Supporting Youth Who Exhibit Problematic Sexual Behavior
When: Wednesday, October 16 - 1:00 PM
Duration: 1 hours 30 minutes
Location: Zoom
Event Details:
1.5 Continuing Education Contact Hours Available for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Psychoanalysts.
Sexual exploration is a natural and common part of childhood human and sexual development that begins at a very young age. Sexual development includes both the sexual beliefs and knowledge that children learn as well as the physical changes that occur as children grow. Providing children with accurate, age-appropriate information is one of the most important things providers and caregivers can do to make sure children grow up safe, healthy, and secure in their bodies.
At times, the sexual behavior of children and youth becomes harmful to themselves and to other children. Understanding the myths, misconceptions, and realities about this population allows for proper identification, support and intervention. Research shows that with identification, support and appropriate intervention, children and youth with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) have low recidivism rates for ongoing challenges regarding PSB. This presentation will help you support youth who exhibit PSB by understanding the complexities of these behaviors and do the following:
- Learn about the myths and misconceptions regarding youth with PSB
- Develop an understanding of normative sexual behaviors in children vs problematic and illegal sexual behaviors
- Discover the possible motivations for problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs)
- Identify the vulnerabilities and protective factors that may help address risks of those youth who engage in PSB
About the Presenter
Jenny Almanzar, LCSW-R, completed her Master of Social Work degree at the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work in their Advanced Standing program in New York, NY. Jenny is currently the Consultant of Specialized Services at the Children’s Home in Binghamton, NY, a national trainer and consultant with the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) and owner of Jenny Almanzar Consulting, LLC. She is the former Director of The Journey Project at Family and Children's Counseling Services in Binghamton, NY. As Director of The Journey Project, Jenny brought evidenced based treatments to the program by implementing Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problematic Sexual Behavior - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Jenny has been providing services since 2002 to families impacted by childhood sexual abuse, youth with problematic or illegal sexual behavior and their families, as well as adults who have sexually offended. Jenny's clinical experience highlights her belief that addressing the family system is key to mitigating the impact of trauma, as well as managing disruptive behaviors in children. She is a trainer with the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) at the University of Oklahoma in their treatment model Problematic Sexual Behavior- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) in both school-age and adolescent models, as well as a trainer for senior leaders who wish to develop programs in their communities. Jenny also works on the military team through NCSBY, where she trains military clinicians both in the United States and abroad in meeting the needs of youth with problematic sexual behaviors on US military bases. Jenny advocates in her community and with her community stakeholders, as well as, across New York State, to meet the needs of children and adolescents with illegal and problematic sexual behaviors. Jenny is a member of the NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, a clinical member of ATSA and is the former co-chair of the Broome County Sexually Aggressive Youth Intervention Team.