TF-CBT with Adolescents with Problematic Sexual Behaviors: Lessons Learned

with Melissa D. Grady, PhD, MSW, LICSW and Jamie Yoder, PhD, MSW

Compared to the general population, adolescents with problem sexual behaviors (PSB-A) have elevated rates of childhood adversity and trauma. Early trauma can contribute to a number of risk factors associated with sexual offending during adolescence including emotional dysregulation, sexual arousal, difficulties with interpersonal relationships, and cognitive processing struggles. Yet, treatment programs for PSB-A often do not address such trauma sequelae and may predominately focus on reducing offending behaviors. It is thus critical to train PSB-A clinicians to address both PSB and trauma.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) combined with the gold standard of PSB work has the potential to provide therapists with the guidance they need to address both needs simultaneously. In this workshop, we will present our conceptual model that integrates TF-CBT for PSB-A and discuss lessons learned from both our pilot feasibility study on training and implementation of TF-CBT for PSB-A in community practice and juvenile justice settings and our ongoing quasi-experimental research on this modality.

Presenters: Melissa D. Grady, PhD, MSW, LICSW and Jamie Yoder, PhD, MSW
Presentation Date: March 31, 2026

Learning objectives:

Recognize the connections between trauma and risk factors associated with PSB.
Describe components of an integrated model designed to address trauma and PSB with adolescents.
Identify lessons learned from the implementation of a pilot TF-CBT treatment intervention with adolescents with PSB.