Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Kostas A. Katsavdakis, PhD, ABPP, presents a live virtual professional training program on Sexual Offender Risk Assessment for Adult Offenders in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This intermediate training focuses on the currently available forensic assessment instruments as well as the standard of practice for assessing risk for sexually perpetrated offenses.  Participants will examine practice standards for interviewing sexual offenders and review structured professional judgment protocols, paying close attention to cultural and gender differences.  Finally, we will discuss the currently available scientifically based treatment modalities for the sexual offender populations. 

This training is intended for Intermediate to Advanced mental health professionals with a focus on Forensic Assessment and Treatment Community, In-Patient, or Partial Programming. 

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe relevant scientific developments among relevant Forensic Assessment Instruments (FAI)
  • 2 Describe standards of practice when assessing sexual offenders for contact and non-contact offenses
  • 3 Describe and differentiate behavioral characteristics across sexual offenses
  • 4 Describe empirically supported treatment programs

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health professionals who specialize in forensic assessment and treatment of individuals involved in sexual offenses. The intended audience includes those who are responsible for conducting risk assessments, utilizing structured professional judgment and actuarial tools, and implementing empirically supported treatment programs. Participants are expected to have a strong interest in understanding the nuances of interviewing sexual offenders, recognizing cultural and gender differences, and staying current with scientific developments in forensic assessment instruments and treatment modalities.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Forensic Psychiatrist
    • Clinical Social Worker
    • Licensed Professional Counselor
    • Behavioral Health Specialist
    • Correctional Treatment Specialist
    • Program Director (Forensic or Sexual Offense Treatment Programs)
    • Case Manager (Forensic or Sexual Offense Populations)

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for intermediate to advanced mental health professionals specializing in forensic assessment and treatment of sexual offender populations.

    • Intermediate: Participants have foundational experience in mental health assessment and treatment, with some exposure to forensic settings and basic knowledge of risk assessment tools and interviewing techniques for sexual offenders.
    • Advanced: Participants possess substantial experience in forensic mental health, routinely conduct risk assessments for sexual offenses, are familiar with structured professional judgment and actuarial tools, and integrate current research and cultural/gender considerations into practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals in this field typically work in secure, structured, and multidisciplinary environments where they assess and treat individuals involved in sexual offenses. These settings prioritize safety, confidentiality, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. Work environments may include correctional facilities, forensic psychiatric hospitals, specialized outpatient clinics, community-based treatment programs, and government or non-profit agencies focused on forensic populations. Professionals often collaborate with legal, medical, and social service teams, and may provide services in both individual and group formats.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • State or federal correctional institutions
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals or units
    • Community-based forensic mental health clinics
    • Outpatient sexual offense treatment programs
    • Residential treatment centers for forensic populations
    • Probation and parole offices with specialized caseloads
    • Government agencies overseeing forensic assessment and treatment
    • Non-profit organizations providing forensic services
    • Court-mandated treatment programs for sexual offenders

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:

  • Case Studies

  • Instruments-Structured Professional Judgment and Actuarial Tools

  • Standards of Practice, including Differentiating Culture/Gender Differences

  • Identify Empirically Supported Treatment Programming

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Have a sudden change of plans and are unable to attend live? No worries; you will be given access to the on-demand version of the program once available. Please note that if you attend live, no access to the recording will be given.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

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.