Fix My Teen… But Keep Me in the Loop
Presenter: Braxton Dutson, LCSW, CST-S
Date: September 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM MT
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Content Level: Beginner
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Certificates Available: ASWB/ACE, AASECT, THGI
Course Description
This training provides a practical introduction to sex therapy with teens, focusing on how to navigate the often-complex triangle between therapist, parent, and adolescent. Participants will explore how to balance confidentiality and consent, establish trust with teens, and communicate effectively with caregivers who may have strong fears or expectations. Attendees will leave with concrete frameworks, phrases, and strategies they can immediately apply in clinical work.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Construct a balanced clinical communication framework for both a teenager and their parent during the first three sessions of therapy.
Apply at least three specific verbal boundary-setting techniques to effectively navigate sensitive clinical topics within the parent-teen therapeutic triangle.
Apply systemic strategies to balance adolescent confidentiality with parental involvement, utilizing Motivational Interviewing.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training presents a limited amount of information and is not intended to be comprehensive; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. The training will be delivered via an online platform, and there are no anticipated risks beyond those typically associated with online learning environments. Some content is based on emerging research that has not yet reached full consensus in the peer-reviewed literature, and the evidence base may have limitations in generalizability across diverse populations, cultures, or practice settings. Content reflects information available at the time of development, and practitioners are encouraged to stay current with evolving research and regulatory standards. Benefits include an increase in participants' understanding of the subject matter and their ability to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Attendees will gain foundational knowledge and practical skills that build upon their existing training, and the course promotes compassionate, inclusive care while supporting participants in maintaining and developing the professional competencies needed to improve services to the public.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training addresses how implicit bias may affect clinical decision-making, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment planning, and includes content on how to adapt evidence-based interventions to be culturally responsive and relevant. Throughout the presentation, the training promotes the use of inclusive, affirming, and non-stigmatizing language when working with diverse populations.
Course Content
This training presents foundational, introductory-level content and covers evidence-based intervention and treatment methods along with the ethical, legal, statutory, and regulatory standards relevant to working within the parent-teen therapeutic triangle. Content is delivered through lecture and didactic instruction, with a live question-and-answer session with the presenter.
Relevance
This training addresses content directly applicable to social work clinical practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning, and builds upon foundational knowledge gained through a completed graduate-level degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related mental health field. It addresses ethical responsibilities and standards as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics and covers content related to human behavior and the social environment, including theories and concepts relevant to direct practice with children and families. This training is relevant to professionals across mental health disciplines, including licensed social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
About the Presenter
Braxton Dutson, LCSW, CST-S, is a licensed clinical social worker and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist at The Healing Group in Salt Lake City, Utah. He holds a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and has completed over 300 hours of post-graduate training in sex therapy. Braxton is a Certified Mind-Body Bridging therapist, is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, and is certified as a 4-D therapist. His clinical work focuses on adolescent issues, out-of-control sexual behavior, and helping individuals and couples build healthier communication and relationship skills. Braxton hosts the Birds and Bees Podcast, a sexual and relationship health podcast for couples and parents, and facilitates a monthly fathers' group focused on parenting and family communication. He is also an active advocate for survivors of sexual assault in the Salt Lake City community.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction with live Q&A
Posttest/quiz: Because this is a live course, a standard posttest is not required. Participation will be monitored throughout the session.
Certificate issuance: Certificates of credit will be issued immediately after course completion to participants who attend the full session and complete the course evaluation.
Contact for questions: institute@thehealinggroup.com
Accessibility accommodations: To request accessibility accommodations, please contact institute@thehealinggroup.com prior to the event. We are committed to making our trainings accessible to all participants.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Braxton Dutson has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
ASWB ACE Statement:
The Healing Group Institute, provider number 2716, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/31/26 – 3/31/27. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.
AASECT CKA:
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors in relation to sexual values and behaviors
N. Learning theory and its application
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact info@aasect.org.