Guidance and Resources
Browse trusted, research-based, information and resources to support teens, families, and professionals.
Provide Protection & Guidance By Being Informed
I offer a variety of resources, providing information on healthy sexual development, how to talk to children and teens about online and real life relationships and sexual topics, and how to recognize and respond to problematic sexual behavior.
Resources for You
I offer a variety of resources, providing information on healthy sexual development, how to talk to children and teens about relationships and sexual topics, and how to recognize and respond to problematic sexual behavior.
The resources are designed to support youth in developing healthy connection and intimacy skills by increasing their knowledge, strengthening communication, and helping them identify trusted adults for guidance and support. From a clinical perspective, these tools can help youth build the capacity to form relationships grounded in consent, mutual respect, emotional awareness, personal values, and integrity. They also promote developmentally appropriate decision-making so teens can navigate sexuality and relationships in ways that are informed, respectful, and aligned with their sense of self and care for others.
Developmentally Appropriate Sexual Behavior
Sexual Development and Behavior
Humans are inherently sexual beings, with sexual development beginning in utero and continuing throughout life. While sexuality is biologically rooted, sexual behavior is shaped by social learning and reinforced by physiological and psychosocial factors. Attitudes about what is considered appropriate sexual behavior vary widely across cultures, religions, laws, and family beliefs. As a result, parents or caregivers may not always view normative sexual behaviors as acceptable. In this context, “normative sexual behavior” refers to behaviors that are typical or developmentally expected for a specific developmental stage—not the preferences or values of a particular individual or group.
Healthy Childhood Sexual Development
When adults understand the difference between developmentally expected, healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors, they are better prepared to support healthy development and respond effectively to teachable moments. Recognizing behaviors that are developmentally typical at different stages of childhood—rather than viewing them through an adult lens of sexuality—helps adults respond appropriately and identify when intervention may be needed due to concerning behavior or potential abuse.
Youth With Problematic Sexual Behavior
Youth with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) are children and adolescents who engage in sexual behaviors that fall outside typical developmental norms. Unlike age-appropriate curiosity or kids playing doctor, PSB involves intrusive, persistent, aggressive, or coercive behaviors that may cause harm to the youth or others. PSB may also include behaviors that are frequent, resistant to parental intervention, or occur between youth of significantly different ages or abilities. With proper assessment and treatment, improvement is possible. Rest assured, there is hope through proper assessment and treatment. The first step is a clinical evaluation to examine sexual behavior, functioning, and other needs.
What If I Discover Something Concerning?
Discovering that your child has a problematic sexual behavior can be worrisome and even overwhelming. It can bring about a flood of emotions, from anger to sadness, denial, shame and guilt. Having the right help and support is vital to helping your child and assisting you in gaining a sense of hope for the future. You are not alone. Help is available.
What Can I Do To Help My Child?
Your child needs your support now more than ever. It is important to remember that the sexual behavior does not define your child. Indeed, research shows that with targeted treatment and good parental guidance, supervision and support, most youth will not engage in further problematic sexual behavior. There are concrete steps you can take to help your child. Most youth whose families complete treatment can lead safe, happy, successful lives, both as children, teens, and later as adults. Parental support and guidance are vital to achieving positive outcomes. If there is legal involvement, parents may decide to seek the counsel of an attorney to help them understand the legal process and protect their child’s rights.
How Will Treatment Help My Child?
Treatment for children and teens with problematic sexual behavior offers many benefits. Youth often gain reassurance that they are not alone, along with a clearer understanding of boundaries, consent, and the impact of their behavior on others. Families frequently report improved caregiver-child communication and increased confidence in helping youth manage behavior. Treatment also builds skills in perspective-taking, empathy, social functioning, self-awareness, and self-regulation, while providing healthy, age-appropriate, cognitively congruent sex education. Therapy addresses the problematic behavior in a trauma-informed manner, with the goal of reducing the risk of future problematic sexual and non-sexual behaviors.