An Empirically Guided Approach to Assessing and Treating Adolescents Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses

This workshop focuses on clarifying existing assumptions that have guided interventions for adolescent sexual offenders. It will challenge the assumption that adolescent sex offenders are a unique population and explore specific issues of assessment and treatment. We will look at the issue of risk assessment in adolescent populations and discuss the available tools for such assessments. Additionally, the workshop will focus on empirically supported treatments and the role of group, individual, family, and ecological intervention strategies.

Dr. Miner received his Ph.D. in Psychology from St. Louis University, Missouri. He is currently Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health. Dr. Miner began his work in sex offender research in 1986 as the research psychologist for California’s Sex Offender Treatment and Evaluation Project and joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota’s Program in Human Sexuality (PHS) in 1992. Dr. Miner coordinated sex offender treatment at PHS until 2008 and currently coordinates forensic assessment services. He serves on the Executive Board of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers and was Vice President of the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders until September 2008. Dr. Miner is a recipient of the Professional Services Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Dr. Miner’s research has been supported by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Justice, and the National Institute of Mental Health.