s Talk Managing Transference and Boundaries: Discuss how clients may unconsciously project feelings from past relationships onto professionals and explore strategies for recognizing these patterns, maintaining healthy boundaries, and supporting effective treatment.

The “Stressors and Motivators Among Professionals Treating Clients Who Have Sexually Abused” survey, conducted by Safer Society Foundation, examines how stressors and motivators shape the professional experiences of those working with individuals with histories of sexual abuse towards others. The survey responded to growing concerns about workforce sustainability and the need to highlight not only the challenges of this work, but also the powerful sources of meaning and satisfaction that sustain professionals in the field. Among its key findings, the survey revealed that while burnout and professional strain remain widespread, respondents emphasized that profound personal rewards play a critical role in fostering resilience and job satisfaction.​

In this webinar, the survey’s authors—David S. Prescott, Stacey Zolondek Ginesin, & Sarah Snow Haskell—guide a discussion into the findings, exploring how stress and motivation intersect in professional practice.