Speakers & Schedule
Conference Schedule
Heal Young Minds Conference Agenda (6.25 CE Hours)
Date: March 13, 2026
Location: Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Conference Summary:
This conference equips counselors, mental health professionals, and other front-line responders with the knowledge and strategies needed to address the growing impact of online sexualized content and pornography exposure on children and adolescents. Drawing from current research, sessions will explore how early exposure affects neurodevelopment, behavior, and relationships. Participants will strengthen their ability to recognize indicators of sexual trauma, identify problematic sexual behaviors (PSB), and apply evidence-based interventions, best practices, and therapeutic approaches that foster healing and resilience in youth.
Heal Young Minds Conference has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Defend Young Minds is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-5161.
Conference Objectives:
Upon completion the participants will be able to:
describe the impact of online pornography on the developing brains, bodies, and behaviors of children.
recognize signs of sexual trauma, identify problematic sexual behaviors, and assess problematic pornography use.
identify evidence-based resources and techniques that promote healing and recovery in children impacted by pornography exposure.
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Check-In, Exhibits, Coffee
8:50 AM – 9:00 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
Presenter: Kristen Jenson, MA
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
(1.0 CE hour)
Pornography as Sexual Mis-education: Implications for Adolescent Development and Clinical Practice
Presenter: Melea Stephens, LPC, MMFT
Session Summary: This session will examine current trends and research on the impact of today’s mainstream internet pornography on youth development, relationships, and society. Drawing on neuroscience and social science findings, we will explore how early exposure to sexually explicit content affects the developing brain, contributes to compulsive sexual behavior, and influences physical and mental health, self-esteem, academic performance, and social functioning. The session will also highlight how pornography acts as a form of sexual mis-education, shaping young people’s sexual templates, expectations, and behaviors in harmful ways. Finally, we will discuss the growing movement of youth who, once informed, are becoming active voices in countering sexual exploitation and the harms of hardcore pornography.
Session Objectives: Upon completion, the participants will be able to:
Acquire a general understanding of current neuroscience and social science research on the detrimental effects of youth pornography consumption on the developing brain, relationships and society, including its connection to other forms of sexual exploitation.
Recognize and analyze current maladaptive trends stemming from early exposure to pornography.
Explain how mainstream pornography functions as a form of sex mis-education, influencing sexual development, expectations, and behaviors among youth.
10:00 AM – 10:10 AM
Break
10:10 AM – 11:25 AM
(1.25 CE hours)
Exposure to Adult Pornography: The Normalization of Sexual Harm
Presenter: Sharon Cooper, MD, FAAP
Session Summary: This presentation examines the developmental and behavioral ramifications associated with children’s exposure to online pornography. When children view pornography, they are exposed to behaviors that far exceed their developmental capacity to understand or process. Such exposure can lead to imitation with peers or younger children, addiction, and in some cases, legally chargeable acts. The session will also explore how children exposed to pornography may engage in problematic sexual behavior and experience social exclusion from normal peer environments. Dr. Cooper will also discuss how fixation on explicit sexual scripts can contribute to social isolation, increase exploitation, and hinder healthy relationships.
Session Objectives: Upon completion, the participants will be able to:
Examine how exposure to adult sexual content disrupts normal psychosexual development and contributes to the emergence of problematic sexual behaviors or peer-directed sexualized acts.
Participants will be able to recognize how early exposure and imitation behaviors can place children at risk for juvenile justice involvement, disciplinary action, and social exclusion.
Participants will be able to identify how fixation on explicit sexual scripts can lead to social isolation, vulnerability to online exploitation, and difficulty forming healthy peer and relational connections.
11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
Lunch Break
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
(1.0 CE hour)
Interview and Assessment: Practical Approaches for Professionals
Presenters: Heidi Olson, MSN, RN, CPN, SANE-P and Melea Stephens, LPC, MMFT
Session Summary: This session equips participants to recognize and respond to pornography-related trauma in children and adolescents. Presenters will discuss practical strategies for screening, building rapport, and asking trauma-informed questions that promote safety and trust. Drawing from clinical examples, participants will explore the importance of early identification, informed consent, and appropriate referral practices. The session emphasizes nonjudgmental communication, collaboration with caregivers, and adherence to reporting laws. Attendees will gain actionable screening tools to identify at-risk youth, apply trauma-informed interventions, and strengthen their confidence in addressing this complex and increasingly prevalent issue in clinical and community settings.
Session Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify the signs and symptoms of pornography-related trauma in children and adolescents during healthcare and mental health assessments.
Participants will be able to build rapport and reduce shame during assessment.
Participants will be able to apply appropriate reporting, documentation, and referral procedures to support affected youth and families.
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
(1.0 CE hour)
Creative Counseling Interventions for Children Affected by Porn Exposure
Presenters: Shelby DeBause, MA, LMFT, CTTP & Kristen Jenson, MA, Founder and CEO of Defend Young Minds and Best-Selling Author
Session Summary: This session explores how early sexualization and pornography exposure impact children’s emotional and developmental health. Participants will learn to integrate creative, evidence-based interventions—using didactic, artistic, and kinesthetic methods—into their counseling practice. The session also empowers professionals to guide and equip caregivers with practical tools to foster open, healthy conversations and build resilience at home.
Session Objectives:
Participants will be able to recognize the developmental and emotional impacts of early sexualization and pornography exposure on children.
Participants will be able to apply didactic, artistic, and kinesthetic interventions into counseling practice with affected children.
Participants will be able to equip caregivers with practical strategies to reinforce healthy conversations and promote resilience at home.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Break (Submit Questions for Panel)
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
(1.0 CE hour)
Live Demonstrations: Interview and Response Scenarios
Presenters: Heidi Olson, MSN, RN, CPN, SANE-P, Shelby DeBause, MA, LMFT, CTTP & Melea Stephens, LPC, MMFT with Actors
Session Summary: This interactive session features live demonstrations of trauma-informed assessment and counseling techniques for children and families affected by pornography exposure. Through realistic role-play scenarios with actors, participants observe how to build rapport, obtain consent, and ask sensitive screening questions. Presenters model therapeutic interventions for children, effective communication with parents, and strategies for promoting healing within the family system. By watching these practical examples unfold, attendees gain concrete tools to improve confidence, compassion, and clinical effectiveness when supporting youth impacted by online sexual content and related trauma.
Session Objectives:
Participants will be able to apply the assessment tools and skills learned during the live demonstrations.
Participants will be able to utilize the rapport building skills demonstrated with their own patients and clients.
Participants will be able to compare what approaches are most effective with their own clients.