Caregiver Engagement in Assessment and Treatment

Course 2 covers the caregiver’s role in the clinical assessment and treatment of PSB-CY.

NOTE: Please complete each course in the PSB-CY course series, as the series material was created to be completed fully and sequentially.

Caregivers are critically important in the effective assessment and treatment of PSB-CY. The discovery that their child engaged in PSB is often overwhelming for parents and caregivers. Research demonstrated treatment with caregivers is critical to positive outcomes, and youth have shared that their caregiver’s participation and support were key to their success. Effective engagement begins at first contact. How professionals connect with the family directly impacts the caregiver’s support and cooperation with the assessment and treatment of their child.

This course focuses on the vital role caregivers play throughout intake assessment, treatment, and safety planning for their children. Focus is also placed on the engagement of the caregivers and reviews caregiver involvement in the assessment process needed to inform safety and treatment planning.

Following this course, the learner should be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of the caregiver in the assessment and treatment process
2. Identify caregiver engagement strategies
3. Be aware of interview topics and approaches with caregivers to obtain information to inform clinical decision-making
4. Be familiar with approaches for introducing safety planning
5. Identify strategies to address common barriers to caregiver participation

These courses are sequential and developed to be experienced in order. Each course will take the average learner at least 90 minutes to complete. Please plan to complete each of the four courses listed on the PSB-CY Courses homepage.

Renee Roman is a trainer in Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (PSB-CBT-A) and a within-agency trainer for the adolescent model. She has been treating youth with problematic sexual behaviors and training on the topic for 5 years. She has presented locally, regionally, and nationally on topics related to her practice.

• Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS): This course is approved for 1.5 continuing education (CE) hours from the American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.
• Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPA): This course is approved for 1.5 CE contact hours by The Patient Advocate Certification Board. *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.*
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES): This course is approved for 1.5 CE credits from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.*
• Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates: This course is approved for 1.5 CE credits from the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP). *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.*
• Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists: This course is approved for 1.5 CE from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work (UTSW). Check with your state licensing agency for reciprocity and/or credit approval if licensed for other professions or in one of the following states: CO, FL, HI, IA, KS, KY, MI, NY, ND, OH, OK. *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.*
• Nurses: This course is approved for 1.5 CE credits from the Montana Nursing Association (MNA), an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. *Note: Eligibility for CE credit will close October 12, 2028.*
• Certificates of attendance are available for providers interested in documenting additional professional development activities.

For questions regarding CEs, email CE@oneop.org.

• Course 1| Clinical Assessment of Children and Youth with Problematic Sexual Behavior
• Course 3| Clinical Decision-Making and Treatment Planning
• Course 4| Monitoring Safety Planning, Supervision, and Treatment Progress

• Additional Resources
• PSB-CY Course Series: Glossary and Terms

This course is part of the Sexual Behavior in Children & Youth (SBCY) Series. For more information on other professional development opportunities on this topic, visit the series homepage!

SBCY Series – Homepage