Continuing Education Center

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.