Preferred registration deadline: October 16th

3 CEs

Sex trafficking survivors often present with complex and intersecting needs shaped by trauma, culture, identity, systemic inequities, and barriers to accessing care. Mental health professionals play a critical role in providing services that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in survivor-centered principles. However, professionals may face challenges in recognizing trafficking experiences, addressing cultural considerations, and responding effectively to the unique needs of impacted individuals.

This workshop will provide clinicians with in-depth, practical knowledge and evidence-informed strategies for working with individuals who have experienced sex trafficking. Participants will explore the prevalence and dynamics of sex trafficking, profiles of offenders and impacted individuals, common psychological, psychosomatic, behavioral presentations, and the influence of cultural, social, and systemic factors on survivors' experiences and help-seeking behaviors. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, socioeconomic factors, and historical experiences of marginalization may shape client presentation and engagement in counseling. Ethical considerations, clinician self-awareness, and strategies for avoiding re-traumatization while fostering empowerment, resilience, and recovery will also be discussed. Participants will leave with enhanced knowledge and awareness, actionable tools and best practices to enhance their cultural responsiveness and clinical effectiveness when supporting sex trafficking-impacted individuals across a variety of clinical settings.

This workshop meets the social work licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in diversity/cultural competency/humility. This is an interactive synchronous distance learning course via Zoom.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, Public Health workers, other mental health providers, nurses, School Social Workers, individuals working with youth, non-profit professionals, policy makers

Agenda:

• Welcome - 5 mins
• Sex Trafficking: Overview, Terminology and Statistics: global and national – 10 mins
• Sex Trafficking in MO/St. Louis – 10 mins
• Who are the Victims and Who are the Perpetrators – 25 mins
• Risk factors - 10 mins
• Clinical implications - 15 mins
• Presenting problems and Assessment - 25 mins
• Ethical Implications - 10 mins
• Effective approaches and Clinical Challenges - 30 mins
• Case Analysis and Discussion - 30 mins
• Closing and Q&A - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Describe key terminology, historical context, prevalence, impact, and current statistical trends related to sex trafficking.
• Recognize the role of intersectionality and identify risk factors, contributing influences, and common characteristics associated with victim and offender presentations in sex trafficking cases.
• Identify culturally responsive and trauma-informed strategies for recognizing, engaging, and supporting individuals affected by sex trafficking in practice settings.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, 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: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancellation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries, please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.