4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Evaluating Risk in Child Pornography Offenders is presented by Kostas A. Katsavdakis, PhD, ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

The focus of this program is the assessment of persons found in possession of child pornography, including those with no known history of contact offenses. After a brief discussion of relevant ethical and legal considerations, reviewed are interviewing techniques and Forensic assessment instruments for use in these evaluations. Next reviewed are risk factors for offending, followed by a discussion of how emerging technology and encryption systems are used to solicit and exploit child victims.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe key legal and ethical issues specific to assessing child pornography offenders
  • 2 Describe and use tools that are of value with respect to structuring judgments about offense risk with child pornography offenders
  • 3 Describe risk and motivating factors for child pornography offenders
  • 4 Describe how emerging technology, including the “Dark Web” is utilized to solicit and exploit victims

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals involved in the forensic assessment of individuals found in possession of child pornography. The program addresses the evaluation of sexual offending risk, the impact of emerging technology-related risks, and the application of ethical and legal considerations in forensic practice.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Other Allied Mental Health Professional

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who are involved in the assessment of individuals found in possession of child pornography.

    Beginner:
    New to forensic assessment or with limited experience evaluating individuals involved in child pornography offenses; seeking foundational knowledge of legal/ethical considerations, interviewing techniques, and risk assessment tools.

    Intermediate:
    Some experience with forensic assessment and risk evaluation; looking to deepen understanding of specific risk factors, assessment instruments, and the impact of emerging technologies.

    Advanced:
    Extensive experience in forensic mental health assessment; interested in advanced application of assessment tools, complex ethical/legal issues, and the latest developments in technology-facilitated exploitation.

  • Practice Setting

    Mental health and allied professionals involved in forensic assessment of individuals found in possession of child pornography typically work in secure, structured environments where confidentiality, safety, and adherence to legal and ethical standards are paramount. These settings often require collaboration with legal, correctional, and law enforcement systems, and may involve conducting assessments in clinical offices, correctional facilities, forensic hospitals, or court-mandated evaluation centers. Professionals in these roles are responsible for evaluating risk, providing expert testimony, and preparing detailed forensic reports.

    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals
    • Correctional facilities (prisons, jails, detention centers)
    • Court clinics or court-ordered evaluation centers
    • Private forensic mental health practices
    • Community mental health centers with forensic services
    • Government agencies (e.g., probation, parole, child protective services)
    • Academic or research institutions specializing in forensic assessment

Presented By

Kostas A. Katsavdakis, PhD, ABPP Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Kostas A. Katsavdakis, Ph.D., ABPP is board-certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is in independent practice in New York. He has evaluated defendants charged with violent sexual and violent non-sexual offenses. Dr. Katsavdakis also conducts threat assessments for the United States Attorney’s Office Work Trauma Services.  In addition to his forensic work, he also treats adults and juveniles.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Kostas A. Katsavdakis, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Discuss relevant ethical and legal considerations

  • Review interviewing techniques and Forensic assessment instruments for use in these evaluations

  • Review risk factors for offending

  • Discuss how emerging technology and encryption systems are used to solicit and exploit child victims

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

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. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.