Continuing Education Center

The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) is an actuarial risk assessment tool used to assess the likelihood of adults with histories of assaulting an intimate partner re-offending in the future. It is designed to be used by police, victim services, health care, and correctional agencies as well as professionals such as psychologists and other professionals who conduct risk assessments and provide treatment planning for domestic violence programs. In this training, Dr. Hilton and Ms. Gotch (as trainer in training) review the development, scoring, and interpretation of the ODARA. This includes an overview of validation and calibration studies by Dr. Hilton and by independent researchers. The trainers discuss the applicability of the ODARA for assessment of risk for future intimate partner violence (IPV) recidivism in men and women with a history of physical IPV offending. They go on to cover risk communication methods and use of the ODARA in criminal justice and victim service settings.

With the increasing occurrence of adult autism diagnoses, there is a growing need for evaluators, treatment providers, and parole and probation officers with the skills to work with this population. Presenter Tiffany Looney MS, LPC, CCSOT developed this training to address the gaps in our understanding of autism spectrum disorder and their implications for clinical and supervisory practices.

In this training, participants develop an understanding of the neurobiological differences of the autistic brain, the social model of disability, and what it means to be neurodiversity-affirming. Ms. Looney discusses reasons why autistic persons sexually offend, how their reasons may differ from those of their non-autistic peers, and how this impacts our understanding of risk, treatment needs, and effective supervision of these clients. She further describes key areas of autistic functioning, differentiating between autistic meltdown, shutdown, and burnout, as well as other effects of autism on mental and physical health, executive and adaptive functioning, and sensory processing.

In this training, Certified Trainer Katie Gotch provides a thorough overview of the Static-99R, including its development, scoring system, and application in various settings. Participants learn how to score each of the ten items, with scores ranging from -3 to 12, and understand how these scores categorize individuals into five distinct risk levels: very low, below average, average, above average, and well above average risk.

The training also covers the predictive validity of the Static-99R and its appropriate use in forensic settings. Case studies are utilized to enhance understanding and facilitate skill development throughout the training.

In this training, Certified Trainer Katie Gotch provides a thorough overview of the Static-99R, including its development, scoring system, and application in various settings. Participants learn how to score each of the ten items, with scores ranging from -3 to 12, and understand how these scores categorize individuals into five distinct risk levels: very low, below average, average, above average, and well above average risk.

The training also covers the predictive validity of the Static-99R and its appropriate use in forensic settings. Case studies are utilized to enhance understanding and facilitate skill development throughout the training.

During this eight-hour training, Katie Gotch, LPC, CCSOT, ATSA-F, provides an overview of the development and research of the STABLE-2007 and ACUTE-2007 instruments. She explains how to score each of the measures’ items, as well as their appropriate interpretation and use within varying settings. This includes recent guidance on the use of these tools with individuals convicted of child sexual abuse material-related offenses (CSAM). To enhance learning, case studies are incorporated to provide hands-on practice and to address common scoring and administration errors.

During this eight-hour training, Katie Gotch, LPC, CCSOT, ATSA-F, provides an overview of the development and research of the STABLE-2007 and ACUTE-2007 instruments. She explains how to score each of the measures’ items, as well as their appropriate interpretation and use within varying settings. This includes recent guidance on the use of these tools with individuals convicted of child sexual abuse material-related offenses (CSAM). To enhance learning, case studies are incorporated to provide hands-on practice and to address common scoring and administration errors.

Individuals within the criminal justice system exhibit rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) up to five times higher than those in the general population. During this training, Dr. Piché reviews the often-startling research into ADHD, specifically focusing on people who have sexually abused and are otherwise involved in the legal system. She offers solutions to the diagnostic challenges clinicians face when attempting to understand their clients. Dr. Piché also reviews common problems that occur at the crossroads of ADHD and sexuality.

Developing comprehensive safety plans for people at risk of suicide is a vital clinical skill. However, the skill is rarely a focus of professional development efforts. This training addresses this gap by introducing the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) (Stanley & Brown, 2012). The SPI is a brief, collaborative intervention that employs the identification of personalized strategies to aid in the prevention of escalation of suicidal crisis. With discussions and demonstrations enhancing his lecture, presenter Mark Margolis instructs attendees on the effective use of SPI as a suicide prevention intervention with at-risk clients.

In this training, Drs. Kruh and Cruise explain how the risk assessments of the past have evolved into comprehensive, structured methods for understanding and explaining a youth’s potential for harmful behavior. Narrative risk formulations are a key component of assessment and management in mental health and criminal justice settings.

Conducting interviews for the purpose of risk assessment can be akin to learning a new language. Newer members of the profession can often feel uncomfortable and even clumsy when conducting risk assessment interviews. Becoming more effective at this type of interviewing requires practice and repetition. Determining what information is relevant and utilizing the right process to obtain it can make the difference between an effective and ineffective assessment, particularly when examining dynamic risk.

In this training, Dr. Griffith and Mr. Wescott explore the elements of effective clinical interviews and the characteristics of the interviewer.

Dr. Chris Huffine, the Executive Director of Allies in Change, developed this training to provide an overview of intimate partner abuse. During this training, he explores the nuances of domestic violence, including an overview of the nature of domestic violence, an analysis of underlying causes of domestic violence, differentiation between common hurtful behaviors and abuse, and more.

Throughout the training, Dr. Huffine defines terms and provides accessible ways of understanding important concepts, such as the belief systems underlying domestic violence and the complex reasons why partners often remain in abusive relationships. Dr. Huffine then outlines effective approaches to addressing domestic violence while highlighting interventions that have proven ineffective. This training ensures participants gain a well-rounded understanding of this critical issue.

When sexual abuse among siblings occurs, parents and other caregivers often become flooded with emotions such as anger, shame, sadness, fear, confusion, disbelief, regret, helplessness, and self-blame. These feelings make it difficult for parents to determine how best to support both of their children. While research and conferences have begun addressing the treatment of families impacted by sibling abuse, there remains a significant lack of resources specifically tailored to guiding parents as they navigate their way through these complex situations.

Up to 50 % of sex-trafficked youths are male, yet they often remain overlooked in human trafficking cases. This under-recognition leads to inadequate support and identification, resulting in many male survivors not receiving the help they need. In this training, Nathan LaChine addresses this critical issue by focusing on what professionals need to know about working with males who have been trafficked in a key type of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC): the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) industry, formerly known as child pornography.

In this training, John Henden outlines various SFT techniques designed to address the six common areas of trauma aftereffects. The techniques have proven effective and transferable across many severe trauma and stress areas, including sexual violence; sudden death, mass shootings, terrorist incidents, military combat, and road accidents. During the presentation, Henden discusses specific tools and techniques that can be introduced to clients as part of the therapeutic process.

In this training, Amanda Pryor explores methods and techniques for engaging families experiencing these challenges, while also addressing the professionals’ own feelings of being overwhelmed. This includes how to carefully redefine one’s approach when previous providers have not been helpful, such as by shifting from interventions that may unintentionally target parents to more inclusive family support methods.