Experiential Therapies in Adolescents with Problematic Sexual Behaviors
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Training Description
We know that adolescents who display problematic sexual behaviors struggle with building confidence due to histories of trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and poor interpersonal skills. Often, trauma and neglect histories alter brain functioning, impairing fine and gross motor skills, memory and language. This leads to difficulties in traditional clinical settings and they often feel less competent because of their limitations. Because of low confidence, many choose isolation and avoidance as a coping mechanism. This isolation and avoidance often fuels feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, apathy and poor self-image.
Utilizing strength based experiential and activity based interventions, adolescents often quickly gain improved skills and are able to tap into newfound talents and unknown capacities for change. Focusing on what they are good at and enjoy, often leads to increased motivation in treatment and a willingness to explore new treatments. Tapping into body-based and sensory-based interventions, allow clients to explore trauma and experiences they may not have words for. Building on this confidence, clinicians are able to build a stronger therapeutic relationship and clients are better able to tackle more complex challenges.
This 1.5 hour training will focus on providing clinicians the foundation and rational behind utilizing experiential interventions, offer insight into how to effectively incorporate experiential interventions into the treatment model and explore best practices to build facilitation confidence.
Trainer Biography
Ms. Santiago-Calling is the Director of Recreation Therapy for the Whitney Academy, and has been since 2006. In that role, she has developed innovative therapeutic activities to foster personal and interpersonal growth in the youth served. Her passion is incorporating experiential education within the clinical setting to address the emotional, cognitive, and sensory deficits to youth who have experienced trauma. She has presented this topic to clinical audiences across the United States, Canada, and England, and she has done consulting work with the Off Clinic Company in Sweden. She was also the featured presenter at the Scandinavian Trauma Network in Gothenberg, Sweden in 2013. Prior to working at the Whitney Academy, Ms. Santiago-Calling has worked with youth in clinical settings, incorporating outdoor adventure programming to develop self-esteem and success in her clients. She attended the University of Connecticut to achieve a BS in Therapeutic Recreation, and is a Board Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
This training is designed to help you:
- Understand the benefits of utilizing experiential interventions
- Build practical skills to begin using the interventions in your practice with your clientsJ
- Create a framework from which to design an effective experiential curriculums
- Understand how to safely incorporate safe touch activities within the treatment model
- Gain a better understanding of how experiential interventions help clients gain improved social, emotional and physical skills that translate to improvements in treatment
