Online Training: Neurodevelopment Perspectives in Juveniles Who Sexually Offended

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Length of Training: Three Hours
Credit: 3 CE Credit Hours
Cost of training: $90.00

Purchase price includes access to training video and material for 10 days. Participants will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.

This program is co-sponsored by Safer Society Press and Continuing Excellence, LLC

Enjoyed this training? Watch Dr. Ralph’s free webinar!


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. These changes are complemented by slower development in social judgment and “if/then” and contingency linked reasoning. Adolescents systematically overestimate the rewards of a situation without adequate appreciation of the possible negative and harmful outcomes. Youth with delays in social judgment are at greater risk for harmful actions, including sexual behaviors. Dr. Barbara Bonner describes early adolescence as a high risk but transitory period for harmful sexual behaviors. Adolescence is also a period for the maturation of social judgment and greater capacity for prosocial relationships. The teen brain is described by NIMH studies as only about 80% mature, and the 20% gap helps explain adolescent impulsiveness. Being prosocial adults including regarding sexual behaviors in part relates to having brain maturity.

There is substantial literature regarding psychosocial maturity as a risk factor for delinquent and sexually harmful behaviors. Practical methods for assessment of this factor will be presented. Assessment methods which obtain a sample of the youth’s thinking, as opposed to fixed choice responses, have a larger effect size regarding assessment. Also, practical treatment methods to promote psychosocial maturity which are associated with positive outcomes will be discussed, including Aggression Replacement Training and Being a Pro.

In summary, the workshop will present 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.

Topics to be discussed:
1) Brain-based developmental changes in adolescence.
2) Methods for measuring brain-based developmental changes in adolescence.
3) Treatment methods for promoting brain-based development changes in adolescence.
4) Harmful behaviors which increase in adolescence.
5) Characteristics of adolescents who psychosocially mature in adolescence.

As a result of attending this training, attendees will be better able to:
1. Identify three brain-based developmental changes in adolescence
2. Identify three methods for measuring brain-based devotional changes in adolescence
3. Identify three treatment methods for promoting brain-based development changes in adolescence
4. Describe three harmful behaviors which increase in adolescence
5. Describe three characteristics of adolescents who psychosocially mature in adolescence

Three Hours of Training

The training runs for three hours. The charge is $90. In order to receive a CE credit certificate after watching the training, you must complete and submit the quiz below. The evaluation is optional, and you can remain anonymous. Access to training materials and video will last for 10 days following the payment of the registration fee. All registrants will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion approved by APA for 3 CE credit hours.

Training registration fees are non-refundable.

Continuing Education Credit Hours

Continuing Excellence, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Continuing Excellence, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


Norbert Ralph, Ph.D, MPH
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ralph is a clinical psychologist, formerly at the Juvenile Justice Center in San Francisco, and Coordinator of the Juvenile Sexual Responsibility Program. Dr. Ralph is a psychiatric epidemiologist, and neuropsychologist, who has nearly 40 publications including articles, book chapters, blogs, or books. He was formerly Associate Clinical Professor in Family Practice, University of California School of Medicine at Davis, and Lecturer and Research Biostatistician in the Program in Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Trainer for Aggression Replacement Training, through the California Institute for Mental Health. He is a member of the Quality Management Committee, AllCare Independent Physicians Association. He is on the Conference Committee of the Forensic Mental Health Association of California.

Continuing Excellence, LLC
P.O. Box 134, East Middlebury, VT 05740
Tel: (802) 771-4155
Info@ContinuingExcellence.com
www.ContinuingExcellence.com

Audience
This training is for professionals working with people who have experienced complex trauma as well as people who have perpetrated abuse. Professionals who will benefit from this training include social workers, psychologists, clinical counselors, and interested paraprofessionals.

Content Level
Intermediate/Advanced

Special Accommodations Statement
Safer Society and Continuing Excellence are dedicated to meeting the needs of all attendees. Attendees will be provided with copies of the presenters’ materials (PowerPoint slides, images, etc.) for their own reference. Please note that closed-captioning will be available for this video. If/when further accommodations are necessary, we will make every effort to suit participants’ needs.

Comments 3

  1. Unfortunately I cannot attend what I believe to be a valuable workshop. Is there an option I can view the workshop at a later date and also receive materials. Could you please email me. Also is their a relevant new publication on the course content.

  2. Like Paul Isenstadt, I’m very interested in this topic but not able to attend. I’d be interested in a webinar recording, or in a future repeat of the training. Thanks.

    1. Post
      Author

      Thank you, Anne and Paul!

      An email has been sent to you directly. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

      Kind regards,

      Sarah Snow Haskell

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