Implementing the Principles of Risk, Need, and Responsivity

Anyone who has tried to improve an existing treatment program knows how difficult it can be. This webinar interview shows how one prominent agency implemented the principles of risk, need, and responsivity. It provides ideas for how agencies can best implement these principles and other new methods and models. In this webinar, Nikole Hassen, Clinical Psychologist and Director at the Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, will discuss the challenges faced when modernizing their treatment program, and the benefits of having done so.

Improving Results of Treatment with Adolescents Through an Injection of Fun

Christin Santiago and Anette Birgersson have taught professionals around the world how to incorporate fun into the very serious work of trauma-informed treatment for youth and adolescents. Studies have shown that interventions that are fun and engaging increase motivation, buy-in, and improve the therapeutic alliance. Likewise, incorporating aspects of fun into our lives as professionals is also essential for mental and physical overall health and well-being. 

Christin and Anette will introduce best practices for both individual and group work that will include: utilizing games and activities, sensory-based interventions, facilitation techniques and mitigating risk. The aim of the webinar is to learn, laugh, and feel increased confidence as fun professionals!

Springtime Self-Care! Strategies and Discussion with Colleagues

This round-table discussion is intended for professionals who already understand the importance of self-care and are looking to get better at it. First, Janet will describe the findings of a survey that she completed with professionals working with individuals who have abused. Next, Arliss will focus on what’s possible and available for busy professionals. David will add some observations from his practice and then turn it over to the audience for open discussion. Participants can add their own thoughts or simply relax and enjoy the company of colleagues who understand the challenges of this work in the current era.

Counseling Clients with Neopaganistic Worldviews 

A growing number of clients in treatment follow different spiritual paths than the religious practices most familiar to their treatment and supervision providers. This sets the stage for possible misunderstandings and tensions between the client and the members of treatment or supervisory team. Among these spiritual paths is Neopaganism; this term refers to a group of Eurocentric religions that focus on reviving the pre-Christian practices of Europe and/or developing new and borrowed practices compatible with ancient pagan worldviews. While these worldviews can be puzzling to therapists and other professionals, Mr. Reeder explains how they can be understood in the context of counseling.

Working with Christian Beliefs in Treatment

There has been little guidance on integrating Christian beliefs with the material covered in most treatment programs for individuals who have sexually abused. Yet the topic is of vital importance to many clients in treatment. In fact, it is common for people convicted of sexual crimes to have questions about spirituality in the wake of their arrest and legal processing. In this webinar, the panelists will address topics related to religious objections to participating in treatment, discussing how the goals of treatment mesh with individual beliefs and how professionals can best interface with their clients’ faith systems.

Being a Pro: Promoting Prosocial Development in Youths

In this webinar, Dr. Ralph will discuss 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 will address 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 will also include suggestions for how practitioners can change their behaviors to better help their clients and themselves.

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.

What We Can Do About Abuse in the Psychedelic Therapy Community 

The recent explosion of interest in the use of psychedelic drugs to treat PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other conditions has moved faster than the field’s ability to consider and monitor the potential risks involved. Despite the good intentions of many, some professionals have used their authority and the influence of these drugs to abuse, control, manipulate, and steal from clients. While many advocates claim to have implemented safeguards, these have not often been nearly sufficient enough to prevent ongoing harm. Lily Kay Ross and Dave Nickles have done more than anyone to bring these harms into public awareness. This webinar will focus on what they’ve learned and what we can do to prevent further abuse. 

Improving Your Group Therapy Skills 

It is critical that clinicians are skilled in group facilitation principles and techniques, given that treatment of individuals who sexually abuse is typically group-based. In this webinar, Jerry Jennings and Steven Sawyer will discuss the essential qualities of effective treatment groups and group facilitators. They will discuss research, methods, and techniques relevant to group therapy and client motivation. They will then answer your questions about how to improve your clinical practice by facilitating cohesive and dynamic groups.