Neurodevelopment Perspectives in Juveniles Who Sexually Offended

Neuropsychology and brain research have identified developmental changes from ages 10 to 25 related to social judgment and reasoning. These changes are associated with the steep increase in delinquent behaviors, accidents, and sexually harmful behaviors during adolescence. Increased size, strength, and sexual maturity are complemented by an increase in the drive and reward centers of the brain and decreased supervision during adolescence. In summary, the workshop presents relevant research regarding brain development and maturity, indicating that psychosocial immaturity in adolescence is a significant risk factor for general delinquency and harmful sexual behaviors and that there are evidence-based methods for assessment and treatment of this factor.

Awakening the Healing Soul: Indigenous Wisdom for Today’s Healers

This workshop explores what modern professionals can learn from traditional healing practices, particularly in helping people recover from trauma and prevent abuse of all kinds. As examples, the workshop focuses on understanding the ethical integration of how placebo, hope, and expectancy effects can be used to assist clients’ ability to participate in treatment as well as understanding transformative processes and their relationship to Maslow’s peak experiences and self-actualization. The workshop also explores the definitions of evidence-based practices and best-practice therapies and how current models do and don’t make use of what ancient knowledge has to offer. Finally, it examines the emerging research into entheogenic medicine and explores possible implications for multi-disciplinary treatment.

Being a Pro: Promoting Prosocial Development in Youths

In this webinar, Dr. Ralph discusses the evidence behind the Being a Pro model, the outcomes studies supporting the effectiveness of the approach, and how to use the materials he has developed for treatment professionals to successfully use the approach — including the Being a Pro Teen Workbook and free supplemental materials: the Counselor Manual, Research and Theory Manual, Pre- and Post-Tests for assessing outcomes, and a training video — all available through Safer Society Press.

What Works in Treating Substance Use Disorders

As we know, genuine change is a human experience and not just an experience that the client has. It becomes even more difficult when people are convinced there isn’t a problem. 

This webinar addresses what we have learned about substance use issues, including impaired drivers, and how this can help us understand and build motivation across a variety of settings, including criminal justice. It also includes suggestions for how practitioners can change their behaviors to better help their clients and themselves.

Sexual Wellbeing: Why It Matters for Individuals Who Cause Harm

Promoting consensual sexual relationships can be a challenge, particularly in the context of working with clients who have a history of problem sexual behaviors. Bringing discussions of healthy sexuality and positive, non-coercive, and pleasurable sexual expression to our clients necessitates candor and a comprehensive sexuality education approach. Using a public health model which incorporates sexual health, sexual pleasure, sexual wellbeing, and sexual justice (Mitchell et al., 2021) and the Circles of Sexuality model (Dailey, 1981), we can offer our clients an opportunity to develop the tools they need for consensual sexual and intimate relationships. This session will

Achieve Better Clinical Results with Deliberate Practice

How do we begin clinical sessions in a focused manner? How do we not get confused by all the details? How do we stay flexible and directional at the same time? And ultimately, how can we become deeper learners, turning information from our own practice into wisdom?

Few researchers or practitioners have focused on the nuances of clinical work and interviewing like Daryl Chow. During this webinar interview, we explore Daryl’s work, which focuses on how professionals can use plans for deliberate practice to achieve better results from their work.

Happy Thanksgiving from Safer Society!

So it feels appropriate that we once more take this time of the year to assess all that we are grateful for. For us, that starts with all our customers. We fully launched our Continuing Education Center in 2021. It was so gratifying to connect expert presenters with the many professionals in the U.S. and abroad who could benefit from this training and the CEs they could earn. We are extremely thankful that 2022 has been even stronger.

Using the Stages of Accomplishment Workbooks to Enhance Effective Practice

This training begins by examining workbooks in general, including their strengths and limitations, and provides guidelines for their use. It offers 13 pointers for how to use workbooks in treatment (for example, considerations for how and when to use assignments and how to check for comprehension and retention of learned material). The training then looks specifically at the Stages of Accomplishment workbooks.

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Correctional Settings

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) due to adverse childhood experiences and other incidents are common in justice-involved settings. The extant literature is filled with calls for attention to this issue. In this webinar, we discuss the prevalence of TBI. We review the existing research related to TBI in correctional settings and highlight systemic issues and possible barriers to effective identification, treatment, and monitoring.

Using Motivational Interviewing Skills with Parents and Families

Working with the families of children and teens with problematic behaviors presents unique challenges. In this webinar, Jennifer Ollis Blomqvist and Hillary Bolter discuss the intricate dynamics of working with these families. They offer practical strategies for professionals working with children and teens with problematic behaviors that are rooted in Motivational Interviewing.