Presentations

Real Treatment with Real Kids: Treatment for Sexually Abused Children

Based on the "evidence based practice" of Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, this presentation provides active, creative, and relationship-based intervention ideas for working with sexually abused children. Tamara offers real ideas for how to engage children in therapy and discusses the hidden beliefs and misperceptions, which can follow a child into adulthood and limit their healing.

Topics include how to engage parents and help them to be support agents for their children, while also creating an atmosphere of trust and acceptance in the child-therapist relationship. The use of a creative orientation towards Trauma Focused-CBT theory, sets this presentation apart from others and engages the therapist and clients in immediate cognitive reframing. The use of case examples, active and usable techniques, and a focus on the "clinician as change agent", through attitude, humor, and creativity in treatment, will be highly emphasized. Resiliency skills and practical safety/prevention ideas are highlighted.

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Learning Objectives

  1. The participant will be able to identify 3 techniques to use in helping a child begin to discuss and work through their sexual abuse history.
  2. The participant will be able to identify 3 "thought-errors", which if not exposed, can negatively affect recovery.
  3. The participant will be able to identify ways in which they can help parents be proactive in supporting their children while also creating a safer "normalcy" in the family.

Past Presentations

APSAC – American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Denver, Colorado – May 22–26, 2023
APSAC – American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Salt Lake City, UT – June 18–22, 2019
18th Annual Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit
Portland, OR – April 10–13, 2017
33rd NCAC National Symposium on Child Abuse
Huntsville, AL – March 27–30, 2017
Keynote Speech – Tulare Child Abuse Prevention Conference
Visalia, CA – November 10, 2016
Indian Country Conference
Sioux City, IA – August 16, 2016
17th Annual Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit
Portland, OR – April 20, 2016
Speaking of Children Training Conference
Omaha, NE – April 15, 2016
APSAC – American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Boston, MA – July 22, 2015
16th Annual Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit
Portland, OR – April 22, 2015
Midwest Regional CAC EduNet Webinar Series – National Teleconference
April 9, 2015 – "Real Treatment with Real Kids": Treating Children who have been sexually abused
Bivona Summit (6th Annual) on Child Abuse
Rochester, NY – April 22, 2014
Midwest Regional CAC EduNet Webinar Series – National Teleconference
April 10, 2014 – "A Pebble in the Pond" – Second Generation Sexual Abuse
30th NCAC National Symposium on Child Abuse
Huntsville, AL – March 24–28, 2014
Bend Regional Training (All day presentation)
Corpus Christi, TX – March 21, 2014
Safe at Home Conference on Maltreatment
Niagara Falls, NY – October 1, 2013
Crimes Against Children
Dallas, TX – August 12–15, 2013
APSAC – American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Las Vegas, NV – June 24–28, 2013
CACVA Conference
Richmond, Virginia – May 9–10, 2013
Conference on Child Abuse
Dartmouth, NH – April 11, 2013
29th NCAC National Symposium on Child Abuse
Huntsville, AL – March 18–20, 2013
29th San Diego International Conference on Child Maltreatment
San Diego, CA – January 21–27, 2013
Cape Cod Child Development Program Training Day
Centerville, MA – October 26, 2012
Current Thinking/New Directions conferences on Child Abuse
Cape Cod, MA – October 2012
Heartland Juvenile Services Conference
Omaha, Nebraska – September 24, 2012
MACA, Massachusetts Children's Alliance
Marlborough, MA – May 23, 2012
Wyoming Crimes Against Children Conference
Cheyenne, WY – May 15–17, 2012
28th NCAC National Symposium on Child Abuse
Huntsville, AL – March 19–22, 2012; Marlborough, MA – April 11–13, 2012
Current Thinking/New Directions conferences on Child Abuse
Cape Cod, MA – October 2011
Hope For Tomorrow – Featured Speaker, Conference on Child Abuse
Norfolk, NE – April 20, 2011
APSAC – American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Philadelphia, PA – July 14–15, 2011; New Orleans, LA – 2010; Atlanta, GA – 2009; Phoenix, AZ – 2008; Boston, MA – 2007
27th NCAC National Symposium on Child Abuse
Huntsville, AL – March 28–31, 2011
MASOC, MATSA Joint Conference on Sexually Abusing Youth
Marlborough, MA – April 7 & 8, 2011
Current Thinking/New Directions conference on Child Abuse
Cape Cod, MA – October 2010
Hope For Tomorrow – Conference on Child Abuse
Norfolk, NE – April 14, 2010
25th Annual Midwest Conference on Child Sexual Abuse
Madison, WI – October 19–22, 2009
Eastern Conference on Child Sexual Abuse
Arlington, VA – March 2009
Broken Boundaries 2009 Conference
Warwick, RI – March 2009
NCA National Teleconference
January 29, 2009
New England Conference on Child Sexual Abuse
Burlington, VT – October '06, '07, '08
National Organization of Forensic Social Workers
Hartford, CT – May 2008
Current Thinking/New Directions Conference on Child Abuse
Cape Cod, MA – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008