Teenage relational violence – A framework for recognition, assessment, and prevention

Strengthen your clinical approach to youth relational violence, cyber-bullying, family impact and mental health with evidence-based research and actionable clinical insights.

On-demand access information: This program will be recorded during the live webinar on July 8, 2026. The on-demand version will be released once the recording is prepared. Pre-register now to reserve your spot, and you will receive access instructions by email when it becomes available (anticipated end of July 2026).

This training is suitable for:

• Mental Health Professionals: psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers.
• Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors.
• Educators: teachers, ECE, school administration, support staff

Client category: Professionals working with individuals 12 years to adulthood.

Level of training: Introductory/Intermediate

CE hours: 10

Teenage relational violence: Overview

Adolescents today must navigate a world shaped by digital relationships, social pressures, and rapidly changing expectations around identity and connection. These pressures effect both boys and girls, but this training will focus on the impact on boys. One consequence of these changes is a rise in relational violence, leaving clinicians and educators wondering what they can do to prevent its spread.

The critically acclaimed Netflix series, “Adolescence” captivated audiences with its raw portrayal of teenage life, relational violence, and youth identity—and sparked critical conversations among clinicians, educators, and families. Conversations that continue in this training. Using the series as a springboard, this course offers a unique opportunity to explore the psychological, social, and systemic contributors to adolescent relational violence through a clinically informed lens.

This timely, skills-based training equips mental health professionals with evidence-informed tools to recognize and assess teens at risk of relational aggression. Through a case-based discussion anchored in the Netflix series, “Adolescence”, participants gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between trauma, peer pressures, parental confusion, and digital influences such as “the manosphere”. Each session blends developmental theory with practical application, offering tools participants can use in clinical settings.

“What does it take to push a seemingly normal teen over the edge? This course will offer a practical approach to understanding the teen male psyche. In the process, both the complexity and simplicity of an answer will become apparent.” – Dr. Marshall Korenblum

Learning objectives:

• Core drivers of teen relational violence, including distorted masculinity and the need to impose social hierarchies.
• The impact of social media, cyberbullying, and online echo chambers (including “the manosphere”).
• Hallmarks of effective clinical assessments and red flags of the transition from ideology to action.
• Appreciate the impact of teen violence on parents and teachers.
• Understand ways in which we can improve the safety and security of today’s teenagers.

Training format: This course uses a flipped-classroom model. Participants independently watch two episodes of Netflix’s Adolescence. These serve as a springboard for discussion and clinical application throughout the training.

Participants will need independent access to Netflix to view the recommended episodes.

The recorded sessions include:

• A facilitator-led reflective group exercise in which participants explore clinical issues raised by each episode through peer consultation.
• An academic debrief led by Dr. Marshall Korenblum, synthesizing research, practice insights, and actionable strategies.

Overview of session topics and discussion themes:

Day 1: Pre-watch episodes 1 and 2

The Roots of Relational Violence. How at-risk teens can appear quite “normal”; the disconnect between fathers and sons; how little parents know about their adolescents’ lives.

Social Pressures in School and On-line (cyber-bullying). Who’s in charge? Teachers or students?; If/when adults are ineffective or unavailable, who/what fills the void?; Anonymity and speed—why cyber-bullying is so harmful; society’s over-emphasis on appearance.

Selected scenes from Episodes 1 and 2 are used to anchor discussion and deepen reflection.

Day 2: Pre-watch episodes 3 and 4

Assessing Mental Health in a Relational Context—Identify the effective elements of an assessment of potential relational violence.

Family Trauma and Societal Impact—Parental guilt, shame, and confusion when their child has committed a crime; the power of denial in families; understand how a youth’s behaviour both effects and is effected by his caregivers; how to support families through a trauma journey; understand the ubiquity of societal factors (e.g., “incel” culture) and fragmented systems of care.

Selected scenes from Episodes 3 and 4 are used to anchor discussion and deepen reflection.

This training provides practical clinical skills to better engage with teens and create meaningful change for them and their families when trying to prevent and address relational violence. Whether you work in community settings, schools, or hospitals, this training will deepen your clinical understanding and provide new perspectives, thus empowering you to better handle the psychological needs of adolescent boys today.

Register today to build essential skills and insights to better support teens and families navigating the complex realities of adolescent violence and mental health.

Upon registration, participants will receive a confirmation email that includes access information to our on-demand training platform, SickKids Academy Online. Participants will have access for 90 days from the date they begin the course on SickKids Academy Online. Following the training, participants are required to complete a quiz to receive the Certificate of Participation.

This program was originally recorded on July 8, 2026.

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