Host Teresa Huizar speaks with Dr. Jamie Yoder of Colorado State University about how adversity and trauma increase risk for teens’ problematic sexual behaviors and how trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) can be leveraged to expand treatment resources and reduce punitive responses. Yoder describes her clinical background with justice-involved youth and emphasizes that trauma is a major, though not causal, risk factor linked through intermediaries like attachment disruptions, executive functioning impacts, and trauma symptoms. They discuss why trauma has been poorly integrated into PSB interventions due to adult-like assumptions and punishment-oriented systems, then review Yoder’s pilot testing TF-CBT across community and residential/justice settings, highlighting feasibility, the need for agency buy-in and readiness, and the role of caregiver involvement. The conversation underscores caregiver shame, clinician bias and support needs, and calls for trauma-informed, rehabilitative approaches and broader systems change.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Episode Overview

01:58 Jamie’s Path to PSB Work

05:35 How Trauma Raises Risk

09:10 Why Trauma Was Ignored

13:53 Testing TF-CBT in Settings

18:34 Caregivers and Engagement

22:48 Study Results and Meaning

26:06 Shame as Treatment Target

31:51 Clinician Bias and Support

35:53 Trauma Informed Treatment Plans

40:14 Recommendations and Systems Change

45:33 Closing and Resources

Resources:

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents with Problem Sexual Behaviors: Feasibility and Acceptability for Alleviating Traumatic Stress, Regulation Problems, and Sexual Behavior Problems | Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma | Springer Nature Link

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