Assessment of Children with Sexual Behavior Problems: Integrating Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Approaches

Jennifer Shaw, Psy.D.

Program Goals

The goal of this workshop is to help play therapists and other clinicians identify and address the unique challenges of conducting a proper assessment of children with sexual behavior problems. In addition to describing the nature of this problem area and the wide range of referral questions that enter our clinical practices, play therapists and other clinicians will learn how to do a comprehensive intake with parents and/or other referring parties in order to facilitate a focus on safety and supervision. Finally, a brief child-friendly assessment process utilizing play therapy approaches will be presented in order for play therapists to learn how to lower children’s defenses and begin to create an environment of relational trust. This course will be followed by a second workshop presented by Dr. Jennifer Shaw, in which an integrated and family-focused treatment model is presented.

Program Schedule

The schedule will consist of a didactic presentation, group discussions in Zoom breakout rooms, case illustrations, and a Power Point handout.

11:00 – 11:30Definition of sexual behavior problems Overview of normative sexual development A model for Comprehensive assessment focused on safety and supervision
11:30 -11:45Break
11:45 -01:00Working with families and setting a context for treatment
01:00 -02:00Lunch
02:00 - 03:30Assessment of children using play therapy and other expressive approaches Reviewing child strengths and vulnerabilities  Providing feedback to parents/others
03:30 - 03:45Breal
03:45 - 05:00Case Discussions, group activities, and Q and A

Course Objectives

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

  1.  Define sexual behavior problems
  2. List two ways that assessment integrating play therapy can address the problem behavior
  3. List two intake issues that are relevant for children’s safety
  4. Name two play therapy approaches that can be used to conduct a

useful assessment of children with sexual behavior problems

References: 

Gil, E. & Shaw, J. (2013) Working with children with sexual behavior problems

NY : Guilford Press.

Johnson, T. C. (2009, 4th Ed.). Helping children with sexual behavior problems : A guidebook for

Professions and caregivers. Los Angeles, CA : Institute on Violence and Abuse.

Silovsky, J. F. (2009). Taking action : Support for families of children with sexual behavior

Problems. VT : Safer Society Press.

General Course Information

This course is limited to 15 participants and is designed to facilitate group discussion among play therapists and others, and review the present literature and practice regarding children’s sexual behavior problems, assessment using play therapy, intake focused on safety and supervision, and developing goal-oriented and structured play and other expressive therapy interventions. A unique, brief assessment process will be utilized that incorporates play therapy approaches, including child-centered and directive play therapy activities. 

Clinical case discussions will adhere to HIPPA regulations regarding client confidentiality.

Target audience is Licensed Professional Counselors, MFTs, psychologists, social workers, play therapists and others who work with children. 

The program is an introduction to children’s sexual behavior problems and how to begin to understand what’s motivating the behavior, how environmental stimuli can contribute, and how critical the family’s supervision and guidance is to changing these sometimes compulsive behaviors.  

This event is sponsored by Starbright Training Institute.  Starbright Training Institute is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Provider No. 96-029).  

Continuing Education Credit is pending through Commonwealth Educational Seminars for the following professions: 

It is the participant's responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state. 

Psychologists:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Commonwealth Educational Seminars maintains responsibility for these programs and their content. 

Licensed Professional Counselors/Licensed Mental Health Counselors:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Professional Counselors/Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for LPCs/LMHCs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

Social Workers:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Social Workers. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for Social Workers. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

If applicable: Social Workers – New York State

Commonwealth Educational Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #SW-0444.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for LMFTs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

For information about continuing education credit, fees, and deadlines for cancellations/refunds, please see https://starbrighttraininginstitute.com/. It is the participant's responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state. 

Myriam Goldin, LCSW; RPT-S, is Director of Starbright Training Institute. 

Phone:  703-980-2886. 

Email: starbright.inst@outlook.com  

Web Page: starbrighttraininginstitute.com

Complaints and Appeals:

Complaints against an Approved Provider should first be filed in writing with the Approved Provider directly for resolution. If satisfaction is not obtained, APT’s Continuing Education Coordinator should be contacted in writing to achieve a final resolution.

Grievance Policy

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to:

Myriam Goldin, LCSW; RPT-S, Director of Starbright Training Institute. 

Phone: 703-980-2886.

Email: starbright.inst@outlook.com  

Web Page: starbrighttraininginstitute.com

Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems. 

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

Starbright Training Institute’s training facilities are handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations please contact the Director of Starbright Training Institute. See contact information above.

Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for (5 hrs) CONTACT CE Hours

Course Instructor Contact Information

Name: Dr. Jennifer Shaw

Bio: http://www.gilinstitute.com/about/team/shaw.php

Website: www.gilinstitute.com

Email: jshaw@gilinstitute.com

Phone: 704.402.7232