Risk and Intervention for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Youth
Presented by: Kirsten Byrnes, Psy.D and HaeSung Han, Psy.D.
3 Hours / 3 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on Risk and Intervention for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Youth is presented by Kirsten Byrnes, PsyD, and HaeSung Han, PsyD.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s statistics, of the identified 22,326 victims and survivors contacting the service in 2019 alone, 5,359 were minors. Commercial sexual exploitation [CSE] and trafficking of youth are rooted in the objectification of and adultification of youth, sexism, and racism, which are enacted within the various systems in which youth are embedded [e.g. education, child protective services, juvenile justice].
In working with youth who have been sexually exploited or trafficked, it is imperative to understand the influence of both the larger systemic impact, as well as those risk factors that contribute to individual vulnerability. Factors contributing to individual risk include but are not limited to exposure to a high number of ACEs, especially sexual abuse, family instability, homelessness, and substance use. An in-depth understanding of this population and their needs highlights the necessity to provide treatment interventions focused on emotion regulation, attachment, and interpersonal effectiveness rather than more traditional approaches of symptom reduction or TF-CBT.
This program discusses definitions, relevant statutes, and the prevalence of sexual abuse in the prison pipeline and a review of systemic factors; including Racism, sexism, objectification, and adultification. How they play out in various systems, access to money, and education, including, Individual risk factors, ACE exposure, family instability, attachment, homelessness, and substance abuse, is also discussed.
The application of emotion regulation, attachment, and interpersonal effectiveness interventions, as well as the limits of symptom reduction/TF-CBT within this population, is discussed. Case studies are used to bring the discussion to life.
This program is ideal for professionals familiar with general trauma-based interventions, TF-CBT, and DBT, whose specialty and environment as relatively broad. Practitioners doing screenings and triages for intervention, evaluators, therapists, and those in program development would all benefit.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Describe the link between childhood sexual abuse, incarceration, and vulnerability to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking for youth
- 2 Describe the systemic factors that contribute to and sustain trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation
- 3 Describe the other relevant risk factors contributing to vulnerability to trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in youth
- 4 Describe effective therapeutic approaches and interventions for treating youth exposed to exploitation and trafficking, namely, the importance of emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness interventions rather than more traditional symptom reduction or purely trauma-based interventions
Presented By
Kirsten Byrnes, Psy.D, Director of Clinical Research and Training at POETIC
"Dr. Kirsten Byrnes is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. She is a graduate of the Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University’s C. W. Post Campus, with a concentration in serious and persistent mental illness. Dr. Byrnes completed her pre-doctoral internship within the forensic track at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University). She also has a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Additional certifications include postgraduate certificates in Criminal Forensic Psychology and Family/Civil Forensic Psychology from Montclair State University. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional [level I and II]. Dr. Byrnes currently serves as the Director of Clinical Research and Training at POETIC, Dallas, which is dedicated to providing services for youth who have experienced child maltreatment, trafficking or sexual commercial exploitation. Dr. Byrnes also provides consultation, supervision, evaluation, and therapy in private practice. Previously, Dr. Byrnes worked at the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House at Hackensack University Medical Center for a decade, including, her position as the Psychology Education Coordinator, where she supervised, managed, and delivered APPIC and ABPP approved training for psychology fellows. She is an assistant professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and has taught at several colleges and universities in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, delivering coursework ranging from the undergraduate to doctoral level instruction. She has also conducted research in the field of child maltreatment, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, trauma, assessment, and grooming, presenting findings at regional, national and international conferences. Dr. Byrnes is the author of a chapter pertaining to forensic considerations relative to youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who may have experienced sexual touch or abuse. She has also co-authored an article on the use of the MACI in child abuse assessments. "
Presented By
HaeSung Han, Psy.D., Co-Founder of POETIC
Dr. HaeSung Han is a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and a Board Certified, Nationally Registered Art Therapist. Dr. Han received her master’s and doctoral degree in clinical psychology from George Washington University and also received a master’s degree in art therapy from New York University. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology at Audrey Hepburn Children’s House, Hackensack University Medical Center in the field of child maltreatment. She completed two post-graduate certificate programs: one in international trauma studies from Columbia University and the other in civil and criminal forensic psychology from Montclair State University. In 2017, Dr. Han Co-Founded POETIC, a comprehensive in-community non-profit that addresses the systems not just the symptoms of exploitation and trafficking through its five systems model that puts an on-site school, trauma therapy center, clinical case management and advocacy, creative arts therapy studio and paid internships all under one roof. POETIC’s innovative model was named 2019 United Way’s Social Innovation of the Year. POETIC’s team and culture was named 2019 DCEO Non-Profit Team of the year. Due to POETIC’s proven record of showing outcomes, was accepted into two national catalyst programs; BBVA and Stand Together. Dr. Han’s work building programs in the field of trauma and youth was recognized by Texas Women’s Foundation as she was awarded their 2019 Young Leader Award. She is also a 2020 and 2021 Presidential Leadership Scholar and a Public Voices Fellow with the OpEd project.
Training Outline
Key topics covered in this training include:
-
General discussion of definitions, relevant statutes, and prevalence
-Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline -
Review of systemic factors
-Racism, sexism, objectification, adultification -
How they play out in various systems; access to money, education
-Individual Risk Factors
-Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline
-ACE exposure
-Family instability and attachment
-Homelessness & substance abuse -
Varied clinical presentation with disruptions in various domains
-
Limits of symptom reduction/TF-CBT within this population
-
Application of emotion regulation, attachment and interpersonal effectiveness interventions
-
Case studies
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).
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.