Building Culturally Competent Assessment and Treatment

During the training, Mr. Wright explores the history and context behind the development of IRCAs and how they are being increasingly adopted by the criminal justice system. Through interactive discussion and case examples, participants gain practical knowledge on how to interpret and apply the information gathered through IRCAs to build cultural competence at both an individual and organizational level. Specific implications for culturally informed assessment and treatment of Black people who have committed sexual offenses are examined. The training also provides considerations on the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview.

Using the American Psychological Association’s Guide for Inclusive Language 

In October 2023, the American Psychological Association (APA) released the second edition of its Inclusive Language Guide. In support of cultural inclusivity, it outlines the differences between person-first and identity-first language and challenges all professionals to consider how they use respectful and culturally sensitive language with their clients and in communications about their clients.In this training, Molly Shepard and David Prescott review the APA recommendations and discuss their implications for practice in assessment and treatment. The training offers specific recommendations for criminal justice and related settings.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Treating Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Sexually Harm

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who cause sexual harm present unique challenges that often go unaddressed by well-intentioned treatment providers and programs. This training, led by Dr. Kim Spence, a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in this field, equips attendees with techniques to effectively support clients with ASD who have exhibited sexually harmful behavior.

Preventing and Treating Adolescent Violence and Delinquent Behavior

This training provides insight into how and why some adolescents engage in violence and other delinquent behavior. It describes empirically based pathways to offending and examines its sociocultural context, specifically addressing how individual development unfolds within an ecological niche and how this affects behaviors such as juvenile delinquency and violence. 

Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum

Conducting psychosexual assessment and treatment with children and adolescents who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be rife with challenges. Research and best practices have changed dramatically across the past two decades.

This online training will help professionals develop a deeper understanding of autism among children and adolescents as a multi-faceted, brain-based disorder and provide guidance on current best practices in ASD psychosexual assessment and treatment.

Using a Developmental Lens to Promote Prosocial Skills in Adolescent Clients

The most effective approaches to understanding, assessing, and treating juveniles who have sexually offended are those that account for adolescent development. Practicing with a “developmental lens” can help ensure that our methods result in prosocial behaviors and better lives. This training is designed to help attendees set developmentally appropriate treatment goals and promote teens’ ability to make better decisions and take greater responsibility for their lives. Dr. Ralph begins the training by comparing historical treatment approaches and offers insights into what we know about adolescent development, for example, how testosterone output corresponds to changes in criminal behavior. He further explores how these factors, along with what we now know about brain plasticity, call for a different response to adolescent crime than is being offered by the current legal system.