Pre-Conference Workshop

Group Dynamics in Forensic Settings: Enhancing Treatment for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Sexual Behavior Problems

PRESENTER: Dr. David Kolton

DATE: June 17, 2024

TIME: 9am - 12.30pm

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: 3.5 credits

COST: $150 CAD (includes 1 catered coffee break; lunch NOT included)

DESCRIPTION: 

Adults with intellectual disabilities who exhibit problematic sexual behaviors are a challenging and rewarding client group to work with. This clinical workshop will guide participants through the practice of facilitating group therapy with these clients whose cognitive challenges are reflected in a wide array of social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impairments that are frequently combined with comorbid mental health conditions. This interactive workshop will review known group therapeutic factors and research supporting best practice interventions with examples of how to implement best practice research in a group setting. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to determine the needs of the group, develop a group treatment plan that attends to the risk, needs, and responsivity issues of its members, identify barriers to group engagement and understanding, minimize (or capitalize on) group disruptions, promote group cohesiveness, and establish a strong therapeutic alliance with group members.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

1. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to incorporate best practice research and the Risk, Need, and Responsivity Model to develop a group treatment plan targeted to individuals with intellectual disabilities who have engaged in sexually harmful behaviour.
2. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to ascertain both the collective needs of the group and the needs of individual participants and incorporate these needs into a treatment plan.
3. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to identify and attend to barriers to group engagement and understanding.
4. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to anticipate and minimize group disruptions (or use disruptions as an opportunity for learning and discussion).
5. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to promote group cohesiveness and peer support.
6. Upon completion of this education activity, learners should be able to establish and strengthen a therapeutic alliance with group members.