Lunch & Learn Series

Program Overview

CE Credits: 1 credit per session

This Lunch and Learn series is a monthly, 1-hour, high-octane focus on the emerging issues for clinicians working with children and youth engaging in problematic sexual behaviors. This is a collaborative effort between MACA and MASOC.

This series offers CE credits to augment this unique professional development opportunity. Credits are free to MA professionals.  If you are from out of state, we ask that you make a $6/session donation to help us cover these CE Credits.  CE credits are made possible through William James College.

View full session overviews below.

October 31, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

What is a Strengths-based Approach?

Presenter: Dr. Kevin Powell

This Lunch & Learn will provide participants with an overview of ‘what is’ a Strengths-Based Approach (SBA) and how to incorporate it into their work with at-risk (at-promise) children and families. Specific interventions will be highlighted for forming positive relationships, promoting hope and self-efficacy, targeting protective factors linked to resilience, and fostering prosocial behaviors.

November 28, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Incorporating Polyvagal Approaches and the Neurobiology of Trauma in Treatment of Sexually Abusive Behavior

Presenter: Dr. Meghan Fagundes

Research shows that individuals with sexually abusive behavior experience trauma at higher rates than the general population; however, there is a paucity of research exploring the incorporation of trauma-informed approaches with those who have engaged in sexually abusive behavior. How might our existing approaches to working with this population be overlooking, or worse, exacerbating symptoms related to trauma? In this workshop, we will explore how to incorporate a basic understanding of the neurobiology of trauma and polyvagal theory into practices for individuals with sexually abusive behavior.

December 19, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Sibling Sexual Abuse

Presenter: Stuart Allardyce

Sibling sexual is perhaps the most common form of intrafamilial sexual harm, yet cases involving sibling sexual abuse can be very challenging for practitioners and agencies, and outcomes for children affected and their families are often suboptimal. This workshop will cover content of two recent publications by the UK based ‘Centre of expertise in child sexual abuse’ written for social workers and other professionals. They outline current knowledge and evidence in the sibling sexual abuse field and look at how that knowledge can be used to inform how we positively support a family’s journey, from identification of harm, safety planning and assessment, through to intervention, case closure and aftercare support. The workshop will also draw on recent research on the lived experiences of adult survivors of sibling sexual abuse and how that can inform child protection decision making and better outcomes for families.