Understanding the Complexities of Youth with Problematic Sexual Behavior

Who are they and how can we support them.

Objectives:

  • Identify typical, concerning, and problematic sexual behavior of youth.
  • Understand the types of trauma experiences, family experiences and individual factors that impact sexual development.
  • Know about protective factors to facilitate healthy sexual development in children.
  • Learn about factors to consider in decision making for the youth with PSB as well as the impacted child.

There is a growing recognition and understanding of youth who engage in concerning or problematic sexual behavior. Youth who have engaged in a concerning or problematic sexual behavior often come to the attention of daycare centers, schools, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems. However, the process of identification and response often leads to complexities that directly impact the work that occurs across all child serving systems where many families connect and seek support. This webinar will highlight critical information to better understand the population, work through decision making and the Multidisciplinary Team response, and review the treatment needs for the family and child. Additionally, it will highlight the important work that should occur with the impacted children, their family, and the community. Together, community stakeholders can create an environment where all children receive support and ultimately reduce the future impact of child sexual abuse and other adverse childhood experiences.

Speaker

Photo of Paul Shawler, PhD

Paul Shawler, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Shawler Psychology, PLLC

Dr. Shawler is an expert in Child and Adolescent Psychology with over a decade of experience supporting families. Prior to opening Shawler Psychology, PLLC, he served as the Chief Psychologist for Oklahoma’s state-wide juvenile justice agency, the Office of Juvenile Affairs. He served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and had an adjunct appointment in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the College of Medicine. Additionally, he served 14 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Major before deciding to leave the military to focus on his family and civilian career.

Dr. Shawler earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology at West Virginia University and went on to work in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Massachusetts and California before returning to graduate school at Oklahoma State University. He earned his Masters’ and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Psychology. He completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and completed his post-doctoral fellowship within the Section of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at OU Health Children’s Hospital. He continues to serve as a National Trainer at the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth training and consulting with agencies to address youth with problematic sexual behaviors and the impacted children, families, and the community.

Dr. Shawler consults and trains nationally for a variety of organizations serving youth and families. He has published numerous peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals. He has particular interest in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments and policy aimed at improving the lives of children and families. He has in-depth expertise working with parents and children who present with challenging behavior, in particular utilizing Parent-Child Interaction Therapy after years of working with master trainers across the country. He enjoys working on interdisciplinary teams and partnering with other community members.

Dr. Paul Shawler opened his practice in Carbondale, IL when he and his wife moved for her to join the faculty within the Psychological and Behavioral Sciences program at Southern Illinois University (SIU). He has a faculty appointment at SIU where he teaches doctoral level graduate clinical psychology courses and supervises clinical work.