NCJ Number
177705
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 221-239
Date Published
1999
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A sex offender assessment and treatment program is described that is a representative variant of cognitive-behavioral programs in North America, programs that are constantly evolving as new information becomes available.
Abstract
Prior to 1970, the approach to the assessment and treatment of sex offenders was derived from psychoanalytic therapy or group psychotherapy. With the advent of behavior therapy, an empirical approach to the assessment and treatment of sex offenders was introduced, and this began a trend toward a more comprehensive view of the problems of sex offenders. Clinicians in North America have now developed multifaceted programs that evaluate and treat a broad range of difficulties considered to be functionally related to deviant practices of sex offenders. The following issues are the most commonly addressed in these programs: life history revealing the origin of current problems, sexual functioning (including appropriate and deviant activities and fantasies), empathy, cognitive distortions and dysfunctional attitudes, social and relationship skills, self-esteem, substance use and abuse, and anger. Sex offender assessment procedures in these programs include interviews, psychological tests, and phallometry. Treatment is typically conducted in groups within a relapse prevention framework. 98 references and 4 tables