Events

Recognizing and Responding to Behavioral Addiction
Amanda Giordano, PhD., LPC
Friday February 20, 2026
8:30am to 12:30pm

** Training will be virtual via Zoom **

Behavioral addictions such as gaming, gambling, sex, pornography, social media, and food affect a substantial number of individuals, yet many clinicians have not received formal training on how to recognize and respond to behavioral addictions. In this virtual workshop, attendees will learn how to conceptualize, recognize, and effectively respond to behavioral addictions. Specifically, the presenter will describe the neuroscience of behavioral addictions, criteria of behavioral addictions, a public health model to aid in conceptualization, and several treatment considerations. The presenter will emphasize the nature, progression, and treatment of sex and pornography addiction in this workshop.

– Attendees will be able to describe the evolving definition of addiction and conceptualize behavioral addictions using a public health model.

– Attendees will be able to explain the criteria for behavioral addictions and how to differentiate between high involvement in a behavior and a behavioral addiction.

– Attendees will be able to synthesize current research and relevant neuroscience related to the prevalence and nature of behavioral addictions, with an emphasis on sex and pornography addiction.

Registration Fees :
NJATSA Member – $10
NJATSA Member 3 Social Work CEUs – $40
NJATSA Member 3 Psychology CEs – $40
Non-Member – $20
Non-Member 3 Social Work CEUs – $60
Non-Member 3 Psychology CEs – $60

** REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY 2/19/25 AT 12:00PM **

Minor-Attracted People: Fostering Compassion and Competence Across Professional Disciplines

Presented by Nadav Antebi-Gruszka (Nadav Antebi), PhD, LMHC, LPC

This 5-hour workshop equips professionals across diverse fields with the knowledge and tools to work compassionately and competently with minor-attracted people (MAPs). Participants will explore the multidimensional nature of attraction to minors, examine the unique mental health needs and challenges faced by MAPs, and analyze how stigma and bias shape clinical and systemic responses. Through lecture, discussion, and case-based learning, attendees will learn about strategies to address bias and apply best practices in various professional settings.

The content of this workshop is clinical in nature because it focuses on improving participants’ competence, awareness, and applied skills when working with an underprivileged and marginalized client population—minor-attracted people (MAPs)—within professional and therapeutic contexts. The training directly addresses the assessment, conceptualization, and intervention strategies relevant to clinical practice, as well as bias mitigation and the development of affirming therapeutic care.

Participants will learn to:

• Identify and understand the unique mental health needs and stressors experienced by MAP clients.
• Apply evidence-based best practice guidelines for supporting MAPs, including mandated reporting considerations, addressing stigma-related distress, and fostering resilience.
• Recognize and address countertransference and bias that may arise in clinical work to enhance treatment effectiveness.
• Integrate these competencies into psychotherapeutic, counseling, and assessment settings in line with professional standards.

While the workshop also includes content designed to enhance broader professional understanding and advocacy, the majority of the training focuses on direct clinical application of principles in therapy and mental health settings.

• Understanding the multidimensional nature of attraction to minors – Theoretical and diagnostic framing of MAP attraction patterns as they relate to clinical conceptualization (1.0 hour, Clinical)
• Mental health needs and challenges of MAPs – Assessment of MAP clients’ mental health profiles, coping strategies, and comorbidities (1.0 hour, Clinical)
• Sources of bias and stigma toward MAPs – Exploration of social and clinician bias and the ethical implications for treatment (0.5 hour, Clinical)
• Strategies to mitigate bias in practice – Evidence-based methods for addressing clinician bias and strengthening the therapeutic alliance (1 hour, Clinical)
• Applying best practice guidelines (case study) – Interactive case-based application of assessment, treatment planning, and support techniques (1.0 hour, Clinical)
• Clinical advocacy, language, and interdisciplinary collaboration – Application of advocacy and affirming language within treatment, supervision, and interdisciplinary clinical practice (0.5 hour, Clinical)

Course Objectives:

1. Explain the multidimensional nature of attraction to minors
2. List at least three unique mental health needs and challenges of MAPs
3. Identify two common sources of bias or stigma toward MAPs
4. Describe at least one strategy professionals can use to mitigate bias in their practice
5. Apply at least four best practice guidelines in working with MAPs (using a case study)

Curriculum Vitae – Nadav Antebi-Gruszka

Presented by Alexander Rodrigues