Ethical Issues in Sex Offense-Specific Assessment and Treatment
Presented by: Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP and Marc A. Martinez, PhD, ABPP
4 Hours / 4 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on Ethical Issues in Sex Offense-Specific Assessment and Treatment is presented by Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP, and Marc A. Martinez, PhD, ABPP.
This program is intended for psychologists who treat or evaluate persons with a history of sexual offending. Using a case vignette approach, this program identifies common ethical dilemmas encountered in this area of practice and provides strategies for navigating these situations. After brief reviews of ethical decision-making and risk management strategies, matters including issues of roles and boundaries, privacy and confidentiality, assessment procedures, and one’s obligation to make efforts to maintain the security of test materials will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Describe two risk management strategies attendees can employ when treating or assessing persons with a history of sexual offending
- 2 Describe key sources of authority that impose obligations on mental health professionals when assessing and treating persons with a history of sexual offending
- 3 Describe three ways that the primary issue of “role” shapes mental health professionals’ obligations when evaluating or treating persons with a history of sexual offending
- 4 Describe the difference between privacy, confidentiality, and privilege, and identify the resulting obligations mental health professionals have when assessing or treating persons with a history of sexual offending
- 5 Describe how mental health professionals should consider matters of individual differences when treating or evaluating persons with a history of sexual offending, and describe how obligations to consider individual differences can be met
Training Instructors:
Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP
Randy K. Otto, PhD, MLS, joined the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in May 2025, where he serves as Professor and Chief of the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Otto was a member of the faculty at the University of South Florida between 1989 and 2022, and Nova Southeastern University between 2022 and 2025. Dr. Otto, licensed to practice psychology in New Mexico and Florida, is board-certified in clinical psychology and forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Marc A. Martinez, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Martinez is a psychologist licensed in Indiana (Health Service Provider in Psychology), Ohio, and New York. He also has authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP) under PSYPACT. In 2011, Dr. Martinez became board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in Forensic Psychology. Since 2012, Dr. Martinez has maintained a private practice that specializes in forensic psychological evaluations of juveniles and adults involved in civil and criminal legal matters.
CE Sponsorship Information
Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).
Sponsorship Approval Statements
Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.