Assessment, Intake, and Treatment Goals with Children with Sexual Behavior Problems: Utilizing Play Therapy and other Expressive Approaches 

The goal of this workshop is to help play therapists and other clinicians identify and address the unique challenges of assessing and treating children with sexual behavior problems. This workshop will provide a range of information including definitions, types of sexual behavior problems, and most importantly, how to differentiate between normative sexual development and sexual behavior problems. The presenter will emphasize the importance of using a brief child-friendly assessment process utilizing play therapy approaches so that play therapists learn how to address referral concerns directly with children, and at the same time gauge their willingness to participate with others about these issues. Treatment principles that utilize play and other expressive therapies will be described, and clearly linked to specific target goals with this population.