In the Space Between Harm and Healing: The Power of the Therapeutic Relationship with Individuals Who Have Caused Sexual Harm - Thursday February 5, 2026

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Presentation Description

This presentation will explore the therapeutic relationship as the true ground for healing with individuals who have caused sexual harm. It will highlight how resistance and transference can illuminate hidden truths, how countertransference and vulnerability can guide deeper attunement, and how balancing empathy with accountability can dismantle cycles of shame.

Participants will leave with practical strategies for navigating the ethical and emotional complexities of this work, as well as renewed recognition of the transformative power of relationship – healing for clients, and growth for the counselors who walk beside them.

CE Hours: 2
Date: Thursday February 5, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Café at the Monmouth University Graduate Center, 185 NJ-36, Building C, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Presenter: Kristen Robertori MS, LPC, NCC, DRCC

Presenter Information:

Kristen Robertori MS, LPC, NCC, DRCC - For more than two decades, Kristen Robertori has been captivated by the stories that most people try to ignore – those of individuals who have caused sexual harm. Her focus is not sensationalism, but the hidden complexities beneath the surface: trauma histories, fractured relationships, and the patterns that shape behavior. Kristen believes that even in the darkest circumstances, accountability and healing can coexist, and that recognizing this tension is central to meaningful change. In her work with justice-involved populations, Kristen has witnessed firsthand the ways trauma can both constrain and catalyze growth. She has guided clients through therapeutic spaces that prioritize understanding, empathy, and human dignity, helping them to confront painful truths while imagining more prosocial, meaningful lives. For her, the transformative moments in therapy are not only about client progress – they are moments that challenge and expand the professional too. Kristen’s commitment extends beyond therapy. Through teaching, mentorship, and advocacy, she works to shift how professionals understand and engage with these populations, encouraging approaches that move beyond fear, judgment, and stigma. Her work is guided by the belief that the capacity for change is universal, that relational connection is healing, and that even the most difficult human stories hold the potential to foster growth, insight, and transformation.