Would've, Could've, Should've: Reflecting on Age Gap, Power, and IPV in Adolescent Relationships

Themes of recent songs by Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato demonstrate the wisdom they each now have as adults when reflecting on age-discrepant relationships as teenagers. Swift writes in Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve, “If you would've blinked then I would've, looked away at the first glance. If you tasted poison, you could've spit me out at the first chance. If I was some paint, did it splatter, on a promising grown man? And if I was a child, did it matter, if you got to wash your hands? All I used to do was pray, would've, could've, should've, if you'd never looked my way.” And Lovato writes...Read more in 29, “Finally twenty-nine, Seventeen would never cross my mind, Thought it was a teenage dream, a fantasy, But it was yours, it wasn't mine.” Research typically reflects greater prevalence of adult/teen relationships in low income populations, but social media responses to both of these songs reflects a more common experience in a variety of populations.

This presentation delves into the complex and multifaceted subject of age-discrepant relationships, power dynamics, and intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescent relationships to shed light on the prevalence of adults dating teenagers, the potential harms, and how survivors of these relationships perceive them in adulthood. Additionally, the presentation provides essential clinical skills for therapists who work with survivors of IPV and specifically adults that have experienced age gap relationships during their teenage years. By understanding these dynamics and impacts, therapists can develop informed and tailored interventions that facilitate healing and growth for survivors of these relationships during their teenage years. Through empathetic and skillful therapeutic practices, therapists play a vital role in supporting survivors on their journey toward recovery and empowerment. Less...

Learning Objectives

  • After this presentation, learners will be able to identify 2 unique harms of adult/teen relationships.
  • Learners will be able to explain 3 perspectives that adult survivors have of their experiences.
  • Learners will be able to demonstrate how reconstructing clients narratives can assist in making sense of their past and fostering resilience.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT's.

Learning Levels

  • Beginner, Intermediate

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Live Interactive Webinar

09:00 AM EDT - 12:00 PM EDT

Register for this Webinar
EARN 3 CE Credit Hours

About the speaker

Dr. Tiffany Gilmore, LCSW, MFT, M.DIV.

Dr. Tiffany Gilmore, LCSW, MFT, M.DIV.

Professional Development Manager, Staff Therapist
Dr. Tiffany Gilmore is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and leading sex and relationship specialist in New Jersey. In her roles as a therapist, sex educator, pastor, and researcher, she has helped numerous couples and individuals enhance their sexual experiences, strengthen their relationships, achieve deepened levels of intimacy, and harmonize their sexuality with their spirituality. At D’Ivad Zzen Therapy Boutique, Dr. Tiffany specializes in treating the residue of spiritual abuse, sexual trauma, relationship discord, and attachment injuries. Dr. Gilmore’s research and civil engagement focuses on marginalized populations. She is a recognized leader in the New Jersey Children’s System of Care, where she has held leadership roles, was involved in program compliance, leadership development and trainings. Further, she is an Adjunct Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Program at Eastern University and is actively involved in the faith community. As a founding board member of the nonprofit New Life Holistic Ministries, Dr. Tiffany has also engaged in program development initiatives involving services for individuals that have experienced human trafficking, as well as at risk youth within the therapeutic foster care system. Within this nonprofit sector, Tiffany has also engaged in curriculum development and trainings. Dr. Tiffany accepted the appointment to serve as a founding member of the Therapist Development Center’s CE Oversite Committee. In her role, she endeavors to ensure therapists receive valuable course content that will perpetuate clinical excellence. Dr. Tiffany also accepted the appointment to serve as a Co-Ambassador for Clinicians of Color Northeast Region in 2024.

CE Information - Earn 3 CE Credit Hours

CE Approvals

American Psychological Association
Council for Relationships is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Council for Relationships maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification.

Council for Relationships # 11-111A.

Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT Certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org.

CE Process Info


CFR is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists and other mental health professionals whose state licensing boards recognize CE credit provided by APA-approved sponsors. The following entities accept continuing education credits provided by APA-approved sponsors: The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors; the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Examiners; the Delaware State Board of Professional Counselors of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals; the Delaware State Board of Social Work Examiners. Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by his/her licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) to earn CE credits.

Before the event, you will receive an email from CE-Go with access to the virtual event. After the event, you will receive access to your evaluation and continuing education certificate via a personalized "attendee dashboard" link, hosted on the CE-Go website. This link and access to the virtual event will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.

Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:

  • Complete evaluation forms for the event
  • Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ce-go.com".

If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact your event organizer.

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