3.5 Hours / 3.5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Juvenile Sexual Offender Evaluation is presented by Kostas A. Katsavdakis, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program reviews the standard of practice for conducting a juvenile sexual offender risk assessment, taking into account cultural and gender differences as well as overall limitations when testifying in Court.  

This program examines relevant risk assessment tools, their application and limitations, recidivism base rate, report writing, and cognitive biases impacting overall opinions.  

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe relevant legal and ethical foundations of juvenile sexual offender risk assessments.
  • 2 Describe the standard of practice for juvenile sexual offender risk evaluations.
  • 3 Describe cultural and gender differences, as well as overall limitations when assessing juveniles for sexual offender risk.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals who specialize in juvenile justice, forensic psychology, clinical assessment, and risk management, with a background in working with juveniles and risk assessment. It is particularly relevant for those involved in youth rehabilitation and legal processes.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists, social workers, counselors)
    • Law enforcement professionals (e.g., juvenile officers, probation officers)
    • Forensic psychologists and clinicians
    • Risk management specialists in juvenile settings
    • Staff in juvenile justice and correctional institutions
    • Professionals in community-based organizations involved in youth rehabilitation and legal processes

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in juvenile sexual offender risk assessment.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to juvenile sexual offender risk assessment and seek foundational knowledge of legal, ethical, and cultural considerations, as well as an introduction to relevant assessment tools.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience conducting risk assessments with juveniles and are looking to deepen their understanding of best practices, address cognitive biases, and enhance their skills in report writing and testimony.

    • Advanced: Participants are experienced in juvenile sexual offender risk assessment and wish to refine their expertise in complex cases, advanced application of assessment tools, and nuanced consideration of cultural, gender, and legal factors.

  • Practice Setting

    Format the Professionals practice in court-integrated, forensic, and community-based environments where juvenile risk assessment guides rehabilitation and legal decision-making. These are structured, policy-driven systems requiring multidisciplinary collaboration, standardized tools, culturally and gender-responsive practices, rigorous report writing, and testimony aligned with established standards.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Juvenile detention and correctional facilities
    • Probation departments (juvenile units)
    • Family and juvenile courts and court-affiliated assessment clinics
    • Forensic mental health and psychological assessment centers
    • Community mental health agencies serving justice-involved youth
    • Residential treatment centers and therapeutic group homes
    • School-linked diversion and reentry programs
    • Child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary youth service hubs
Presented By

Kostas A. Katsavdakis, PhD, ABPP

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.
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).


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.